Above & Beyond
The 2026 Above & Beyond: Social Services
Notable New Yorkers caring for those in need.
City & State presents 2026 Above & Beyond: Social Services. Farrell Fritz; Ian Johnston; Greg Apisson, Elite Studios
The social services sector plays a critical role in New York. Facing such challenges as widening inequality, rising homelessness and an aging population, city and state governments often rely heavily on nonprofit organizations to provide care for the neediest among us. Social services nonprofits offer everything from mental and behavioral health services to programs for young children, teenagers and older adults to services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – and much more. The sector makes up a significant share of the economy, although many nonprofits struggle to secure funding, get paid in a timely manner and recruit enough workers to carry out their work.
City & State’s third annual Above & Beyond: Social Services puts a spotlight on notable individuals in this integral sector: savvy CEOs and executive directors finding new ways to reach those in need; policy wonks pressing for more efficient processes and streamlined procurement procedures; government officials in important oversight roles; and consultants and specialists helping nonprofits focus on carrying out their missions.
We’re pleased to introduce the 2026 Above & Beyond: Social Services.
– profiles by Amanda Salazar
Lauren Aaronson
While technology can improve operations, how people use it determines the size of its impact. Amazon Web Services’ Lauren Aaronson is passionate about partnering with government to use technology to improve outcomes. By modernizing old systems, service providers can spend less time cutting through red tape and more time connecting with people.
Aaronson previously spent more than 25 years at the New York City Department of Social Services, enhancing functionality and developing human-centered tools that improved benefits access and workforce development.
“It’s not about technology for technology’s sake,” she says. “It’s about recognizing that when a system works better, the ripple effects are human: a parent gets benefits processed quicker, a caseworker can focus on meaningful conversations, not data entry.”
Samantha Baksh
At the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens, Samantha Baksh guides the organization in operational decisions that will best aid the children and teenagers it serves. Baksh, who joined the organization in 2013, oversees organizational strategy, human resources, facilities and more, allowing her to drive programming and efficiency in support of the organization’s programs, such as athletics and after-school programming, and its mission of helping children reach their full academic, social and leadership potential.
“I am inspired by the opportunity to create safe, enriching environments where children and families can thrive,” she says. “Knowing that the systems, teams and programs I help build have a lasting impact on young people’s lives motivates me to lead with purpose every day.”
Cathy Batista
Access to affordable housing is a multifaceted issue, and one of the biggest hurdles is confusing and protracted government paperwork. Cathy Batista strives to simplify the process for clients at Anthos Home, a nonprofit dedicated to streamlining the housing voucher process for tenants and landlords.
Batista, who previously held roles at Covenant House New York, Lantern Community Services and Brooklyn Community Services, now oversees programs that help voucher-holding shelter residents move into permanent housing.
“I love building programs and services that move communities toward housing stability,” she says. “From cultivating organization culture to partnering with city and government partners, the work is about households finding their way home and building the infrastructure to help them there.”
Shauntee Byron
Shauntee’ Byron oversees programs at homeless services nonprofit Jericho Project with compassion informed by years of clinical experience and inspired by her clients’ resilience. Jericho Project helps veterans and families facing homelessness find housing and economic stability in other areas of their lives.
Byron also guides budding social workers as an adjunct professor at Monroe University and as a mentor with the Readying Emerging Leaders in Supportive Housing program for mid-career housing services workers.
“I love creating opportunities for individuals and families to achieve housing stability and self-sufficiency,” she says. “Leading programs that serve veterans, families, single adults and young adults allows me to support dedicated teams while making a lasting, positive impact in the lives of those we serve.”
Shani Chill
Shani Chill is dedicated to positioning children with disabilities to reach their full potential.
Chill is chief of education at YAI, a New York City nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she connects clients to comprehensive and individualized education. Chill oversees educational programming, compliance and growth at the organization’s iHOPE and Manhattan Star Academy specialized schools, and she previously served as principal of iHOPE.
Her biggest goal is creating meaningful programs that propel students’ progress and outcomes.
“I love working alongside dedicated staff to create meaningful opportunities for students with complex needs,” Chill says. “Seeing our students communicate, engage and make progress in ways others once thought impossible is incredibly rewarding.”
Hewett Chiu
Hewett Chiu is a trailblazer in healthcare.
Once an emergency medical services provider, Chiu has served as executive director with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, led Coral Health and oversaw operations at Fern Health. He has long taught health administration at New York University.
Chiu now leads the nonprofit RaisingHealth Partners, which he founded in 2010 to holistically support the health of underserved communities and address care disparities.
