Nonprofit Power Players

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.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
Nonprofit organizations are truly invaluable, and I have always been inspired by the profound impact they have on the communities they serve. I knew I wanted to be part of creating this positive change, and devoted my career to building equity in education. Through New York Edge’s programs, we provide more than 25,000 students with opportunities, support and enriching educational experiences that remove barriers to academic success and help them achieve their utmost potential.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
From witnessing how our students enthusiastically interview business leaders during our podcast, “Formative”, to watching their exceptional performances, or celebrating their acceptances to college, my proudest moments are when the youth we serve recognize that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Our diverse programs help students envision themselves as the next artist, educator, policymaker, or chess grandmaster, and I’m continually proud of their growth as they discover and pursue their passions.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
Implementing policies that would ensure a more integrated approach between schools and afterschool program providers would be instrumental in reaching more youth in underinvested communities. After-school initiatives are critical to the personal and academic development of students, and this programming should serve as an extension of the school day for all students.

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 Office of Children and Family Services. He currently serves 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.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
I believe we can make this world a better place, particularly for our most vulnerable friends and neighbors. In my career I’ve served in the public, private, and now nonprofit sectors, and I’m here because I believe this is the place where I can take everything I’ve learned and do the most good.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Our organization was able to take a wrecking ball to two worn-out 50-year-old residential facilities for youth and replace them with state-of-the-art bright, clean, modern spaces for them to learn, heal, and grow. That was a tall order, especially in light of constant funding challenges — but our kids deserved it.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
The restoration of the annual statutory cost of living adjustment (COLA) introduced by Elliot Spitzer but subsequently removed in more than ten NYS budgets would go a long way towards enabling human services providers to find and retain the great staff that our most vulnerable children, adults, and families need for support.

Debra-Ellen is leading the effort to build a first-of-its-kind universal community-driven wealth-building platform for NYC neighborhoods through her leadership as NYC Kids RISE founding executive director. Through the Save for College Program, nearly every public school first grader and second grader now has a financial asset for their future, and this opportunity is expanding to kindergarten students this school year and every year going forward, regardless of their family income or immigration status.

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.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
After three decades practicing law, my unplanned pivot to the nonprofit sector was the result of a fateful lunch meeting with my predecessor, John Ruskay. He was retiring and I was on the search committee to find his successor. John asked me “What do you look forward to most during the week: your communal work or your legal practice?” It was an agonizing decision – but I made the move. I’m forever grateful to John.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I’m incredibly proud of UJA’s ability to mobilize on a moment’s notice to address emergency needs. From allocating over $70 million in emergency funding from our endowment during the pandemic to our immediate response in Ukraine, to the current large-scale mobilization supporting the vast needs in Israel, UJA-Federation has the resources, relationships, and expertise to respond quickly to address our community’s most pressing challenges.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
The procurement policies in New York City must be reformed. While UJA-Federation does not receive any government funding, we philanthropically support a large network of nonprofits that do, and they perennially struggle with late registered contracts and late payments from New York City, severely hampering their operations and impact. NYC must do a better job of promptly registering and reimbursing the work being done to improve the overall welfare of the nonprofit community.

Leslie Gordon, president and CEO of Food Bank For New York City assumed the role in 2020, with a focus on addressing food insecurity in NYC. Under her leadership, Food Bank’s annual food distribution increased from 70 million pounds to 150 million pounds. Thanks to Leslie’s unwavering commitment to protecting the dignity of all New Yorkers, countless families have been able to put food on their tables and feed their families. 

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
Giving back is part of Leslie Gordon’s DNA and part of her lived experience watching role models like her mother and grandfather quietly prioritize service to others. Gordon says that the most consistent thread in her life has been the desire to make a difference.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Helping team members grow to be stronger professionals and people while positioning organizations to more efficiently help more people live their best life.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
During the pandemic, we saw the power of government intervention. The acute crisis may be behind us, but the demand for food assistance is not subsiding. The government must support policies that expand key hunger-fighting programs and allow for more resources and support for the food assistance network. We need a more accurate poverty measure, so assistance gets to all those who need it, and more working New Yorkers stay away from the pantry lines.

