People on the Move 10.13.23

The Fortune Society Names Leader

Stanley Richards will become president and CEO of The Fortune Society, starting Jan. 1, 2024.

Deputy CEO of the New York City-based nonprofit, Richards will succeed JoAnne Page, who is retiring after leading the organization for 34 years.

Having begun his professional career with The Fortune Society more than 30 years ago, he will bring lived experience and a deep understanding of The Fortune Society’s mission to his new role. A formerly incarcerated man of color, Richards has dedicated his life to criminal justice reform and reentry initiatives, beginning first as a reentry counselor at Fortune—where he worked his way up the ladder and took on various leadership positions—to becoming the first formerly incarcerated person to serve as the first deputy commissioner of programs and operations at the New York City Department of Correction.

Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society has advocated on criminal justice issues and is nationally recognized for developing model programs that help people with criminal justice histories to be assets to their communities. Its Fortune Academy, also known as The Castle, is a pioneering housing development that opened more than 20 years ago. Today, Fortune operates housing in all five boroughs.