The Fortune Society Appoints Rob DeLeon as Interim President and CEO

(New York, N.Y.)—The Fortune Society’s Board of Directors today announced that Deputy CEO Rob DeLeon has been appointed Interim President and CEO, as current leader Stanley Richards steps into a new role as New York City’s next Commissioner of the Department of Correction on February 16.  

Building on more than eight years of leadership at Fortune and a lifelong commitment to advancing justice and opportunity for people impacted by the legal system, DeLeon will guide the organization through this transition while continuing its mission of supporting successful reentry and strengthening safer, healthier communities. 

“The Executive Committee of the Board’s decision to appoint Rob as Interim President and CEO reflects our confidence in his leadership and lived experience,” said Dennis Kozlowski, Chairperson of The Fortune Society Board of Directors. “Rob has dedicated his life to transforming a system that once impacted him, and he brings both a strategic mindset and compassion to this role.” 

“Rob has been at the heart of Fortune’s work for many years, and I have relied on his insight, partnership, and unwavering commitment to our community,” said outgoing President and CEO Stanley Richards. “As I step into public service at the Department of Correction, I do so knowing that Fortune is in capable hands; Rob understands what our participants need, how to support our staff, and how to push the government to deliver on the promise of real second chances.” 

“I am deeply honored that the Board has entrusted me with this responsibility at such a pivotal moment for Fortune and for New York City,” said Interim President and CEO Rob DeLeon. “This organization has profoundly shaped my professional journey, and every day I see the power of what is possible when people are met with dignity, opportunity, and real support. Stepping into this role means carrying forward the legacy of leaders like Stanley while working alongside our leadership team, staff, participants, and partners to expand safe housing, quality jobs, care, and true pathways home for people impacted by the criminal legal system.” 

The Fortune Society is a nationally recognized nonprofit that supports successful reentry from incarceration, and promotes alternatives to incarceration, through a comprehensive array of services and advocacy.  

DeLeon, who has served as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at The Fortune Society since January 2024, is an active leader in the juvenile justice and criminal justice reform landscape. He has spent his career of over 20 years serving New York City communities most impacted by the criminal legal system.  

A native New Yorker, DeLeon began his career as a youth counselor, leveraging his own personal experience with the streets and prison to help youth and young adults avoid incarceration.  As a service provider, DeLeon has established Alternative to Detention (ATD) programs for court involved juveniles, and Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs for adults and young adults, including Gun Diversion programs for first-time gun possession cases in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. In partnership with the New York City Department of Probation, he created mentoring programs in the Bushwick and Tompkins Houses in Brooklyn and has helped to connect hundreds of young people and adults to paid internships and jobs. 

As an advocate and spokesperson, DeLeon has supported and advised on many social justice issues, including prison and parole reform, fairness in policing practices, access to appropriate health care for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, and youth and community justice. He has collaborated with community partners, service providers, and government stakeholders on a number of successful legislative campaigns, including Raise the Age, the Less is More Act, the Fair Chance for Housing Act, and the Close Rikers campaign. He has spoken throughout the country on the issue of the criminal legal system’s disproportionate impact on communities of color and on the need for reforms. 

Mr. DeLeon has served on a number of boards and commissions, including as Board Member of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), Board Chair of the People’s Advocacy Institute of Jackson Mississippi, Board Treasurer of El Puente, Board Member of the Independent Professionals’ Association (IPA), Advisory Board Member of the Alliance of Families for Justice (AFJ,) member of the Rikers Island Young Adult Task Force, member of the New York City Juvenile Justice Oversight and Advisory Board (JJOAB), and as a member of the New York State Council on Community Justice (formerly the New York State Reentry Council). 

“The Fortune Society is a tremendous partner in our shared work to strengthen the fabric of our communities by connecting people to the help they need to succeed. I congratulate The Fortune Society on their outstanding selection of Rob DeLeon to lead the organization as Interim President and CEO during this era of transition and hope. I have known Rob and his work for more than a decade and look forward to continuing to support his leadership and legacy of service to others,” said Rossana Rosado, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice. 

“The success of people returning from incarceration is one of the most important foundations of public safety, and for years The Fortune Society has helped make that success possible by supporting individuals as they rebuild their lives with dignity and stability. Rob DeLeon has been at the center of that work. His leadership, integrity, and lived experience make him exceptionally well suited to lead The Fortune Society at this critical moment. I congratulate Rob on his appointment as Interim President and CEO and wish him every success in this important role,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. 

“The Fortune Society is an exceptional partner of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, particularly through our Court-Based Navigators program. The success of that program makes us confident in Rob’s leadership as he steps in as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. Rob is committed to advancing justice and supporting New Yorkers impacted by the justice system, and we look forward to continuing our partnership during this new phase of leadership,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. 

