Where nonprofit leaders have gone in 2019

It's not news that the nonprofit sector experiences a lot of turnover. And in a state like New York, which tops the nation in nonprofit employment, it’s especially common to see people moving between different organizations. So NYN Media took a look back at its coverage over the past year see where the region’s nonprofit leaders have gone this past year.

Sister Paulette LoManco’s retirement from Good Shepherd Services this year was one of the biggest transitions in New York City – especially given the past 40 years she spent leading the organization. She earned her a standing ovation at the Robin Hood Foundation’s gala earlier this year, as well as visit from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Michelle Yanche has since taken over as executive director at the nonprofit.

And it’s not the only large social services organization facing a leadership change. The Jewish Board CEO David Rivel announced plans to step down by the end of June 2020 after a successful tenure boosting the nonprofit’s fundraising and programs. Anne Williams-Isom, CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone, is also set to leave her position at that time. But unlike Rivel, her successor is already lined up – Kwame Owusu-Kesse, the organization’s chief operating officer. Also stepping down next summer: the executive director of Volunteer New York!, Alisa Kesten. And after a period of landmark criminal justice changes in New York, Greg Berman of the Center for Court Innovation announced his resignation as well.

Two nonprofit associations also face leadership changes. Sharon Stapel, president and executive director of Nonprofit New York, and Allison Sesso, executive director of the Human Services Council, are both leaving for new opportunities starting in January. And the Association for a Better New York just revealed that its executive director, Angela Pinsky, would be moving on as well. 

Changes have also hit the foundation world. After 12 years at the NoVo Foundation, Executive Director Pamela Shifman is stepping down at the end of the year, and March Gallagher, the head of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, left earlier this year to mount a successful run for Ulster County comptroller. 

Of course, the news isn’t just about departures in the sector, but rising leaders as well. Cal Hadigan took over at Community Access early this year after its longtime leader retired. The Andrus Family Fund appointed a new director to manage its funding: Manuela Arciniegas. A prominent New Yorker also became president of the Human Rights Campaign – Alphonso David, former counsel to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

What changes will a new decade? It remains to be seen.