The Fortune Society Board Unanimously Appoints Rob DeLeon as President and CEO

The Fortune Society announced today that its Board of Directors voted unanimously last night to officially appoint Rob DeLeon as President and CEO of one of the nation’s leading reentry and criminal justice reform organizations.

The decision affirms DeLeon’s leadership at a pivotal moment for Fortune, an organization founded by David Rothenberg whose vision and courage have transformed countless lives over nearly six decades. Today, Fortune serves more than 20,000 people each year through a growing continuum of housing, workforce development, food and nutrition, treatment, alternatives to incarceration, education, family services, and advocacy programs that help people rebuild their lives after incarceration and strengthen their communities.

DeLeon, who has spent nine years at Fortune and 22 years working alongside communities most impacted by the criminal legal system, previously served as Deputy CEO before being named Interim President and CEO in February. His appointment reflects both continuity and forward momentum as Fortune continues to meet growing needs while advancing reforms rooted in dignity, fairness, accountability, and opportunity.

“Rob has earned the Board’s confidence because he leads with purpose, integrity, lived experience, and a deep respect for the people who make Fortune’s mission possible,” said Dennis Kozlowski, Chairperson of The Fortune Society Board of Directors. “He understands the organization from the inside out, honors the legacy David Rothenberg built, and has the vision to guide Fortune into its next chapter. At a time when the need for reentry services, permanent housing, employment pathways, behavioral health care, and justice reform has never been greater, Rob is the right leader to strengthen Fortune’s impact and ensure that the people we serve are met with the humanity, support, and opportunity they deserve.”

“It is an absolute privilege to lead The Fortune Society, an organization that has changed countless lives over the past six decades,” Rob DeLeon said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue this journey alongside our dedicated and talented team. Every day, our staff provides the housing, care, nourishment, job support, advocacy, and community that help people come home and move forward. I am honored to continue this important work with them, our Board, our partners, and the people who count on Fortune.”

Under DeLeon’s leadership, Fortune will continue building on its nationally recognized model of holistic reentry services and advocacy, grounded in the belief that successful reentry requires housing, employment, health care, community support, and policies that remove barriers to opportunity.

A native New Yorker, DeLeon has dedicated more than two decades to serving communities most impacted by the criminal legal system. Drawing on his own lived experience, he began his career as a youth counselor and has since developed innovative alternatives to detention and incarceration programs, including gun diversion initiatives, mentoring programs, and employment pathways that have connected hundreds of young people and adults to paid internships and jobs.

A respected advocate for criminal justice reform, DeLeon has helped advance major legislative efforts including Raise the Age, the Less is More Act, the Fair Chance for Housing Act, and the Close Rikers campaign. He has also served on numerous boards and commissions focused on juvenile justice, reentry, civil liberties, and community justice.

You can learn more about what elected officials and advocates said about Rob DeLeon’s appointment as interim CEO earlier this year here.