Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes (Ret.) is a highly experienced senior executive,
attorney, retired judge, Independent Board member, and Qualified Financial
Expert.
She has a demonstrated history of leading large organizations with complex
management structures and marketplace challenges. Judge Cardwell Hughes is
particularly skilled in Strategic Leadership, Nonprofit Organizations, Coaching,
Government Relations, Fund Development, Conflict Resolution, effective P&L
Management, Board Development, Public Relations and Crisis Management. She has
deep experience with Media Relations across all formats. She is a strong
business development professional, with a JD from Georgetown University Law
School.
Judge Hughes completed an engagement as President and CEO of Opportunities
Industrialization Center, Inc. (Philadelphia OIC), a workforce development
non-profit that impacts the lives of more than 1,500 individuals annually in
2021. Previously, Judge Hughes was the CEO of The Hughes Group, whose mission
was to help management teams refine, internalize and execute their corporate
mission. Her clients included Independence Blue Cross, and Aqua America. Her
other leadership roles include CEO of the fourth largest market in the $3
billion American Red Cross system.
Judge Hughes’s legal background includes more than fifteen years as a Trial
Judge handling both civil and criminal cases. She received her legal degree from
Georgetown University Law Center, after completing her undergraduate studies at
the University of Virginia.
She has received numerous awards for her leadership, courage, and community
involvement. In 2022 Judge received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from
Thomas Jefferson University. She was inducted into the International Women in
Homeland Security and Emergency Management 2013 Hall of Fame. She was recognized
by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Minority Business Leader. In 2014
Philadelphia Style Magazine named her one of the City’s Power Women, and in 2016
Renée was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Woman of
Distinction. Renée was selected as the Pearl S. Buck International 2018 Woman of
Influence. In 2020 Renée was selected as an African American Leader of Influence
by the Philadelphia Tribune and in 2021, Philadelphia Business Journal
recognized her as one of the Philadelphia POWER 100.