“Losing my mother suddenly to cancer at a young age, I wanted to find a better way to bring clinical and social wellness together,” he says, “by creating a public health and social care system where everyone can be treated just like how we would treat our own family and loved ones.”
Ilke Denizli
While nonprofit service providers are tasked with delivering services to communities and clients, it’s Ilke Denizli’s job to make sure those contracting providers get paid.
She is the chief nonprofit officer with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, which means she oversees and streamlines a complex contracting system. Since joining MOCS in 2018, Denizli has spearheaded the development and implementation of the Discretionary Grant Pilot, which speeds up discretionary grants, and the Indirect Cost Rate Initiative.
“Whether it’s supporting contract registration of new after-school programming or helping smaller providers navigate city technology, working in this space means being immersed in both the small steps and the longer journeys,” Denizli says. “Seeing the impact come together is both humbling and inspiring.”
Nilda Diaz
Social services organizations often have unique financial needs, but they can’t always manage them.
That’s where Nilda Diaz comes in.
Diaz is a practice manager at BTQ Financial, where she specializes in nonprofit operations and human services stabilization. She helps service providers understand their fiscal health, revitalizes operational systems to improve impact, and oversees auditing and accounting. In this role, Diaz also serves as the acting chief financial officer for the nonprofit JCCA.
“I am inspired by the fact that every ledger, audit and strategic financial decision directly impacts human lives,” she says. “My journey gives me unique insight into how vital infrastructure is, and knowing my financial expertise keeps critical social service programs running seamlessly drives me every day.”
Junior Dillion
In the three years that Junior Dillion has been leading the Rochester-based Volunteers of America Upstate New York, the nonprofit has doubled the number of individuals it serves to 10,000, increased revenue by 60% and improved employee retention by 30%. He also shifted the service framework to an integrated care model, which provides interdisciplinary services to support clients holistically.
Dillion oversees the organization’s work with housing, health and education, including supportive housing and early childhood programs.
“It’s an honor to serve this organization and to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our community for as long as necessary,” he says. “I take pride in guiding a mission aimed at making a positive impact on the community.”
Lauren D’Mello
Lauren D’Mello’s mission is to support veterans’ mental health.
D’Mello oversees mental health programs at the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services. Earlier in her career, she served as a clinician with the city Department of Education and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Since joining the Department of Veterans’ Services in 2022, she has founded a cultural competency program to help people connect veterans to care and also launched the department’s Military Family Advocate Program, which engages families across 244 schools.
“I am inspired by this city and the people in it,” D’Mello says. “New York gave me everything, and serving my fellow New Yorkers, especially those who served us, is how I give back. The chance to help them lead more meaningful, thriving lives inspires every decision I make.”
Nicole Falkman
Providing safe places where people can find refuge is a core objective in the social services field – and for Nicole Falkman, it’s been her overarching goal since joining Community Housing Innovations in 2012.
As the organization’s senior vice president of housing, Falkman oversees housing programs across Long Island, New York City and the Hudson Valley. CHI offers temporary, supportive and permanent dwelling spaces, along with recreational, vocational and case management services to the people it serves.
“My favorite part of the job is being able to make a difference – both with staff and our clients,” she says. “I celebrate the small wins every day – a client gaining employment, a staff member being promoted or a permanent housing client maintaining their home.”
Daniel Farrell
Growing up in New York City, Daniel Farrell remembers witnessing the worsening homelessness crisis and feeling deeply unsettled by seeing people sleeping on the streets. He decided to devote his career to providing social and homeless services.
Farrell now oversees homeless prevention, transitional and permanent supportive housing, and domestic violence programming across multiple cities with HELP USA, one of the nation’s largest homeless services providers. Farrell, who has worked with the organization since 2011, is also an adjunct professor at the Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work.
“I love working for a mission-driven organization that believes that safe and affordable housing is a human right,” he says. “Whether preventing homelessness or ending homelessness, my daily focus is aligned with that fundamental belief.”
Christine Fellini
Earlier this year, the New York City Department of Homeless Services’ Christine Fellini temporarily stepped in as acting administrator for the agency, which provides temporary shelter and runs street outreach programs. In her permanent role as first deputy commissioner, she drives strategy, budgeting and program development.
Fellini previously spent 15 years as executive director of program implementation at the department, and left to work for the Suffolk County Department of Social Services before returning in 2024. She’s now revamping agencywide processes to improve capacity management and pay nonprofit contractors more efficiently.
“I love that my work is challenging and meaningful,” she says. “Every day gives me the opportunity to make a difference and knowing that my efforts have a real impact makes the hard work worthwhile.”
Jeehae Fischer
As executive director of the Korean American Family Service Center, Jeehae Fischer serves New York City’s Asian immigrant population and is a key leader in the community.
