2025 Nonprofit Power Players

Jody Rudin, president and CEO of the Institute for Community Living (ICL), leads 140 programs serving 13,000 New Yorkers annually. With over two decades of experience in social services, she has grown ICL by 20% to a $200+ million budget and advanced innovative whole-health programs supporting people with serious mental health challenges. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at Project Renewal, Damian Family Health Centers, and the NYC Department of Homeless Services.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your field?
Find work that you truly love, and surround yourself with people who inspire and support you. Passion fuels purpose, but the people you work alongside make the journey meaningful. Just as important, prioritize environments that value self-care and balance. In this field, burnout is real, but sustainable impact comes from taking care of yourself as you care for others.

How can policymakers and everyday New Yorkers support your organization?
Policymakers and New Yorkers can support ICL by advocating for increased investment in behavioral health, housing, and integrated care services that address the root causes of mental health challenges. Supporting policies and programs that expand access to whole-health support, reduce stigma, and strengthen the behavioral health workforce helps ICL continue its mission. Everyday New Yorkers can get involved by volunteering, donating, and raising awareness of ICL’s vital work across the five boroughs.

What are your organization’s goals for 2026?
In 2026, ICL will advance its whole-health mission by expanding supportive housing, growing Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) teams, and scaling the STEPS program to help more New Yorkers achieve stability and independence. In partnership with the new mayoral administration, ICL will strengthen the city’s continuum of care – closing system gaps and expanding community-based health and housing programs that support people with the most serious mental health needs and reduce cycles of homelessness and hospitalization.

Rachel Sabella is the director of No Kid Hungry New York, a campaign of Share Our Strength, leading a team on the front lines of fighting child hunger and poverty across the state. Rachel directs a strategy to expand No Kid Hungry’s grant-making, lobbying, communications, partnership and outreach campaigns in New York and Puerto Rico to connect more kids and families with meals.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your field?
Work hard, understand the issues inside and out, and build genuine relationships. In politics and nonprofits, trust is everything. Policymakers and advocates may not always agree with your position, but if they know you’re honest, informed, and motivated by what’s best for the people you serve, they’ll respect you. Over the years, I’ve learned that credibility and integrity are what truly sustain your influence and allow you to make a lasting impact.

How can policymakers and everyday New Yorkers support your organization?
Policymakers and everyday New Yorkers can support our mission by visiting nokidhungry.org to learn how to “share your strengths” in the fight to end child hunger and poverty. Hunger isn’t a political issue – it’s a moral one. By working together, we can ensure every child in New York has the healthy food they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Every action, from advocacy to donating, strengthens our communities and builds a brighter future for all.

What are your organization’s goals for 2026?
In 2026, our goal is to protect and strengthen SNAP, our nation’s first line of defense against hunger, and ensure the three million New Yorkers who rely on it each month aren’t left behind. We’ll work closely with federal, state, and city leaders to safeguard SNAP and expand access to essential nutrition programs – like school meals and Summer EBT – so every child in New York has consistent access to the healthy food they need to thrive.

Sapreet K. Saluja is the executive director of New York Cares, NYC’s leading volunteer management organization. Sapreet leads the vision and strategy behind mobilizing 66,000 volunteers on programs that address pressing community needs at 450 nonprofits and schools. Before New York Cares, Sapreet held senior management roles at Girl Scouts of the USA, The Sikh Coalition, and Teach for America. She is a member of the board of directors at the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your field?
Follow the work that feels meaningful, even if the path isn’t linear. My Peace Corps years taught me that community-led impact is the most sustainable kind, progress is slower than you expect, and integrity matters more than anything. If you stay curious, grounded in humanity, and are willing to learn from every “fish out of water” moment, you’ll find your place – and your purpose – in this sector.