Betsy Gotbaum is the executive director of Citizens Union and former New York City Public Advocate. Betsy was the third woman in history to hold a citywide post. Her distinguished career spans over four decades, which includes the role of advisor to three mayors, the executive director of the New York City Police Foundation, the commissioner of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, and the president of the New York Historical Society.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
When I began my career, women were offered few job opportunities. The Vera Institute of Justice offered me my first non-secretarial job, which was transformative since I was a terrible secretary. This role introduced me to the nonprofit sector, which I have been interested in throughout my career because of the numerous issues nonprofits are uniquely positioned to tackle.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I’ve had many proud moments in my career, including being elected to office twice, helping those in desperate need access social services as public advocate, raising funds for bulletproof vests for all NYPD officers at the NYC Police Foundation, and revitalizing the NY Historical Society. I am proud of my entire tenure as Commissioner of the City Department of Parks and Recreation. Today I’m proud to foster civic engagement and boost voter turnout.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
Money. Money. Money. A critical policy change needed in the nonprofit sector is to make it easier for nonprofits to raise money. Simplifying regulations, providing tax incentives for philanthropy, and improving grant application processes would improve financial support. Policymakers should empower nonprofits to secure essential funds more efficiently, allowing them to focus on their impactful work.

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.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
Helping others find community has always been my north star. Every position I’ve ever had has focused on community, whether it was building affordable housing, constructing public schools, or developing new YMCAs. My first two jobs were in the nonprofit sector (education and housing), and I fell in love with work that allowed direct connections to those in need, the necessity to try new things, and the ability to work alongside passionate co-workers.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I have been blessed to have many proud career moments, from overseeing the construction of 100 new NYC school buildings, to opening two new Bronx YMCA branches, to seeing former staff take on leadership roles nationwide. Today, I am most proud of the way our YMCA team has guided us over the last three years from a place of organizational and fiscal crisis to a place of stability and growth with extraordinary grace and perseverance.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
We need a more efficient procurement and contracting system that includes annual cost of living adjustments, increases in indirect cost rates and regular 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.

David G. Greenfield is the chief executive officer and executive director of Met Council. He is an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School, a media personality, and served eight years as a member of the New York City Council. As executive director and CEO at Met Council, David has expanded the organization’s mission and services to help more than 305,000 New Yorkers in need through direct services and policy advocacy. 

Carl Hamad-Lipscombe is the executive director of Envision Freedom Fund and a lifelong advocate for racial equity and immigrant rights. His experience includes leading national immigrant rights campaigns as deputy director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration; organizing youth, workers, and voters at Jobs with Justice; and representing criminal defendants at The Bronx Defenders. Carl received a B.A. in philosophy from Brooklyn College and a law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
The killing of Amadou Diallo by four police officers in 1999 was a life-changing event. As a teenager, I lived up the street from Diallo in the South Bronx and had just gotten home from work around the time he was killed. It easily could have been me. In the coming days, I saw my neighbors mobilize for police reform and I was inspired by their spirit of activism and dedication to improving our community.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My work at Envision Freedom Fund is an immense source of pride. From our successful campaign to pass the Stop Immigration Bond Abuse Act which protects immigrants from exploitative private bond funds, to our work to protect bail reform and end pretrial detention, our popular podcast “Dismantling Injustice,” and more recently, the launch of our community membership program, I couldn’t be more excited about the organization’s future.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
There are too many to name! The closure of Rikers Island and prevention of death and abuse at the facility until then; The end of pretrial and immigration detention and cash bail; Reduction in the amount of money families must pay in immigration bail to free their loved ones from detention and the amount of time individuals must wait to get their bail money back; Generally, we are in favor of policy change that supports safety, opportunity, and justice.

Amy joined the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) as its first chief development officer in 2017. Since then, revenue for the organization has continued to grow to support youth programming, advocacy and capacity building. In November 2023, Amy was appointed as CEO. Under Amy’s direction, HMI continues to grow and innovate in its response to the mental health crisis impacting queer and trans young people of color.

Was there something or someone that inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector?
My father was a career social worker and counselor in Tucson, Arizona for several different nonprofits. I grew up seeing and understanding the importance of community organizations in the lives of so many and also saw how rewarding it was to do the work. So as I moved through college, it was surprising to no one that I ended up with a degree in secondary education and started my career in advocacy. 

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Every time I see a young person I’ve worked with or a colleague who started their career with me go on to do incredible things I’m filled with a huge sense of pride and relief that our sector is in such dedicated hands.

What policy changes could be made to aid in your work within the nonprofit sector?
In recent years, government agencies at all levels have been more intentionally targeting LGBTQIA+ youth in their funding opportunities and innovations. This investment is so needed, but often the policies and procedures around the delivery of that work have not moved as quickly as the opportunity for funding has.