She has held multiple roles during her tenure with the organization, which provides Korean and English counseling as well as legal and housing services to families facing domestic violence. Under Fischer’s leadership, the nonprofit’s budget has doubled, allowing services to reach more New Yorkers.
“What I love most about my job is empowering Asian immigrant women and families to build safer, more independent lives,” she says. “Through language access, culturally specific services and workforce empowerment, I have the privilege of helping individuals overcome barriers, strengthen their voices and create opportunities for themselves and future generations.”
Ann-Marie Foster
Ann-Marie Foster brings more than three decades in healthcare leadership to the addiction services organization Phoenix House New York – specifically, branches in New York City and on Long Island.
Phoenix House offers residential and outpatient treatment, with a recently expanded recovery center in Brooklyn and mental health clinic on Long Island. Foster has driven the organization’s growth, expanding capacity to 4,000 people annually.
Previously, Foster spent 26 years at NYC Health + Hospitals, where she oversaw the nation’s largest psychiatric program at Bellevue Hospital. She serves on the state Bar Association’s Task Force on Opioid Addiction.
“I love the fact that we are in the business of giving people an opportunity to live rewarding and productive lives, regaining relationships, realizing dreams and living a life of recovery,” she says.
Suzette Gordon
Suzette Gordon has had a remarkable career in the public and nonprofit sectors.
She held key roles at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the U.S. Department of Justice. She helped revamp SBH Health System’s Bronx Partners for Healthy Communities. And she worked her way up to the top job at the human services nonprofit SCO Family of Services, which has 84 programs serving 45,000 New Yorkers annually.
“My proudest professional accomplishment is helping foster a culture where people feel connected, valued and inspired by our shared purpose,” she says. “Seeing staff come together in community, leaders collaborate with trust and respect, and programs filled with hope reminds me how powerful culture can be in tackling our biggest challenges.”
Danielle Green
Danielle Green drives operations for The Opportunity Network, a nonprofit that helps students from underresourced communities overcome barriers getting into and through college and into the job market.
Green helps the organization plan, implement and expand its programs in a way that’s sustainable, equitable and aligned with its strategic goals. On the side, the 20-year veteran of the nonprofit industry is an adjunct professor in organizational leadership psychology at William James College, her alma mater.
“I am always proud of my mentees’ and employees’ successes,” she says. “Watching them step into the fullness of themselves and see their own genius makes me proud. I’ve always strived to be the mentor and manager I didn’t have, so I enjoy seeing the fruits of that labor.”
Kris Greene
At the heart of Kris Greene’s work at Grand Street Settlement is fostering growth in others, whether it’s the young people who participate in the programs he manages or the coworkers who run the programs at the venerable social services nonprofit.
Under his purview are Brooklyn-based after-school, evening/weekend, and youth and adults programs. It’s his responsibility to develop quality programs and maintain contract compliance.
He’s dedicated to cultivating and empowering his team so they can improve their skills and in turn better support clients.
“My proudest accomplishment is the team of capable, strong, efficient, youth-focused and ambitious leaders I have had the privilege to support and develop,” Greene says. “I am inspired by their dedication and commitment to young people, communities and excellence.”
Barbara C. Guinn
State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn is responsible for the state’s host of benefits programs that support low- and no-income residents.
These services help families and individuals access food, housing, child support, disability benefits and refugee resettlement. Guinn’s proudest accomplishment is expanding the state’s child tax credit, which reduces child poverty. Before joining OTDA, Guinn worked at the state Department of Labor as well as the Division of the Budget.
“I am internally motivated to spend my time and energy to support vulnerable people during times of need so they may stabilize their life and get to a better place,” she says. “Our agency’s work is essential to residents and communities throughout the state, which motivates me to give it my all.”
Tibi Guzmán
As a parent to an adult son with autism, Tibi Guzmán’s leadership of The Arc Westchester, a nonprofit supporting people with developmental disabilities, is deeply personal.
She took the reins of the organization in 2018, after serving as its associate executive director and chief operating officer. Guzmán is responsible for maintaining a culture of dignity, ensuring quality of service and implementing a strategic vision that guarantees people with developmental disabilities are supported and included.
“I love making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities,” she says. “I’m inspired by the people we support and our dedicated team, who work together every day to ensure every individual is heard, valued and empowered to make choices about their own life.”
Tiffany Hamilton
Tiffany Hamilton is a staunch advocate of diversity and inclusion for women and people of color.
Since 2022, she has led the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester, which offers a range of human services, such as early childhood education and domestic violence support, with the overarching goal of empowering women and fighting racism. The organization is the only supportive housing provider for low-income women in the county and the largest in the state. Hamilton was previously chief diversity officer at Westchester Community College and Pace University.
