BronxWorks has welcomed several new leadership staff in recent months, as we continue to evolve the organization’s internal structure to adapt to the needs of our community. Read on to learn more about Najma Ali, General Counsel; Jennifer Anderson, Controller; and Christopher Francis, Ph.D., Chief of Staff & Strategy.
Najma Ali
General Counsel
Najma Ali joined BronxWorks in July 2024 as General Counsel. In this position, Najma oversees legal and compliance matters for the organization. Najma comes to BronxWorks with several years of experience working as legal counsel for the City of New York in various capacities, often working to support social services similar to those at BronxWorks. Najma started her career as a civil litigation attorney at the NYC Human Resources Administration, litigating guardianship proceedings on behalf of Adult Protective Services, before moving on to be Data Privacy Counsel at the Human Resources Administration. She eventually progressed to be Senior Counsel at the NYC Department of Homeless Services, where she advised on shelter siting, procurement, and zoning issues. Najma has also worked in the NYC Mayor’s Office of Operations to advise on data privacy and integration matters, and more recently the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, holding various positions including Director of Programs, General Counsel, and Interim Executive Director. Najma grew up in New Jersey and received her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University. She subsequently earned her law degree from Fordham University School of Law and remained in New York to pursue public interest law.
Jennifer Anderson
Controller
Jennifer Anderson joined BronxWorks in September 2024 as the new Controller. In this position, Jennifer leads a team to monitor and maintain the financial health of the organization, overseeing the budget, payroll, and other finances. Before working at BronxWorks, she earned substantial experience in financial leadership positions within the nonprofit sector. Jennifer grew up just outside of the Bronx in Yonkers, NY, and remained in the area to earn a B.S. in Accounting from Mercy College and an M.B.A. from Fordham University. Jennifer knew from an early age that she wanted to work exclusively within the nonprofit sector, as she saw the necessity for the resources they provide within her community. With a desire to be a part of the solution for people to uplift their lives, Jennifer began her career working with nonprofits in Westchester County as an accounting consultant. She has since earned over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector working as Controller, CFO, and Director of Finance for various service providers in the New York area. Her most recent experience was as an independent executive financial and accounting consultant working with a wide array of nonprofit clients.
Christopher Francis, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff & Strategy
Christopher Francis, Ph.D., joined BronxWorks in September 2024 as the organization’s first Chief of Staff & Strategy. In this role, Chris works closely with the CEO and other senior leadership to drive government relations, strategic planning, special projects, and program evaluation. Chris was born and raised in the Bronx. A graduate of the NYC public school system, Chris’ experiences growing up spurred his interest in social policy. He left the city to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Materials Science & Engineering and Political Science in 2012. He earned a M.S. in 2014 and Ph.D. in 2017 in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley before transitioning into public service, citing a strong desire to support underserved communities. He joined the California State Senate’s Budget and Fiscal Review Committee as a fellow and then quickly became a Principal Budget and Policy Advisor for the committee. He oversaw $20 billion annual budgets for California’s public safety, corrections, and judicial branch from 2018-2021 and higher education, labor, and workforce development from 2022 to August 2024. His work created numerous new policies and over $1 billion in new initiatives to uplift and stabilize under-resourced communities.
BronxWorks has welcomed several new leadership staff in recent months, as we continue to evolve the organization’s internal structure to adapt to the needs of our community. Read on to learn more about Najma Ali, General Counsel; Jennifer Anderson, Controller; and Christopher Francis, Ph.D., Chief of Staff & Strategy.
Najma Ali
General Counsel
Najma Ali joined BronxWorks in July 2024 as General Counsel. In this position, Najma oversees legal and compliance matters for the organization. Najma comes to BronxWorks with several years of experience working as legal counsel for the City of New York in various capacities, often working to support social services similar to those at BronxWorks. Najma started her career as a civil litigation attorney at the NYC Human Resources Administration, litigating guardianship proceedings on behalf of Adult Protective Services, before moving on to be Data Privacy Counsel at the Human Resources Administration. She eventually progressed to be Senior Counsel at the NYC Department of Homeless Services, where she advised on shelter siting, procurement, and zoning issues. Najma has also worked in the NYC Mayor’s Office of Operations to advise on data privacy and integration matters, and more recently the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, holding various positions including Director of Programs, General Counsel, and Interim Executive Director. Najma grew up in New Jersey and received her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University. She subsequently earned her law degree from Fordham University School of Law and remained in New York to pursue public interest law.
Jennifer Anderson
Controller
Jennifer Anderson joined BronxWorks in September 2024 as the new Controller. In this position, Jennifer leads a team to monitor and maintain the financial health of the organization, overseeing the budget, payroll, and other finances. Before working at BronxWorks, she earned substantial experience in financial leadership positions within the nonprofit sector. Jennifer grew up just outside of the Bronx in Yonkers, NY, and remained in the area to earn a B.S. in Accounting from Mercy College and an M.B.A. from Fordham University. Jennifer knew from an early age that she wanted to work exclusively within the nonprofit sector, as she saw the necessity for the resources they provide within her community. With a desire to be a part of the solution for people to uplift their lives, Jennifer began her career working with nonprofits in Westchester County as an accounting consultant. She has since earned over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector working as Controller, CFO, and Director of Finance for various service providers in the New York area. Her most recent experience was as an independent executive financial and accounting consultant working with a wide array of nonprofit clients.
Christopher Francis, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff & Strategy
Christopher Francis, Ph.D., joined BronxWorks in September 2024 as the organization’s first Chief of Staff & Strategy. In this role, Chris works closely with the CEO and other senior leadership to drive government relations, strategic planning, special projects, and program evaluation. Chris was born and raised in the Bronx. A graduate of the NYC public school system, Chris’ experiences growing up spurred his interest in social policy. He left the city to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Materials Science & Engineering and Political Science in 2012. He earned a M.S. in 2014 and Ph.D. in 2017 in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley before transitioning into public service, citing a strong desire to support underserved communities. He joined the California State Senate’s Budget and Fiscal Review Committee as a fellow and then quickly became a Principal Budget and Policy Advisor for the committee. He oversaw $20 billion annual budgets for California’s public safety, corrections, and judicial branch from 2018-2021 and higher education, labor, and workforce development from 2022 to August 2024. His work created numerous new policies and over $1 billion in new initiatives to uplift and stabilize under-resourced communities.
