Our leadership team is diverse in backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences but united by one common goal: helping Bronx residents overcome their challenges and create brighter futures for their families. Building on the contributions of our board members, supporters, partner organizations, and 1,000-plus employees, the BronxWorks leadership team charts a clear strategic path toward meaningful, long-lasting change.
Executive Team
Eileen Torres
Chief Executive OfficerAs the leader of the agency, Eileen serves as the ultimate advocate for the 60,000+ residents of the Bronx that receive services from BronxWorks as well as the nearly 1,000 employees across the organization. Eileen has been with BronxWorks since 1995, starting in administrative roles, serving as Admin Counsel and General Counsel, and interim Executive Director/COO in 2013. Eileen was appointed Executive Director in 2014. Her education and background as an attorney have been invaluable in guiding BronxWorks in the highest standards of nonprofit governance and as an implementing partner for many New York City government programs.
Eileen has built upon the history of the organization and expanded the scope, reach and impact of services to the Bronx community. Under her direction, BronxWorks has added multiple new sites, formed many new public and private partnerships, and received outside recognition for its effective work including the 2013 New York Nonprofit Excellence Award. In 2023, the Board of Directors named Eileen the Chief Executive Officer of BronxWorks.
A graduate of Cardinal Spellman High School, Eileen earned a B.S. from Pace University and a J.D. from the Northeastern University School of Law. She is on the board of United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) and serves as the chair of the UNH Executive Directors Council; she is also on the board of the Human Services Council (HSC), the Council Of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA), and Lyft’s New York Racial Justice Alliance.
Eileen is a Bronx native, having spent her formative years in northern Manhattan and the north central Bronx.
Erica Coleman
Chief Legal & Operations OfficerAs Chief Legal & Operations Officer, Erica oversees legal and compliance matters as well as human resources, employee education and training, information technology, and quality assurance. Prior to joining BronxWorks, Erica was a Pro Bono Practice Attorney for Nonprofit and Community Development at Winston & Strawn LLP, where she exclusively represented nonprofits in corporate and transactional legal matters.
Previously, Erica practiced law in various private and nonprofit settings, including nearly five years as an associate in the business, financing, and restructuring group at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, followed by two and a half years as the Director of Programs and Operations at Start Small Think Big, a Bronx-based nonprofit organization on a mission to further community economic development through pro bono legal services.
Erica graduated cum laude from St. John’s University School of Law in 2008.
Gordon Miller
Chief Financial OfficerGordon joined BronxWorks as Chief Financial Officer in 2019. He provides executive leadership over our finances, including financial planning, drawing on his years of professional experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, Gordon served as Director of Finance at the Jewish Child Care Association, a child welfare and mental health services organization.
Gordon has a bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University and an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
John Weed
Assistant Executive DirectorJohn joined BronxWorks in 1990, became a Department Director in 1995, and has served as Assistant Executive Director for community programs since 2002. He oversees programs that serve immigrants, families, and senior citizens. John created our Early Childhood Learning Centers, our Avenue St. John walk-in office, several entitlements programs, and our Heights Community Farmers Market. Previously, John worked at the Latin America Women’s Network, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.
John graduated from the University of New Mexico and holds an L.M.S.W. from the Hunter College School of Social Work.
Senior Leadership
- Najma AliGeneral Counsel
- Jennifer AndersonController
- Shauna BarryDirector of Clinical Learning & Development
- Julie Belizaire-SpitzerVice President, Homelessness Prevention and Access to Benefits
- Riziki BushuDirector of Grants and Contracts
- Noel ConcepcionVice President, Adult Homeless Services
- Ursula Cooper-HunterVice President, Children and Youth Services
- Gianna Dell’OlioDirector of Advancement and Communications
- Christopher FrancisChief of Staff and Strategy
- Jerome FriersonVice President of Legal Services
- Amy Greenbaum-StraussDepartment Director of Training & Professional Development
- Marjorie JeannotVice President, Family Shelters
- Bibi S. KarimVice President, Community Health, Positive Living, FEP, Immigration Services, and ESOL
- Rudy MurilloDirector of Operations
- Yonnel OlivoDirector of Information Technology
- Amanda PérezDirector of Quality and Compliance
- Felicia Rickett-SamuelsVice President of Human Resources
- Maria RiveraVice President, Services For Older Adults
- Shali SharmaVice President, Supportive Housing and Health Policy
- Ken SmallDevelopment Director
- Diana SmithDirector of Human Resources
- Alexander SotoDirector of Training & Learning Management Systems
- Betty Ann TamaisarVice President, Workforce Development