“I love creating possibility where others see barriers,” she says. “Whether supporting a woman finding stability, a child discovering their potential or a team navigating uncertainty, I get to help turn mission into action and hope into tangible outcomes.”
Zandra Haywood
Across the fields of social work and law, Zandra Haywood has been dedicated to protecting and empowering vulnerable populations for more than 15 years.
Haywood is director of agency relations at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, where she builds and cultivates strategic relationships with partners to strengthen community initiatives and client services.
The trained social worker and lawyer has also worked at BronxWorks, The Legal Aid Society, District Council 37 and other organizations that align with her commitment to social justice and legal empowerment.
“I chose social service because I believe every person deserves opportunity and access to support,” she says. “Oftentimes, I become emotional when collaboration turns to meaningful results for communities, offering opportunities to advance service while strengthening organizations.”
Andrew Hevesi
Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi defends New York’s children.
The Committee on Children and Families chair has advanced legislation that safeguards kids since his 2005 election. Last year, the Queens lawmaker saw his Anti-Harassment in Reporting Act signed into law. The measure bans anonymous reporting of alleged child abuse and favors confidential reporting to prevent harassment of families.
Five other Hevesi bills await gubernatorial approval, including Kyra’s Law, which requires courts to consider abuse allegations when deciding on custody and visitation.
“I am honored to have a job that allows me the opportunity to evaluate and then change systems that traumatize children,” he says. “I love fighting for the needs and rights of my family, friends and all of New York’s children and families every day.”
Archana Jayaram
Back when Archana Jayaram was working with the New York City Department of Homeless Services, a family thanked her for helping them find their “forever home.”
Interactions like this remind her of the importance of her work.
“That is a moment I come back to time and time again because it reminds me of the real human impact of doing this work,” she says.
In January, Jayaram became executive director of Brooklyn Community Services, which offers programs to fight homelessness, and to support youth development and people with disabilities, after stints at The Legal Aid Society and the Osborne Association.
“Leading an organization rooted in this community means the work is never abstract,” she says. “It’s personal, urgent and endlessly motivating.”
Gary Jenkins
Having been raised by a single mother in a family that relied on public assistance, Gary Jenkins has dedicated his career to creating opportunities for others.
He served for a little over a year as commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services, where he oversaw homelessness prevention and public benefits administration. In March, he was appointed CEO of the homeless services nonprofit Urban Pathways. He now spearheads its work providing street outreach, safe havens and supportive housing. “Having grown up in a family that relied on public benefits, I understand the importance of support and opportunity,” he says. “Those experiences inspired my lifelong commitment to helping others and proving that where you start in life does not determine where you can go.”
Dominique Jones
With more than 25 years of nonprofit and public service experience, Dominique Jones is working to cultivate the next generation of leaders at Global Kids.
The nonprofit partners with 14,000 young people between New York City and Washington, D.C., to inspire them across core pillars of academic achievement, college and career readiness, social-emotional wellness and global citizenship. The year-round program gives teenagers the support they need, not just for success in school and in their careers but also to become civic-minded and engaged in global issues.
“My proudest accomplishment is helping ensure that thousands of young people have access to the support, skills and opportunities they need to thrive,” Jones says. “Seeing students grow into confident leaders is the most rewarding measure of success.”
Rebecca Jones Gaston
It’s Rebecca Jones Gaston’s belief that “families do best when they’re supported, not separated.”
As commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, she oversees child welfare, abuse prevention and foster care. Jones Gaston has more than two decades of social services experience, most recently as commissioner of the U.S. Administration on Children, Youth and Families in the Biden administration. Earlier in her career, she led state child welfare agencies in Maryland and Oregon.
“The work we do in the social services field can change the life trajectories of countless children and families and the communities they live in, creating a lasting impact that will ripple across generations,” she says. “Making a positive long-lasting impact is what I love most.”
Jeremy Kaplan
In the eight years that Jeremy Kaplan has been leading Encore Community Services, he has grown the nonprofit into a comprehensive social services organization caring for Manhattan’s aging population.
The organization – which provides meals, social visits, case management, community centers and more for older adults – has seen a budget increase of about 150% and expansions to a number of its programs. Kaplan is also working on a major project to increase the number of meals served from 750,000 to 3 million annually. All of these achievements funnel toward Kaplan’s overall goal of strengthening community for older New Yorkers.
“I love walking into our older adult centers and feeling the electric energy of a truly vibrant space,” he says. “It’s our mission in motion.”
Gloria Kim
Brooklyn native Gloria Kim manages policy for the Human Services Council, an influential coalition of human services organizations that advocates in New York City and Albany for policy and regulation on behalf of the sector.
