As we enter the new year, The Fortune Society is thrilled to welcome a new member of our growing community. Since joining Fortune’s staff, Jaleel Poole has made a significant impact in his role as a Data Analyst, supporting Transitional Services (RISE) and Employment Services (ES).  

We recently sat down with Jaleel to reflect on his journey at Fortune so far and the unique perspective he brings to his work.   

Jaleel joined Fortune with years of experience working in research-focused environments. He earned his Master of Public Health from Columbia University, where he developed an understanding of how systems and data intersect with people’s lived experiences. Jaleel then worked in research roles at Weill Cornell Medicine, gaining hands-on experience with complex datasets.  

Throughout his academic and professional journey, Jaleel maintained a commitment to public service and a driving desire to create positive societal change. That commitment led him to apply for a position at Fortune. 

Although data has always remained central to his work, Jaleel’s role at Fortune encourages him to look beyond numbers and metrics alone. During his time at the organization, Jaleel has gotten to know many participants and staff in the community, and these interactions have continued to inform his approach to his work. Jaleel emphasized that analyzing data is about understanding the real-life impact behind the numbers.  

“It’s not just looking at data as numbers, but looking at the people and their stories and understanding the experience of incarceration,” Jaleel explained. “That’s something I have both a personal connection to… as well as a professional and academic understanding of. It shapes how I think about the data and how that experience impacts the people who come to Fortune and the services that we deliver.”  

Jaleel’s public health background influences his perspective on Fortune’s work as a whole. He emphasized that public health is closely tied to various factors that influence a person’s overall well-being. Fortune’s programs and services, including housing and employment assistance, food programming, and community support, are all critical factors that support an individual’s well-being.   

“What we do at Fortune is connected to public health because we’re helping people reimagine themselves, reinvigorate themselves, and find new hope and meaning in life,” Jaleel said. “When people can restart and rebuild, that’s public health. People need a foundation to be healthy, and so much of what Fortune provides helps create that foundation.”  

As Jaleel continues to grow in his role, his work serves as an essential reminder of how data, combined with a people-first mindset, can be a powerful tool for change. His unique perspective helps Fortune better measure impact while staying grounded in the experiences and needs of the individuals we serve.  

We are proud to have Jaleel as part of the Fortune community and look forward to the continued insight and dedication he brings to our work.