“Rob DeLeon is the right leader at the right moment for The Fortune Society,” said New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie. “He brings a clear, grounded vision rooted in his own lived experience and unwavering commitment to justice. As Interim President and CEO, Rob will lead with clarity and purpose, ensuring Fortune continues to transform the criminal legal system in New York and beyond—expanding opportunity, advancing accountability, and delivering real pathways to dignity and second chances for the communities we serve.” 

“Rob DeLeon has long been a visionary leader in the movement for carceral alternatives, and his appointment as Interim President and CEO of the Fortune Society comes at a critical moment,” said New York State Senator Julia Salazar. “As someone with lived experience, Rob brings both deep expertise and an essential moral clarity to this work. He understands firsthand what successful reentry requires, and he is uniquely positioned to lead an organization whose mission is to support people returning from incarceration while advancing real, community-based alternatives to incarceration. Under his leadership, the Fortune Society will continue to strengthen the fabric of our communities by centering dignity, opportunity, and transformative justice.” 

“I applaud The Fortune Society’s decision to appoint Rob DeLeon as Interim President and CEO. Rob has long been a champion for justice reform, bringing both lived experience and visionary leadership to the fight for dignity, opportunity, and second chances for New Yorkers impacted by the criminal legal system. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Rob and The Fortune Society as we advance policies and partnerships that strengthen our communities and deliver real, lasting change,” said New York State Assemblymember Catalina Cruz. 

“I extend my deepest congratulations to Rob DeLeon on his selection as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. Rob’s passion, vision, and commitment to serving others and reforming a broken criminal justice system makes him the ideal leader for this pivotal moment. I have no doubt that under Rob’s leadership, The Fortune Society will continue to drive transformative change and uplift those who need it most,” said New York State Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos. 

“Rob DeLeon’s appointment as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society marks an exciting new chapter, building upon the impactful leadership of Stanley Richards. Rob’s deep commitment to advancing equity and justice, and empowering those impacted by the criminal legal system, have well-prepared him to lead such an important organization as Fortune. I look forward to seeing the organization continue its vital work under his guidance,” said New York State Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs. 

“I am thrilled to congratulate Rob DeLeon on his selection as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. Rob’s unyielding commitment to uplifting justice-involved people and years of experience in criminal justice reform have well-prepared him to take on this new role. Fortune has created the model of supportive and affordable housing that I am proud to have in my district. I know with Rob’s leadership, he will continue to strengthen our partnership of support and work together to build stronger and safer communities for those who need it,” said New York City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu. 

“I congratulate Rob DeLeon on his appointment as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society,” said New York City Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chair of the NYC Council’s Committee on Criminal Justice. “Mr. DeLeon’s lived experience and personal commitment to this work uniquely position him to lead with both empathy and vision. I look forward to partnering with him to strengthen reentry services and leading my committee’s oversight to ensure people with justice system involvement are met with support, not stigma, as they build their futures.” 

“I am excited to congratulate Rob DeLeon on his appointment as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. His years of dedicated leadership and commitment to investing in community-based services have significantly advanced the needs of those affected by incarceration, helping to strengthen our communities. I am confident that The Fortune Society will continue to build on this strong legacy of leadership in its next chapter,” said New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán. 

“We congratulate Rob DeLeon on his new appointment as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. His vast experience in advocacy and life-long dedication to improving the lives of people both behind prison walls and once they come home make him well-equipped to lead this new chapter at Fortune. We look forward to continuing our partnership as we pave paths forward for some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers,” said New York City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. 

“This is a consequential transition for The Fortune Society and for the City’s reentry ecosystem, at a time when essential community services are in flux and public resources are increasingly constrained, squeezing organizations people depend on every day. With more than eight years of leadership at The Fortune Society, Rob DeLeon has been responsible for keeping programs operating, partnerships intact, and people supported through change—and I am confident he will continue to do so during this transition,” said New York City Council Member Amanda Farías. “Rob’s leadership embodies all the values at the heart of The Fortune Society: a belief in people’s capacity to change, a commitment to building lives through programs shaped by lived experience, and the resolve to change minds and systems through education and advocacy. I congratulate Rob DeLeon on his appointment and look forward to this work continuing without losing sight of who it is for.” 

“Rob DeLeon has spent his entire career creating opportunities for people impacted by the criminal legal system to rebuild their lives,” said New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson. “I am confident that he can provide the leadership and vision necessary to sustain and grow The Fortune Society’s critical direct service work as well as Fortune’s significant role in advancing criminal legal system reforms in partnership with the City Council.”   

“Rob DeLeon is an excellent choice to serve as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. His unwavering dedication to criminal justice reform is truly inspiring. As the former Chair of the Committee on Criminal Justice, I know Rob harnesses his lived experiences and deep passion for service to drive meaningful change. I am excited to continue our partnership in fostering justice and equity in our communities,” said New York City Council Member Sandy Nurse.  