Kim has a track record in policy and research, including at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. She now oversees HSC’s procurement portfolio and champions procurement reforms that benefit the sector as a whole.
“My job gives me the opportunity to tackle complex policy challenges while supporting organizations that do some of the most important work in New York,” she says. “Procurement reform isn’t always the most visible issue, but it has a huge impact on the ability of nonprofits to deliver services effectively.”
Cynthia Knox
Cynthia Knox feeds the hungry in the Hudson Valley.
She co-leads Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill, which tackles hunger and homelessness in Westchester. On her watch, CHHOP’s revenue and staffing have more than doubled. Knox also shifted the food pantry to a farm-to-pantry model and established a housing program for domestic violence survivors.
Earlier this year, she took on a new role as co-CEO of Lifting Up Westchester in a partnership between the two social services organizations.
“What I love most about my job is its power to transform lives,” Knox says. “I’m inspired by helping people thrive by expanding access to healthy, nutritious food and safe, affordable housing, creating opportunities for individuals and communities to heal, grow and flourish.”
Cheryl Kraus
Attorney Cheryl Kraus represents corporate and nonprofit clients at the New York law firm Farrell Fritz, handling healthcare, gender equity and human services matters. The University at Buffalo School of Law graduate advises clients on policy development, legislative drafting, strategic communications and government affairs.
Kraus has also shaped health legislation, and she’s most proud of getting the state Department of Health to open the groundbreaking Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.
“What I love about my job is the opportunity to make a difference,” she says. “I enjoy working with clients to shape policy, solve complex challenges and help turn ideas into laws that improve people’s lives. Knowing that I’ve contributed to lasting change – and making New York a leader on important issues – is incredibly rewarding.”
David Lebenstein
At age 15, David Lebenstein volunteered for John Lindsay’s New York City mayoral campaign and served as an aide. Then, he helped launch what’s now the Center for an Urban Future. Finally, he shifted to real estate, where he’s worked for four decades.
Lebenstein is a key executive at Cushman & Wakefield and oversees its Not-For-Profit Advisory Group. He guides clients such as Volunteers of America-Greater New York and Robin Hood.
“I love feeling like I am having an impact on the way a nonprofit delivers services to clients,” he says. “I love giving good advice and when a deal closes or when we get hired and most especially, when we get a ‘shout out’ from the client at their opening event.”
Luisa Lopez
Luisa Lopez leads the organization that invested in her at the start of her career.
She’s the executive director of the Latino Social Work Coalition & Scholarship Fund, which once gave her a scholarship and an internship. The organization offers scholarships, mentoring and policy advocacy with the goal of increasing the number of culturally and linguistically competent young social workers as they enter and grow in the field.
After benefiting from the program, Lopez went on to work with Congress, the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and the New York City Council before settling into nonprofit work.
“Every day, I get to build the pathways for Latino social workers that I once needed myself,” she says. “That’s not just a job; it’s a legacy.”
Rosita Marinez
Rosita Marinez finds solutions for the organizations creating housing solutions.
With a long-standing focus on homelessness and behavioral health, Marinez founded Housing ER Consulting to help organizations develop and expand sustainable, socially conscious housing programs. HER advises clients on contract management, leadership development and the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Marinez also serves as the board vice chair of the Housing Solutions of New York, and until recently she was the senior vice president of supported housing at the Institute for Community Living.
“I have dedicated my career to developing culturally responsive programs that empower people experiencing homelessness to reclaim their voices, achieve stability and reach their full potential,” she says. “Housing is a human right, and my work turns that belief into reality.”
Taina Martinez
Taina Martinez leads Baltic Street Wellness Solutions, a peer-led nonprofit supporting people struggling with substance use or mental illness. Martinez champions the peer-centered aspect of the organization, incorporating the perspectives of people with lived experiences in its services and operations.
To this end, she is board president of the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board, and she also founded Healing Haus Institute of Wellness, a women’s empowerment organization that includes executive coaching.
“My journey and the stories I am privileged to witness remind me that healing is possible and that our voices can transform systems and restore hope for others,” she says. “Seeing individuals reclaim their power and witnessing communities grow stronger reminds me that our work is truly creating lasting, meaningful change.”
Elizabeth Mauro
Elizabeth Mauro has spent her entire career at Endeavor Health Services, starting out as an intern and rising through the organization to become its president and CEO.
Endeavor provides mental health and substance use treatment for adults and children. Mauro spearheaded a rebrand of the nonprofit, originally called Mid-Erie Mental Health Services, as it expanded beyond Erie County to Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and Monroe counties. In her time with the organization, Mauro has reduced stigma and systemic inequities in mental healthcare, especially in Western New York.
