Lorraine Stephens joined The New York Women’s Foundation in October 2016. Ms. Stephens brings over 30 years of leadership experience working for the advancement of women and their families in struggling communities in New York City.
At The Foundation she is responsible for coordinate strategic and operational initiatives for the foundation, including planning, corporate compliance, and cooperation with external stakeholders. Prior to joining to joining the New York Women’s Foundation, Ms. Stephens worked in leadership at the New York City’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) as the First Deputy Commissioner. While at DHS, she led the agency in increasing preventive homeless services and advancing its mission to provide short-term, emergency shelter for individuals and families.
Ms. Stephens also served as the Assistant Executive Director at Catholic Guardian Services overseeing the agency’s Office of Research, Evaluation and Quality Improvement. Before her work at Catholic Guardian Services, she served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Family Permanency Services with the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and oversaw the implementation of several innovative initiatives.
Ms. Stephens earned a Master’s from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Arts from Binghamton University. Ms. Stephens also completed an executive leadership course at Harvard University and Hunter College. Ms. Stephens is the recipient NYC City Council Citation for Service Award, Congressional Achievement Award, NYC Commissioner Child Advocacy Award and Congressional Coalition Adoption Institution Award. She has provided testimony to NYC City Council on Homeless and Child Welfare Issues and routinelysought after for her expert guidance on child welfare, homeless and nonprofit leadership.