2024 Nonprofit Power Players

David joined Henry Street’s Workforce Development Center in 2001, became its chief administrator in 2005, and was named president and CEO in 2010. An advocate for educational and employment opportunities, fair and affordable housing, and strong and healthy families, David has deepened Henry Street’s community impact by establishing local collaborations specifically in workforce development and youth mental health. David is a graduate of Harvard College and the Institute for Not-for-Profit Management at Columbia Business School. 

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
I believe the highest aspiration of the human heart is to help other people, and I appreciate the purpose that propels me to do this work every day. So many people in our community are vulnerable and marginalized and need our support; it’s an honor to provide it. The bonus is I get to work alongside 650 people who share this purpose and within the larger world of extremely dedicated human services providers.

How can policymakers support your organization?
Policymakers serve their constituents well by getting as close to the street as possible, and groups like Henry Street can help. A settlement house, with our ears to the ground, can share timely, relevant perspectives on the goals and needs of our community. We call this “case-to-cause” – taking individuals’ concerns to a higher level. By listening and learning from our work, policymakers can understand how their policies truly affect people and how community support gets done.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
That’s a trick question! Whether we’re moving a family into permanent housing, helping hundreds of youth enter and succeed in college, providing urgent mental health care, or giving a new immigrant a MetroCard to get to a job interview – they’re all big accomplishments, and no one is bigger or more meaningful than any other. Community priorities may change, but the fundamental mission of opening doors to help our neighbors achieve self-sufficiency and stability does not change. 

With more than 20 years of experience in education advocacy, New York Edge CEO Rachael Gazdick leads the organization’s mission to build equity in education and provide thousands of K-12 students with free, engaging programs that help them grow academically and personally. Previously, Gazdick served as president and CEO of Colorado’s “I Have A Dream” Foundation and as executive director of Say Yes to Education Syracuse.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
Witnessing youth succeed has driven me throughout my career. Through New York Edge’s programs, countless students progress academically, graduate, and pursue college and careers. Providing access to these enriching opportunities that foster their skills and ignite their passion keeps me motivated every day. Whether it be publishing their stories through our book publishing program or co-hosting a podcast, seeing young people shine with enthusiasm and self-confidence inspires me to keep pushing forward in this work.

How can policymakers support your organization?
In-school and out-of-school time should be seamless, with afterschool programs viewed as an extension of the school day. These programs are so much more than childcare; they offer the latitude to address a variety of subject matters that are not necessarily covered during the school day. It’s important for policymakers to prioritize educational equity and invest in initiatives like those of New York Edge that level the playing field for students and under-resourced communities.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
This year, we provided 25,000 students with free afterschool and summer programming including arts, sports, STEM, leadership and more. I’m particularly proud of the expansion of our EdgeUcate Labs, which empowers the next generation of creators through multiple artistic outlets such as the Music Production Academy and our Animation Studios, where students develop music videos and short films. I love seeing the transformative impact of these signature programs that are designed to cultivate award-winning innovators.

DeNora Getachew is the CEO of DoSomething, a national hub for youth-led impact. A democracy lawyer, she has worked at Generation Citizen, the Brennan Center for Justice, and Citizens Union to promote free elections and multiracial democracy. She has served on the NYS Public Campaign Financing Commission and the Civic Readiness Task Force. DeNora chairs the board of Higher Heights for America and is president of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
My favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector is the dual ability to shape outcomes at the direct service level, while also influencing policy and government decision-making to affect change at scale.

How can policymakers support your organization?
Policymakers can support DoSomething’s work to fuel young people to change the world by investing in DoSomething and our work; by investing in effective civics education for young people; and by investing in the power of youth voice by creating more opportunities for young people to share their perspective in government decision-making.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
Our biggest accomplishment in 2024 was launching our new program approach powered through our new digital platform and live programming. Our work to educate and equip young people to understand and own their leadership voice and take care of their mental well-being met the needs of new generations of digital native youth pressing for systemic and tangible change.

Bill Gettman is CEO of Northern Rivers Family of Services in Albany. He previously served as executive director of St. Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany, and executive deputy commissioner and COO for NYS OCFS. He has served as chair of the NYS Justice Center Advisory Council and as board chair of the Mental Health Association in NYS (MHANYS). He is a member of the NYS Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
The strength, talent, and compassion of the staff who dedicate their lives to helping others is one of the most incredible things in the world, and it inspires me to do everything I can to support them.  Every day I see an act of kindness (usually from a frontline worker who deserves to be paid a lot more) that amazes me, warms my heart and makes a positive change for vulnerable children, adults, and families.