“I love having the opportunity to work with people and communities directly, to help them improve their emotional and mental health and well-being,” she says. “I feel truly blessed to be doing the work I do.”
Alicia McGrath
Alicia McGrath runs The Center for Family Support, which provides support services to more than 1,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York and New Jersey. McGrath also founded 100 Hispanic Women Long Island, a nonprofit that empowers Latinas to attain leadership roles in their fields through scholarships and networking. McGrath serves as president emeritus of the organization.
Across both organizations, McGrath spends her time lifting up others so they can reach their goals.
“What I love most about my job is the opportunity to lead with purpose,” she says. “Every day, I get to work alongside dedicated people who are deeply committed to improving lives. Whether it’s supporting our staff, partnering with families or advancing our mission, I’m constantly reminded that our work truly matters.”
Kristine Montañez
Kristine Montañez has always served others.
Growing up with parents who relied on her as a translator, Montañez was an advocate from an early age.
“As a young girl in deep poverty, I watched the women in my life care for others as second nature,” she says. “For them, building relationships and community was survival, and I’ve spent my life trying to follow their lead.”
Their example drives Montañez as she leads the Housing Supportive Services division of RiseBoro Community Partnership, overseeing its strategy and performance.
“Building resilience and disrupting oppressive systems by creating opportunities for hope or even carrying it for others when they feel they can’t hold any themselves and making space where people can rest is why I do this work,” she says.
Ann Morris
Nonprofit organizations seek to effect positive change. It’s Ann Morris’ mission to help nonprofits do this.
She’s the chief financial officer at Carey & Co., a financial and professional services firm that caters exclusively to nonprofits and offers outsourced fiscal, strategic, human resources and operations support. This work allows Morris, the former chief financial and operations officer at New York City Outward Bound Schools, to capitalize on her decades of financial expertise for many organizations at once, helping them align their budgetary, auditing and internal practices with their goals.
“I have always been mission-driven,” she says. “It matters to me that my work expands access to education, housing and essential services because I believe everyone deserves opportunity and the ability to live a meaningful, fulfilling life.”
Alan Mucatel
What Alan Mucatel loves most about his job as CEO of human services nonprofit Rising Ground is creating a vision of a better New York.
The nonprofit, founded in 1831 as an orphanage, offers counseling, education and youth development, child and family support, and services for those with untreated medical conditions, mental health challenges or developmental disabilities.
In his 17 years with Rising Ground, Mucatel has driven success and growth across all programs.
“I am extremely proud of how our organization has grown into the scale and scope of impact Rising Ground has today across our region, the continuous evaluation and improvement of our work and the momentum we’ve built supporting our neighbors going forward,” he says. “I’m proud to have helped shape that growth.”
Stephanie Olcese
Nonprofits need money to fund their missions. That’s where Stephanie Olcese comes in.
At The Parkside Group, a powerhouse public relations and political consulting firm, she helps nonprofit clients maneuver city and state budget and legislative processes and secure funding to serve their communities.
The Queens College graduate previously was a constituent services liaison for late state Sen. Jose Peralta and a budget and legislative coordinator for former New York City Council Member Mark Gjonaj, where she helped secure funding for community organizations. “What I love most about my job is helping nonprofit organizations access the resources they need to strengthen communities,” Olcese says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside mission-driven leaders and help turn great ideas into meaningful impact for New Yorkers.”
Diane Ong
Since graduating from college in 2022, Diane Ong has amassed an impressive record of organizing and advocacy.
She has quickly earned additional responsibilities at the lobbying firm O’Donnell & Associates, overseeing operations and supporting clients. Formerly an operations manager on Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and a congressional intern, Ong leverages her experience to get results.
This year, she helped pass state legislation that would strengthen Elijah’s Law mandating childcare centers stock epinephrine devices.
“I got involved in volunteering for the campaigns at a young age, which highlighted the importance of civic engagement,” she says. “I have always seen government and politics as a collaborative effort, and as I got older, I saw the importance of being able to advocate for one’s own priorities.”
Masha Pearl
The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Masha Pearl is dedicated to supporting other survivors and keeping their memories alive.
She leads The Blue Card, which was established in Germany and then the U.S. in the 1930s as antisemitism increased. It’s now America’s only nonprofit providing financial assistance to more than 3,000 survivor households living in poverty.
Pearl’s devotion has helped expand the organization’s reach to 35 states, increase its operating budget by 40% and create a school-based education program that uses holograms of survivors to share their stories.
“Every day, I help ensure that Holocaust survivors who endured unimaginable hardship can age with dignity and know they have not been forgotten,” she says. “Time is running out, and this work cannot wait.”
