Nonprofit Power Players

Kevin Carey first joined YAI as chief financial officer in 2016 and became chief executive officer in June 2023. During his first few months as CEO, Carey has led the development of YAI’s latest strategic plan, which outlines the organization’s blueprint for navigating the changing intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) landscape over the next four years. Carey is a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC) and serves on multiple nonprofit boards.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
From a young age, my parents and grandparents taught me the importance of giving back and helping others. As I began my career, I thought I would end up in a more typical corporate environment, but I kept gravitating toward mission-based organizations. I find it compelling and extremely rewarding knowing that I can have a career while also making a difference for thousands of people.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Seeing the impact YAI has by supporting thousands of people with I/DD to live fuller lives every day makes me extremely proud. Getting to visit programs, engage with the people we support, and work with staff to help them realize their dreams is far more meaningful than any single accomplishment I have had over my career. Seeing the people we support engage in the community through volunteering, employment, or recreation activities is incredibly rewarding.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
Increasing state funding for direct support professional salaries would greatly aid our work. Our field is experiencing a staffing crisis and no one working with this population should be worried about earning enough to make ends meet. YAI supplements salaries and creates pay incentives through our discretionary funds, but it’s crucial for the government to better recognize workers in our field.

Twyla Carter serves as the attorney-in-chief and CEO of The Legal Aid Society. She is the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead the organization. Previously, Carter held leadership positions at The Bail Project and the ACLU. She also worked as a public defender for ten years. Carter is a nationally recognized expert on bail reform and frequently speaks on issues including police reform, right-to-counsel, and race and culture in the legal system.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
Having worked as a public defender for ten years, I witnessed firsthand the systemic inequalities faced by marginalized communities in our legal system and knew I wanted to make a change. I wanted to dismantle the unjust policies that target disenfranchised communities and work to address the egregiously disproportionate incarceration rates that low-income Black and brown people face.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
The proudest moment of my career was when I assumed the role of attorney-in-chief and CEO of The Legal Aid Society. For 147 years, Legal Aid’s attorneys and staff members have provided invaluable services to millions of low-income individuals both inside and out of court. I am constantly amazed by our staff’s passion for and commitment to justice, and I could not ask for a greater, more dedicated group of people to lead.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
There is an urgent need for increased funding for public defense and civil legal services in NYC. Public defenders and civil legal services offices provide vital and zealous representation for low-income people facing incarceration, eviction, deportation, and more. When our organizations are unfunded, it’s the people we serve — disproportionately people of color — who suffer the consequences. We have and will continue to advocate for fair funding to serve New Yorkers in need.

Brianna Cea is the executive director and founder of Generation Vote, a national organization sparking a youth movement to protect voting rights and a just democracy for all. A skilled advocate for the Asian American community, Brianna is also the president of OCA-NY, one of the oldest AAPI civil rights organizations in NYC. Brianna is a former senior research and program associate at the Brennan Center for Justice, where she focused on the census.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
From a young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of community service. After 2016, I realized it’s not enough to just serve my community if I want to see the future that my generation deserves. As an Asian American, I decided to dedicate myself to work that can break down the systemic barriers that prevent young people and my community from achieving a livable future, starting at the ballot box and beyond.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
As a 26-year-old executive director and the youngest OCA chapter president in the country, I am proud to have spearheaded several efforts to improve the lives of New Yorkers. Some of these efforts included mobilizing students to successfully advocate for early voting and requiring universities to have polling locations, co-founding the first statewide coalition to advocate for AANHPI history in K-12 schools, and launching the first Thai-led community oral history project in Little Thailand, Queens.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
Some policy changes that I would like to see to aid my work as a voting rights advocate and community organizer include equitable funding for AAPI and youth-led community organizations, requiring inclusive AAPI history to be taught in schools across New York State, expanding civic education at public universities and making voting more accessible for every eligible New Yorker.

