As we shared recently, Gary Bagley has decided to step down from his position as executive director at the end of 2021.
Since 2004, Gary has played a pivotal role in the development and success of New York Cares—from responding to Hurricane Sandy and most recently, the pandemic. He will be missed and we wish him all the best in his next chapter.
As you will see in my note below to staff, our Board of Directors has formed a search committee and will provide updates on that process as it moves forward.
We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition and continuing to build upon the great work fostered under Gary's leadership. Thank you for joining us on our mission to turn caring into action, connect resources through partnership, and actively create substantial, positive, long-lasting change in our communities.
Paul J. Taubman
President, Board of Directors
Dear staff,
As you know, after seventeen extraordinary years, Gary Bagley has decided to step down from his position as executive director at the end of 2021.
From the moment Gary first walked through the doors of New York Cares in 2004, he has selflessly committed himself to the mission that we all love. We are tremendously grateful for what he has done for New York Cares and to have the benefit of his continuing leadership during the search process for his successor. The board is focused on a seamless transition and has formed an executive director search committee comprised of board members who will bring diverse perspectives and experience to the process. Updates on the search will be shared with you as it progresses.
Under Gary’s leadership, and because of you, New York Cares has grown even stronger—cementing its position as a leading non-profit organization in New York City. During Gary’s tenure, New York Cares has tripled its annual volunteer service delivery—executing more than 20,000 projects and filling 150,000 volunteer positions annually. You, the superb New York Cares staff, make miracles happen every day. The lives of innumerable New Yorkers are made better by your efforts, and I want to express the gratitude of the entire board for your dedication and hard work. I’ve asked Gary to schedule a Town Hall this summer, so I can answer any questions you may have about the leadership transition and hear from you about your goals for New York Cares.
Certainly, the pandemic has profoundly challenged us, and New York Cares more than met that challenge in ways we never could have imagined. Since March 2020, with Gary at the helm, New York Cares provided personal outreach and support to nearly 80,000 individuals—including families in transitional housing, isolated seniors, and veterans in every borough. We dramatically expanded our hunger programming fifteen-fold, delivering more than 40 million meals since the onset of the pandemic. All of this has been accomplished by the thousands of New York Cares staff, volunteers, and good friends.
This isn’t the first time that this organization has responded to a city-wide crisis. After the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, we launched programs serving homeowners, community-based organizations, and schools in the affected areas. And as we look ahead, we will continue to focus more of our resources on New York’s most vulnerable communities, increasing the impact of our work significantly.
We will be sure to celebrate the remarkable work of New York Cares under Gary’s leadership and to say thank you. On behalf of the Board of Directors, my thanks for all that you do.
I look forward to seeing you at our Town Hall this summer.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Taubman
President, Board of Directors