How can policymakers support your organization?
New York State needs to invest in nonprofit human services by supporting a 7.8% increase in our rates. Every year, costs go up, whether it’s cost of living for employees, benefits, maintenance, utilities, food, insurance, or infrastructure. Each year we fall further behind. Policymakers need to visit nonprofits, meet the people who do the work and who benefit from the services, see the challenges, and invest in our future.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
Despite all the financial pressures faced by our environment, we were able to invest more than $5 million in comprehensive physical, quality-of-life improvements for kids who live and learn with us. We gut-renovated two residences, built a new technology classroom to supercharge vocational education, and put in a new pool to replace a 50-year-old facility to give our kids better, safer recreation.

Giffen is executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, the oldest advocacy and direct service organization serving people without homes. The Coalition established NY’s legal Right to Shelter in 1981 and serves as independent monitor of the municipal shelter system, and helps more than 3,500 homeless and at-risk individuals per day. Dave started as a volunteer in 1988, has served on the board since 2007, and as executive director since 2012.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
Knowing that I’m working in a sector that defines “value” not in monetary terms, but in human terms, and working alongside idealistic people who are dedicating their lives to the fight for social justice and to furthering the wellbeing of individuals in our community.

How can policymakers support your organization?
By supporting policies that create more deeply-subsidized affordable housing specifically for homeless and ELI households; by ensuring that all without homes have access to decent, safe, and accessible shelter; by broadening eligibility for City and State rent vouchers and eliminating bureaucratic obstacles to their use; by decriminalizing homelessness, respecting the humanity of and meeting immediate needs of unsheltered individuals, and providing access to low-barrier shelters, supportive housing, and quality voluntary mental health care services.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
Defending New York’s fundamental Right to Shelter against challenges from the City and State; distributing roughly 400,000 hot meals to homeless and hungry individuals on the streets; saving more than 800 families from eviction; providing crisis services to roughly 10,000 homeless and at-risk individuals.

Jeffrey R. Ginsburg is the president and CEO of Volunteers of America Greater New York, among the largest and most effective organizations addressing the housing, homelessness and mental health crises facing the region. Prior to joining VOA, Jeff was the longtime CEO of East Harlem Tutorial Program and East Harlem Scholars Academies. Jeff is a graduate of Trinity College and Harvard’s Kennedy School and expects to complete his doctorate from Fordham University in 2024.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
My favorite thing about the nonprofit sector is those moments when, in their own words, clients articulate the impact that your work has had on their lives. In our day-to-day work, we know what outcomes we’re striving to achieve, and we know how many lives we’re touching, but what we cannot capture with that data is what it has MEANT to the people we serve. Nothing is more moving than hearing those stories firsthand.

How can policymakers support your organization?
The first step towards making an impact is being “proximate” to the clients being served and the work that is happening to support them, to borrow from the great Bryan Stevenson. In that vein, my first ask to policymakers is to visit our programs and see how we’re addressing the needs of homeless and housing-insecure individuals and families firsthand. That’s an open invitation. When you’re proximate to the work, the ideas flow freely from there.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
The culmination of more than five years of effort from many stakeholders, in 2024, VOA-GNY opened our newest housing development for 117 low-income and formerly homeless older adults, Andrews Avenue Senior Residence. Andrews Avenue and its twin project, East Clarke Place Senior Residence (opened in 2021), have received international attention for their innovative approach to addressing social isolation through a combination of social services and intentional architectural design.

Eric became UJA-Federation’s CEO in July 2014, following a lengthy career as a litigation partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Prior to becoming CEO, Eric served in many volunteer leadership roles at UJA-Federation, including as vice chair of the Board. Eric graduated magna cum laude from both Columbia College and Cornell Law School. He and his wife, Tamar, live in Manhattan and have four children and three grandchildren.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
I am always moved by hearing directly from the people whose lives are made better because of what we do. UJA helps approximately 5.5 million people a year worldwide, and every single life is a story – whether we got them food or a new job or moved them from crisis to stability. I’m also inspired by our community of donors who trust us to get their dollars where they can have the greatest impact.