How can policymakers and everyday New Yorkers support your organization?
Policymakers can make a big difference by creating incentives that allow employees more paid time to volunteer and by ensuring NYC remains a place where nonprofits can sustainably operate and thrive. Everyday New Yorkers can help by simply showing up: volunteering their time, supporting local nonprofits, and working alongside us to meet the needs of our neighbors across all five boroughs.

Frederick Shack joined Urban Pathways in 2005, bringing decades of experience in the human services sector. Under Fred’s leadership, Urban Pathways has undergone significant expansion – adding 800+ units of affordable and supportive housing and developing nine residential buildings across four boroughs. Fred has dedicated his career to designing programs and delivering services that address the root causes of the social challenges facing New York City and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Beth Shapiro is the CEO of Citymeals on Wheels, which provides nourishing food and vital connections to homebound older New Yorkers. Under her leadership, Citymeals has expanded its reach, last year delivering over 2.2 million meals to 22,000 older New Yorkers. A passionate advocate for aging with dignity, Beth utilizes her deep commitment and expertise to lead Citymeals towards its organizational goal of ending elder hunger in NYC by 2040.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your field?
It’s critical for anyone starting in the nonprofit sector to build relationships with the people they serve and understand their lived experience. At Citymeals, our deliveries provide essential food for our older neighbors, but also connection for those who may be homebound and isolated. That human connection is one of the most important parts of our work, and it will help you become a better advocate, no matter the field.

How can policymakers and everyday New Yorkers support your organization?
We hear from meal recipients all the time that our deliveries are appreciated, but one meal a day is not enough. Policymakers need to fully fund nutrition assistance programs and work with organizations like ours to build a strong social safety net for older New Yorkers. Everyday New Yorkers are encouraged to donate or volunteer to support Citymeals’ essential lifeline. 

What are your organization’s goals for 2026?
There is a hunger crisis among older New Yorkers. Citymeals is taking steps towards our organizational goal of ending elder hunger in New York City by 2040. That means expanding our innovative programs to get more food to more recipients, strengthening our volunteer network, and advocating for policies to ensure a future where no older New Yorker goes hungry.

Elizabeth Smith has served as president and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy since 2018. With the Conservancy’s 40-year restoration of the Park largely complete, Smith is focused on fostering financial sustainability, operational excellence, and a strengthened relationship with the Conservancy’s City partners – all in service to the Park’s 42 million annual visitors. Previously, she served on the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees and was a former NYC Parks assistant commissioner under Mayor Bloomberg. 

Since becoming CEO in 2006, Jilly Stephens has overseen City Harvest’s efforts to meet the rising need for emergency food while also launching long-term initiatives to address the systemic health and nutrition needs of low-income communities in New York City. Under Jilly’s leadership, the organization has grown from rescuing and delivering 20 million pounds of food annually in 2006 to more than 86 million pounds this year.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your field?
Remember who you are doing this work for. At City Harvest, our goal is always to put the community first, for example, intentionally sourcing culturally relevant foods that meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers. I do better work when I center the people who are impacted by food insecurity, and it motivates and inspires me to do more.

How can policymakers and everyday New Yorkers support your organization?
Before the government shutdown, the need for food assistance in NYC was the highest on record. Then SNAP benefits lapsed due to the shutdown, which was devastating for the 1.8 million New Yorkers who need SNAP to feed their families. The State and City must help make up for federal cuts and lapses, and New Yorkers can help feed their neighbors by donating, starting a food drive, volunteering, or advocating. Learn more at cityharvest.org.

What are your organization’s goals for 2026?
As we scale up our operations to meet the enormous need, we plan to rescue and deliver more than 86 million pounds of nutritious, high-quality food that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it to about 400 food pantries and soup kitchens throughout NYC, with an emphasis on providing the food that our neighbors want in neighborhoods that are currently underserved.  We are also advocating for local, state, and national anti-hunger policies.

