Helene Lauffer has led not-for-profit organizations for 30+ years, with city government and foundation experience as well. She is passionate about designing, funding, and implementing direct service programs and translating the learning into policy and advocacy agendas and action. Although she has focused on domestic human services and social justice issues in New York City, she has also lived and worked in India and Indonesia.
Helene is known as a dynamic leader with proven expertise in change management, fundraising, financial and organizational management, creative problem-solving, effective team-building, and motivational leadership.
Most recently, Helene served as the Chief Operating Officer of The Jewish Board, a $230 million NYC not-for-profit focused on mental health. Previously, she served as the Jewish Board’s Executive Program Director for Adult and Family Housing, managing a portfolio of 1200+ housing units for seriously mentally ill residents throughout the pandemic period. Prior to joining Jewish Board, Helene was the Associate Director of Catholic Charities (Archdiocese of New York), the Director of the NYS Disaster Case Management Program following Hurricane Sandy, and the Associate Director of Spence-Chapin Services.
Helene also held previous positions at The September 11th Fund, Advocates for Children, NYC 2012, Safe Horizons, The NYC Department of Correction, and the NYC Mayor’s Office Of Operations.
Helene has taught public policy and management as an adjunct professor at NYU’s Wagner School. She has served on the board of numerous organizations, including the Association for Community Living, WRI Solutions, the New York Immigration Coalition, and the National Immigration Forum. She is currently active as a volunteer leader with The States Project.
Helene completed the Support Center’s Interim Executive Leadership Training course in 2024. She received her BA in English from Brown University and her MA in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. She lives in New York City.
LinkedIn: Helene Lauffer