Edgar Pereira
At the Chinese-American Planning Council, Edgar Pereira oversees strategy, operations and quality assurance for more than 50 programs geared to Asian New Yorkers, spanning education, family support and economic empowerment.
Pereira has been with the social services organization since 1993. He moved up the ranks from a teacher’s aide and cook at one of CPC’s childcare centers all the way to the C-suite. He now helps carry out its work providing for children, older adults and families, especially immigrant and low-income families, with services, resources and advocacy.
“What I love most is empowering our community by ensuring they receive the vital services they deserve,” he says. “For me, fulfilling our mission and getting the job done isn’t just a duty – it’s a privilege.”
Tracy Pickar
For five years, Tracy Pickar has been guiding family support programs for ADAPT Community Network, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities.
The organization works with New Yorkers who have a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome, offering community habilitation, housing assistance and recreational activities. The work Pickar and her team perform helps foster clients’ independence and makes communities more inclusive. She also is former chair of the Lifespan Care Committee for the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine.
“I was inspired to choose this field by a desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” Pickar says. “Seeing growth, building strong partnerships and contributing to inclusive, person-centered services makes the work both professionally fulfilling and deeply impactful.”
Rose Pierre-Louis
Rose Pierre-Louis runs the New York University McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. Under her leadership, a team of academics, policy experts and clinicians identify the root causes of poverty and develop evidence-based interventions.
“In my current role, I leverage all of my legal, nonprofit and government sector experience every day to connect the know-how of an academic institution like McSilver to scalable policy reform that serves the communities that are at the heart of our mission,” she says.
Pierre-Louis has spent her career working to effect social change. Once the first Haitian American deputy borough president in New York City, she also led a city office targeting domestic violence and advised the city Commission on Gender Equity.
Liz Roberts
Liz Roberts has been supporting survivors of sexual, physical and emotional violence since she was 17 years old and first volunteered for a domestic violence hotline.
Since then, she has worked as a trauma therapist, a deputy commissioner at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services and, now, as CEO of Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest victim services nonprofit. Roberts has created new programs, increased the budget and updated the organization’s practices to be more survivor-centered, trauma-informed and anti-racist.
“The survivors I worked with inspired and moved me from day one – it takes so much courage and hope to reach out to a total stranger and trust them with your story,” she says.
Ana Rodgers
Ana Rodgers is passionate about supporting New Yorkers battling mental illness and substance use.
With the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic designation at the Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center, she ensures clients receive holistic, trauma-informed care through programs from the state Office of Mental Health and the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
She’s also an active member of the Forensic Social Work Alliance.
“My inspiration came from watching loved ones navigate mental illness and seeing the need for greater empathy in care,” she says. “That experience led me to human development and behavior. Walking alongside people on their healing journey isn’t just my profession, it’s my calling, and a privilege I never take for granted.”
Rob Solano
An electrician by trade, Rob Solano now energizes the base while leading the nonprofit Churches United for Fair Housing.
The organization, which he co-founded in 2009 over inequitable development in Brooklyn, advocates for affordable housing and provides consultation for housing assistance applications and tenant advocacy. CUFFH is also active politically, endorsing left-leaning candidates in local, state and federal elections.
In his free time, Solano is active in his community as a board member for the Brooklyn Public Library.
“I am inspired by spaces built on love – from churches to cafes and nightlife – where people find true sanctuary and belonging; seeing working-class New York City families sacrifice their rare free time to organize and protect these sacred community spaces from displacement,” he says.
Susan Stamler
It is Susan Stamler’s job to fight for a fairer New York.
She leads United Neighborhood Houses, which represents 45 settlement houses throughout the state and advocates for city and state policy. Her work has led to an increase in UNH membership statewide and the launch of the Our Voices Count initiative to expand civic engagement at community centers.
Stamler also led successful advocacy campaigns to expand the Summer Youth Employment Program and advance universal childcare, such as the 2-K expansion.
“I get paid to make an impact alongside people driven by mission,” she says. “At UNH, I’m surrounded by leaders who advocate tirelessly for a better New York, and I get to amplify their work. That’s not a job, it’s a privilege.”
Lorraine Stephens
Lorraine Stephens’ objective is to strengthen families and communities through support, dignity and respect.
She’s the executive director of Forestdale, the only child welfare nonprofit headquartered in Queens. The organization, originally founded as an orphanage and trade school in 1854, offers abuse prevention, foster care and adoption services in Queens and Brooklyn.
Stephens backs her current role with more than three decades of experience – including as deputy commissioner at both the New York City Administration for Children’s Services and Department of Homeless Services. She fosters a high-performing culture among staff to produce better results for families.
