(Brooklyn and Bronx, NY) – The Board of Directors at The HOPE Program, a nonprofit that empowers New Yorkers to obtain employment and long-term financial sustainability, has appointed Tracey Capers as Executive Director, effective October 16, 2023.
Ms. Capers will tap into her vast professional experience working closely with staff and the board to foster economic development and help build community among our key audiences of students, graduates, employer partners and donors.
“Tracey is a seasoned leader with deep experience in nonprofit management, development and strategic planning which are great assets to support HOPE as we continue to experience tremendous growth.” said Lauren Samuel, Board Chair at The HOPE Program. “We are thrilled to have her join the team.”
Ms. Capers joins The HOPE Program following a 20-year tenure at the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation where she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer. Under Tracey’s leadership, their economic mobility programs reached more than 8,000 New Yorkers annually, delivering approximately $20 million in income and assets. She also spearheaded their collaborative project to ensure the Citibike program was accessible to lower-income residents, an effort that has been nationally recognized as a model for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
“I’ve long known and admired the work of The HOPE Program,” said Ms. Capers. “I’ve marveled at their stand for our most forgotten New Yorkers, turning despair into hopes, and hopes into the reality of employment and opportunity. I feel so privileged to join an organization that aligns with my values and lifelong commitment to economic justice for all.”
Prior to her most recent leadership role, Tracey founded her own nonprofit and philanthropic advisory firm Capers Consulting. Other roles include Vice President of Development at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Chief of Staff at the NYC Department of Small Business Services and Adjunct Professor at City College. Tracey also serves on the boards of the Noel Pointer Foundation and Transportation Alternatives. Additionally, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Yale University and a graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government. Ms. Capers will succeed Interim Executive Director Diana Breen, a career interim executive leader, who will ensure a seamless transition overlapping with Ms. Capers through October 27, 2023.
This exciting hire could not have been possible without the deep commitment of the Board Executive Director Search Committee – Committee Chair Christina Horner, Lauren Samuel, Julienne Silverman, Robert Goldstein, Susan Elolampi, Paul Neuman, and Alix Oliver – and various other staff and board members who dedicated time, insights, and expertise during this search. Executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim was instrumental during the search process.
The Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Tracey Capers to her new role and lead The HOPE Program into the future.