Jennifer Ching is the executive director of North Star Fund, a New York foundation that supports grassroots organizing led by communities building power. She is a passionate advocate with a deep breadth of experience as a lawyer, nonprofit leader, teacher and organizer. She believes in taking risks, thinking creatively and learning from others. Before leading North Star Fund, Jennifer practiced law for almost 20 years in both the private and public sectors.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
I have always been inspired by the power of people coming together to make social change. I’m in awe of all the everyday folks who, against whatever barriers they have faced, envision a world where everyone is welcome, and where everyone can thrive. I’ve worked across different nonprofits – from organizing to law to philanthropy – with the same purpose in mind: how can we together build a world where we celebrate the beauty and strength in our interdependence?

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
As I get older, I’m most proud not of any particular “victory” I’ve contributed towards (like a policy reform or legal win) but the growing generations of advocates and organizers whose leadership, creativity, and careers I have supported in different ways. I love that folks I remember as young students are now leading organizations and movements – I love learning from their wisdom, and appreciate the chance I had to help them stay in this important work.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
For too long, we’ve expected nonprofits to do $20 of work with just $1 – the overall sector is strained, and most resources do not flow to organizations led by people most directly impacted by the injustices they seek to change. We need to drastically change tax and charity policies – all designed more than a century ago, for a different reality – to allow nonprofits to create change and not just fill the holes in the larger community safety net.

Timothy Clune is the executive director of Disability Rights New York. He has been fighting for equal and equitable rights for the disability community for over 30 years. Tim has successfully litigated novel and notable cases in the New York federal district courts and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. These cases have established and expanded the rights of individuals with disabilities throughout New York State and the nation.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
As a young kid growing up in the boroughs, I watched Geraldo Rivera expose the horrific abuse and neglect at the Willowbrook School on Staten Island. I was similarly affected to the core by the display of inhumanity during John Lewis’ march to Selma. I recognized then the inherent privilege and systemic inequality that existed in my little world. These were the defining moments that pushed me to become a catalyst for change.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Throughout my 37+ year career, one moment clearly stands out among the rest: In 2016, I had the honor of spending an afternoon with U.S. Representative John Lewis. We talked about his life, his family, and his unwavering determination to change our world for the better. The Congressman emotionally reflected on his near-death experience during the march from Selma. He challenged me, like no one else ever has, to never give up the good fight.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
Funding is a constant challenge for all individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits, like DRNY, are often the only game in town providing critical services to people in need. Policies that incentivize and make more funding available to fill the gaps in services are essential to ensure that we can continue to carry out our work.

Nilbia Coyote is the executive director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), a nonprofit community-based organization in Jackson Heights, Queens dedicated to inspiring, organizing, and empowering immigrant workers from all over the City. Prior to her role at NICE, Nilbia led and developed financial Know Your Rights projects for immigrant communities after the 2016 election and participated for many years in community-led efforts to organize the Mexican immigrant community. 

Starting his career as a direct support professional, Marco now leads a 5,000-person staff that supports thousands of people with disabilities. He is a recipient of the Kriser Medal, NYU College of Dentistry’s highest honor, Pace University’s Opportunitas-in-Action Medal, The Arc of the U.S. National Convention of Executives Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, a Certificate of Special U.S. Congressional Recognition for invaluable service, and Crain’s Notable Leader in Healthcare. He also received Citations from the NYS Assembly.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
People with disabilities have poor access to health care. In recognition of these inequities, I spent much time and energy developing health centers that focus on the medical, behavioral, and oral health needs of this underserved population. While there is still much to be done, people with disabilities have recently been designated as a health disparity group by the NIH. Increasing numbers of medical, and dental schools and accreditation bodies now require students to treat patients with disabilities.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
Most human services nonprofits are funded largely by the government. Good intentions abound, but government agencies are siloed and do not promote provision and funding of whole person care and support. In fact, they impede integrated care models, resulting in poor use of precious funding, suboptimal impact on individuals, and undue pressure on nonprofits committed to supporting them. Policies that promote and incentivize more efficient use of resources in producing positive quality outcomes are needed.