“What I love most,” she says, “is seeing families reclaim stability and watching our staff celebrate those moments with them, recognizing strength and real progress.”
Rachel Swaner
Lifelong New Yorker Rachel Swaner drives policy, research and advocacy for the Community Service Society, an influential advocacy, research and service nonprofit.
She and her team use research and people’s testimonies to inform policy and advocacy goals that address the causes of poverty and create solutions. CSS also provides direct services, such as health insurance enrollment help and legal support. Swaner previously led social research efforts at the Center for Justice Innovation and Think of Us.
“My ‘why’ is simple: We spend enormous resources trying to address social challenges, yet many persist across generations,” she says. “I’m driven by a belief that we won’t make real progress until we challenge the structures of power that perpetuate them.”
Lauren Tobias
Health and human services leader Lauren Tobias deploys her expertise to help healthcare and social services clients with strategy and policy in her role at government relations and consulting firm Brown & Weinraub.
With about a decade spent in leadership roles at the state Department of Health, Tobias has a keen understanding of how policy and partnerships affect public health. Her work has touched a range of health topics, including maternal health, Medicaid regulation and social services.
“I chose this field because I believe policy is one of the most powerful tools we have to advance justice,” she says. “My work has always been grounded in helping make health and human services systems more equitable, responsive and accessible for children, families and communities.”
John Weed
Since 1990, John Weed has been helping Bronxites at the nonprofit BronxWorks.
He oversees programs serving families and older adults, and he has a track record of developing programs to address unmet client needs. Weed established the organization’s Early Childhood Learning Centers, Avenue St. John office, Community Farmers Market and more. Currently, he’s supervising the renovation of BronxWorks’ 100-year-old flagship office.
Even on days off, Weed is known to volunteer at the organization’s farmers market.
“I am inspired by the number of people who rely on BronxWorks each day,” he says. “From children’s programs to eviction prevention services and food pantries, I have seen firsthand the significant level of need within our community and the vital role BronxWorks plays in addressing it.”
Darlene Williams
The Rev. Darlene Williams pilots Project Hospitality, a Staten Island nonprofit caring for people with HIV, AIDS, addiction and mental illness. The organization’s continuum of care addresses clients’ basic needs, such as food, shelter and clothing, extending to healthcare, transitional housing and vocational training.
Williams draws on her experience in nonprofits and government to set strategic visions and operational expectations that will garner the best care possible for clients and bring them closer to self-sufficiency.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve people and strengthen communities in meaningful ways,” she says. “This work allows me to help restore hope, dignity and possibility for individuals and families, while supporting organizations and teams committed to healing, justice, compassion and lasting transformation in people’s lives.”
Michelle Yanche
Michelle Yanche has dedicated more than 30 years to Good Shepherd Services, a nonprofit working with more than 30,000 youth and family members annually in underinvested communities across Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. It’s her duty to make sure the nonprofit’s programs – spanning foster care, summer camp and youth justice – remain mission-centered and participant-focused.
Prior to becoming CEO, Yanche was associate executive director for government and external relations, among other roles.
“It is an incredible honor to be a member of the Good Shepherd Services team, to work together with an incredibly talented, mission-driven team of colleagues and to make a real impact every day in the lives of my fellow New Yorkers in this great city,” she says.
Abdullah Younus
Systems-level change is a constant for Abdullah Younus.
He has worked on political campaigns, worked as political director for the New York Immigration Coalition, served on the boards of several Arab American organizations, and he now handles advocacy and government relations for the United Way of New York City. Younus is proud of securing $24.5 million for the organization’s preventative care access program, which provides free clinical health screenings for blood pressure, diabetes and other conditions to more than 5,000 people in low-income New York City neighborhoods each year.
“Often, our imagination can be confined to election or budget cycles due to practical considerations,” he says, “but organizations like UWNYC afford us the freedom to think about systems-level changes to transform our people’s circumstances.”
Faizan Younus
Faizan Younus, managing principal at NCheng LLP, is strengthening the many nonprofit organizations that hold New York City together.
The audit, accounting and advisory firm exclusively serves nonprofits, so the support he provides his clients ultimately benefits the clients of those organizations. With degrees in accounting, data science and business, Younus helps nonprofits optimize operations, reduce costs and navigate complicated financial situations, allowing them to focus on their missions and remaining fiscally viable during tumultuous times.
“I love that our work directly strengthens the organizations holding this city together,” he says. “When we stabilize a nonprofit’s finances, families stay housed, meals get served and programs keep running. Accounting is rarely called mission-driven work – at our firm, it genuinely is.”
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