Meet Our New CEO
Press Release
September 12, 2022
LSA Family Health Service Announces Jonah Gensler as Chief Executive Officer
New York City – Today LSA Family Health Service, a leading community nonprofit supporting thousands of low-income and immigrant families in East Harlem, announced that Jonah Gensler will lead the organization as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Gensler brings deep experience in nonprofit executive leadership, social services, and community engagement.
“Jonah Gensler is a phenomenal leader who emerged from a rigorous and inclusive search process that included LSA board members and staff. Jonah’s lifelong commitment to serving vulnerable communities, his proven track record of leading community nonprofits, and his extensive knowledge of health and social services galvanized our collective belief in his appointment. We’re confident that Jonah’s passion for health services and track record of growing revenue will ensure LSA continues to strengthen and scale its work to meet our community’s most pressing needs” said Ted Hopper, chair of LSA’s Board of Directors and CEO of Greensbury Market. “On behalf of the LSA staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors, I am excited to welcome Jonah to the organization and to working with all of them to build on our legacy of impact, and to support and empower our East Harlem families and community.”
Gensler joins LSA with more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience, addressing the most pressing community needs. Most recently, Gensler served as the Associate Executive Director of Community Services at Sunnyside Community Services, one of the largest social service Queens based nonprofits, where he oversaw a tripling of program revenue and services including the establishments of new community health programming.
Gensler also previously served as an executive leader at Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House, Ironbound Community Corporation, Trickle Up New York, and Samaritan House. The foundation for his approach to community engagement was born out of five years working in Nicaragua at the start of his career. A common thread throughout has been programming to support children and families including health services, case management and advocacy services, and education programs. Jonah holds a Master’s in Public Affairs from Baruch College and a Bachelor of Arts from Bard College.
“I’ve dedicated my career to supporting and empowering people to transform their own lives and their communities. As a nonprofit leader, I seek strategies that meet the most pressing needs of the community and combat health and social inequities. And that is what I see in LSA and why I am thrilled to join this organization. I am honored by this opportunity to work alongside the East Harlem community and LSA’s leadership, supporters, community partners, volunteers, and staff to ensure all East Harlem children and families have the chance to live healthy and fulfilled lives.”
LSA was aided in the CEO search by Josie Sandler and the team at Sandler Search. Mr. Hopper said that “Josie and her team were great partners in our search process and invaluable in helping us find Jonah.”
Gensler joins LSA’s leadership team of Ray Lopez, Director of Programs, and Lawrence Mitchell, Chief Financial Officer and Operating Officer who collectively have more than four decades of expertise and experience at LSA. Also new to LSA’s senior leadership team is Elizabeth Starling who recently joined as LSA’s Director of Development and brings over 25 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, sales, operations, and organizational leadership.
Mr. Gensler and Ms. Starling will join the LSA Board and community at LSA’s signature event, Spirit of East Harlem, on Monday, October 24th at 6pm at Guastavino’s. This year’s event will bring over 300 members of LSA’s community together to honor LSA’s community heroes who provided courageous support to LSA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit www.spiritofeastharlem.com for additional information.
About LSA Family Health Service
For nearly 65 years, LSA Family Health Service has met the most pressing needs of low-income and immigrant families in East Harlem. LSA provides essential resources –food, clothing, healthcare, and education, and equips families with the tools they need to achieve long-term success, in the belief that affirming families in their own dignity improves the entire community.
Through deep relationships with the community and hundreds of partnerships with community organizations and city agencies, LSA combats health and social inequities, and champions solutions to support the East Harlem community.
In the 2021 calendar year, LSA served approximately half a million meals and delivered food, advocacy services, health visits, mental health support, early childhood education and education services to over 2,500 individuals each month.
To learn more visit https://littlesistersfamily.org/.
CONTACT:
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Elizabeth Starling (estarling@lsafhs.org) for further information at any time.