“I congratulate Rob DeLeon on his new role as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society,” said New York City Council Member Yusef Salaam. “His personal journey and dedication to juvenile justice reform make him a powerful leader. I’m confident his work will continue to inspire change and support for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated New Yorkers.” 

“I congratulate Rob DeLeon on his appointment as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. His extensive experience in public service is a testament to his deep commitment and passion for making a difference for vulnerable New Yorkers. I am excited to see how The Fortune Society thrives under his leadership, and I look forward to continuing my support for the organization’s vital mission in our community,” said New York City Council Member Julie Won. 

“It is exciting news to hear of Rob DeLeon’s appointment as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. I’ve known Rob for many years and know that he will continue to drive meaningful and transformative change for justice-impacted New Yorkers. With his lived experience and extensive background in criminal justice reform, Rob brings a vital perspective that will undoubtedly enhance his leadership at The Fortune Society. The Center for Justice Innovation extends heartfelt congratulations to Rob on this significant appointment, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating in our shared mission to build safer and more resilient communities,” said Courtney Bryan, CEO at the Center for Justice Innovation.  

“Rob DeLeon brings to this role a longstanding commitment to strengthening the justice and reentry sector. Rob is a systems-level leader who understands how to navigate complexity across government, nonprofit, and community partners while building the infrastructure required to grow and sustain impact—helping to translate bold vision into operational reality,” said Dr. Gisele Castro, CEO of exalt Youth. 

“Rob DeLeon’s appointment as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society marks an important and inspiring new chapter for the organization. Rob brings deep integrity and vision to the field, always centering justice, dignity, and opportunity for people impacted by the criminal legal system. We are excited to continue working alongside Rob as he guides Fortune through this transition and builds on its powerful legacy in this new era,” said David Condliffe, Executive Director of the Center for Community Alternatives. 

“I am thrilled to congratulate Rob DeLeon on being named the Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. As the CEO of CASES, I have been continuously impressed by Rob’s dedication to advancing the collective work of ATI and Reentry providers and to better support New Yorkers impacted by the criminal legal system. Before joining Fortune, for many years Rob was a CASES staff member. He began by working directly with our youth program participants before eventually joining our organizational leadership. Rob’s hard work, collaborative approach, and vision for what is possible to transform the criminal legal system have been consistently inspiring and impactful. I look forward to continuing to work with Rob in his well-deserved new role leading Fortune,” said Jonathan McLean, President and CEO at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES). 

“Rob DeLeon has dedicated his career to lifting up others. Once a young person interacting with the criminal legal system, he is a proven leader in youth and reentry services and a powerful advocate for reform,” said Jon Monsalve, President and CEO of Osborne Association. “In his new role as interim CEO, Rob will continue to fight for a more just future and investments in people and communities. I look forward to the partnership ahead.” 

“I am thrilled to hear of Rob DeLeon’s appointment as Interim President and CEO of Fortune. I have had the pleasure of knowing Rob for over a decade, since we worked alongside one another to provide pathways to re-entry for young people impacted by the New York carceral system. As someone who has been impacted himself, Rob has firsthand understanding of the barriers that exist and the supports needed to overcome them. His commitment to this work has been unwavering. More recently, I have been fortunate to work closely with him as a member of the Board of Directors of El Puente. In this capacity, Rob has further demonstrated his ability to be a true partner in strengthening our mission of social justice and elevating community voices. The team at Fortune, and the impacted individuals they serve, could not be in better hands. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this decision,” said Dianne Morales, Executive Director of El Puente.  

“As Interim President and CEO, Rob DeLeon brings the executive judgment and collaborative leadership our field needs to meet this moment with clarity and confidence,” said Dr. Lisette Nieves, President of the Fund for the City of New York. 

“Rob DeLeon is a deeply respected leader whose life and career embody what community-based alternatives to incarceration and reentry supports make possible,” said Paul N. Samuels, Director and President of the Legal Action Center, which leads New York’s ATI/Reentry Coalition that The Fortune Society is a long-standing member of. “For years, Rob has been a trusted partner in advancing effective, humane solutions that reduce incarceration and strengthen communities. His appointment as Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society comes at a critical moment for New York; and I have every confidence that, under his leadership, Fortune will continue to set the standard for justice, dignity, and opportunity for people impacted by the criminal legal system. LAC congratulates Rob and Fortune and are excited to continue our close partnership.” 

About The Fortune Society 

Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society has advocated on criminal justice issues for more than five decades and is nationally recognized for developing model programs that help people with criminal justice histories become assets to their communities. Fortune offers a holistic and integrated “one‑stop‑shopping” model of service provision, including discharge planning, licensed outpatient substance use and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop‑in services, and supportive housing, as well as lifetime access to aftercare. For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org. 

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