Bill Ulfelder is the executive director of The Nature Conservancy in New York. Guided by science and collaboration, the organization advances solutions that benefit people and the planet. Under Ulfelder’s leadership, the Conservancy builds diverse coalitions across the State, works with policymakers to grow the clean energy economy, conserves natural areas, protects wildlife and safeguards clean water and air, to deliver on its vision of a world with a livable climate, healthy communities and thriving nature. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your field?
Pursue work that is meaningful to you. The challenges we’re facing are gigantic, but when you’re motivated by purpose, it becomes easier to move through setbacks and success feels that much more fulfilling. I’d also encourage anyone starting out in this field to seek out cross cultural experiences – whether that’s traveling, living or working elsewhere or learning another language. These experiences have deeply shaped my perspective and enriched both my personal life and professional path. 

How can policymakers and everyday New Yorkers support your organization?
We all need clean water to drink, clean air to breathe and safe access to the outdoors. New Yorkers can support our work by talking about the urgent challenges facing our planet, making a donation, volunteering outdoors, voting for policymakers who support conservation, and continuing to contact their elected officials. Policymakers can work with their colleagues and constituencies to grow public funding for environmental programs and pass strong environmental laws.  

What are your organization’s goals for 2026?
As we confront the climate crisis, we’re working with partners to maintain environmental funding in the State budget for conservation, climate action and clean water projects. We’re also working to reduce carbon emissions through the power of nature and policy, improve water quality in Long Island, implement policies to expand the urban forest in New York City and enable statewide reforestation, and scale nature-based strategies to protect neighborhoods from flooding and extreme heat.

Dr. Shawanna E. Vaughn is a prominent criminal justice reform advocate, trauma-informed care specialist and the founder of Silent Cry Inc,  a nonprofit that has brought national attention to Post Traumatic Prison Disorder. A native of Bakersfield, CA and a mother of two, Dr. Vaughn has made New York home for 13 years. Dr. Vaughn is a zealous advocate for social justice, women’s health and children in foster care. She is the author of Cries for Change. She also works as a journalist covering topics related to criminal justice reform and health care disparities. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your field?
It’s okay to fail many times and pivot when you must. Remain a dreamer tap into your inner child when you get weary.

How can policymakers and everyday New Yorkers support your organization?
You support our efforts by donating. Sign up to volunteer on our website. Share our information. Make calls to the legislators for legislation. Join our advocacy groups. All these things make a difference.

What are your organization’s goals for 2026?
Our goal for 2026 is to refuel our base and build better for a sustainable future in service. To further our national brand and reach. To partner and grow our relationships with organizations, communities and philanthropic partners. To educate individuals on candidates and civics.

Carlos serves as chief executive officer of the Police Athletic League of New York City, leading bold growth across a citywide network of 26 sites serving thousands of youth each year. Under his leadership, PAL is modernizing facilities, expanding community partnerships, and strengthening collaboration with NYPD, FDNY, and city agencies. A proud alumnus of Bank Street College of Education and La Salle Academy, Carlos now serves on both boards, championing educational equity and opportunity citywide.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in your field?
My advice is simple – lead with purpose and remember why you started. This work is about people, not positions. It’s about showing up for young people, building trust, and believing in their potential even when the world doesn’t. Don’t chase titles – chase impact. Every handshake, every conversation, every challenge is a chance to serve and to make the city we love a little stronger, together.

How can policymakers and everyday New Yorkers support your organization?
Policymakers and New Yorkers can support us by believing what we already know – that every child in this city deserves opportunity. Invest in safe spaces, in after-school programs, in mentors who see potential, not problems. Help us build, block by block, the future of New York through partnership, resources, and presence. When the city stands with its kids, it builds stronger neighborhoods, safer streets, and a better tomorrow for all.

What are your organization’s goals for 2026?
PAL will continue building bridges – between generations, neighborhoods, and opportunity. We’re focused on expanding youth hubs that connect early learners to teens and young adults through mentorship, education, and workforce pathways. Our goal is to close gaps and create access – so every child in New York City can cross the bridge from potential to possibility, from hope to achievement, and from their block to the broader world.