Dedicated To The Struggle, Inc. (dba) James E. Davis Stop Violence Foundation, was originally titled Love Yourself Stop the Violence and founded by slain Brooklyn peace activist and Council Member James E. Davis, assassinated July 23, 2003, inside New York City Hall.

Under the leadership of Hon. Geoffrey A. Davis, executive director of the James E. Davis Stop Violence Foundation (JEDSVF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping violence in America. JEDSVF has grown to now encompass multiple causes with its proactive multiple cultures reach in inner-city communities teaching self-love and respect. By learning self-love, communities become empowered. Today as it continues to grow through the hard work and dedication of members its mission is to end violence and hate, by promoting peace and reconciliation. To seek to holistically build lives through character, education and through conflict resolution with compassion. To continue bringing awareness to the issues of violence, health, and education in inner-city communities. Geoffrey Davis, M.S. graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from CUNY’s College of Staten Island and his Master of Science degree at Long Island University.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
The person who inspired me was my brother, the late peace activist and Council Member James E. Davis. 

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
The development of the Major R. Owens Recreation Center, the subject of a New York Emmy Award documentary titled Only in New York James E. Davis story and my “Love Yourself Love Each Other” children’s book.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
Conflict resolution courses as a curriculum and more multicultural children’s books inside of schools and community centers.

Josue De Paz is the CEO and co-founder of First Tech Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides technology and broadband access, mentorship, digital skills training, and insight into career pathways for low-income students in NYC. Josue was most recently a 2022 Obama Foundation Scholar at Columbia University. Josue has also held roles across tech, financial services, and social impact. He was born in Mexico, raised in Los Angeles, and resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
Having grown up in a low-income single-parent household, while also undocumented, the journey to where I am today has been challenging, full of obstacles that derail many on their journey towards economic mobility. Once I understood the pathways available and resources needed to create trajectory-defining change, I decided to dedicate my life to uplifting low-income youth, helping them maximize their potential, and paving the way for the next generation to honor their dreams.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Seeing students land their dream scholarship, get their first college acceptance, or secure their first internship are all proud moments I feel often, knowing how it can unlock future growth for our talented, hard-working students. The proudest moment of my career so far is still in progress – I’m hoping to leave a legacy behind that does justice to my mom who sacrificed so much to get us to where we are today.

Prior to joining BDC, Lisa led the Sierra Club’s groundbreaking Beyond Coal campaign in New York, where her leadership was instrumental in ending coal-fired power plants, securing a transition for communities and workers and mandates to generate 9 gigawatts of electricity from offshore wind coupled with bold labor standards. Lisa served on the New York State Climate Action Council Power Generation Working Group and currently serves on the Board for Cornell University’s Climate Jobs Institute.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
I have always believed that I need to be the change that I want to see in this world with a fire burning inside to fight for justice, economic equality, to protect our earth and for a better world for future generations.  The work that is most inspiring to me is seemingly impossible struggles, where I – alongside sacred rebels, co-conspirators, policy-makers, partners and allies in the arena with me – make the impossible; possible!

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My leadership in building solidarity with, and between unions, climate advocates,  the renewable energy industry and state decision leaders, where we built the movement, policies, the industry and supply chain. We won transformational victories – the Clean Energy Standard, the mandate to generate 9 gigawatts of electricity from offshore wind coupled with bold labor standards, staging and assembly ports; culminating in New York’s nation-leading climate law requiring a net-zero electric sector by 2040.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
Building the market and scaling clean heating technologies, addressing energy affordability, energy equity and energy burden concerns, removing barriers, right-sizing New York’s gas distribution system, creating opportunities for neighborhood-scale decarbonization solutions such as Thermal Energy Networks, and promoting climate policies that create union and middle-class careers in decarbonizing our state.