How can policymakers support your organization?
Across New York, there are significant funding gaps for critical services offered in older adult centers and emergency food programs. Policymakers need to address these funding shortfalls by directing resources to organizations serving vulnerable older adults and food-insecure New Yorkers. We also need their voices and legislative might to make clear that hate crimes and antisemitism will not be tolerated in our state.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
For the Jewish community, 2024 was one of the most challenging years in modern history. After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, we mounted a massive response to meet evolving needs in Israel that continues even now. We mobilized our community to demand the hostages’ release, concurrently, we fought escalating antisemitism. And even as we did all this, our “work as usual” caring for all New Yorkers in need, didn’t falter for a moment.

Leslie Gordon has been fighting hunger for over two decades, leading teams at Feeding Westchester, City Harvest, and Food Bank For New York City, where she has served as president and CEO since 2020. Under her leadership, Food Bank For New York City has greatly expanded its operational efficiency, delivering more food and life-saving resources to those in need than ever before. Leslie has earned numerous awards for her impact, driving innovative solutions for food security across NYC. 

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
It’s got to be the people I work with and the people we proudly serve together. Each day, my team wakes up and springs into action for NYC, partnering with community leaders on the ground to figure out what our neighbors need. Then we make it happen, whether it’s getting fresh produce to communities in Sunset Park or culturally relevant ingredients to our neighbors in Inwood. It’s an immediate impact that can’t be beaten! 

How can policymakers support your organization?
Community need for food is increasing, and almost half of New Yorkers don’t have the resources to cover basic expenses. We see families, low-wage workers, and older adults among the neighbors on our lines. Policies to support our work include more funding for food and administrative costs for the food assistance network, strengthening public benefits and safety net programs, and addressing the affordability crisis in this city, including more affordable childcare and housing.  

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
At a time when 1.3 million New Yorkers are facing food insecurity, including 1 in 4 children, I am incredibly proud of the fact that we have provided over 91 million meals to our neighbors in need over the past year. We’ve also delivered more than 33 million pounds of fresh produce, 19 million pounds of culturally relevant food, and helped our neighbors secure over $95 million in SNAP benefits. 

Sharon Greenberger is the tenth president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, New York City’s leading health and wellness nonprofit organization. Under her leadership, the Y has focused on reimagining programs and services to meet communities’ most pressing and ever-changing needs. Recent initiatives include expanding teen programming, addressing citywide aquatics safety, and providing greater access and assistance to all New Yorkers seeking to improve their personal health.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
At this critical moment, New York City’s incredible nonprofit sector has never been more needed – or more important. Our city’s nonprofit organizations are purpose-driven and results-oriented, and we stitch together to form an irreplaceable safety net for New Yorkers in need. My North Star has always been community, and it’s an enormous privilege to be part of an organization – and a movement – that strengthens communities citywide.

How can policymakers support your organization?
We need a more efficient procurement and contracting system that includes annual cost of living adjustments and increases in indirect cost rates. In addition, streamlining the request for proposal processes would help organizations like the Y plan for the future and meet the needs of our communities even more effectively and efficiently.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
The YMCA has made significant progress this year in our efforts to expand access to swim and water safety instruction. We increased the number of free lifeguard training classes we offer and launched a pilot initiative called “Swim Into Summer” that provided free lessons to New Yorkers at seven branches citywide. In collaboration with city and nonprofit agencies, we also successfully advocated to renovate and reopen pools and strengthen the talent pipeline for lifeguards.

With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and corporate social responsibility sector, Amy is a driven and passionate leader who strives to create positive and lasting change for the LGBTQIA+ youth community. As the chief executive officer at Hetrick-Martin Institute, Amy oversees the strategic direction, operations, and fundraising of the nation’s oldest organization serving queer and trans youth. Amy lives in Westchester County with her wife Gina, and dog Piper. 

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
I have been lucky to be a career nonprofit sector person. It has always enabled me to combine my personal passions and professional efforts for the causes that matter most to me. I have also had the privilege of meeting some of the most incredible activists, scientists, and artists driving this sector forward. 

How can policymakers support your organization?
HMI is providing life-saving mental health services in a community center setting. Policy driving investment in the workforce and creating funding opportunities often omit community center settings in favor of more traditional clinical settings. Policymakers should be intentional about including non-clinical settings as some of the most impactful and successful models are being offered in these spaces. 

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
In addition to continuing to increase access to life-saving mental health practices at HMI – we have launched an ambitious strategy for the future. Over the next 5 years, HMI will lead an effort in partnership with Centerlink and HealthRight International to train more than 15,000 providers and 350+ community organizations, expanding access to affirming care and reaching up to 6 million LGBTQIA+ youth globally.