Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, Ed.D., is a leader in New York City’s nonprofit sector and a seasoned executive with over 25 years of leadership experience. As President & CEO, Dr. Rainey has led Brooklyn Org’s (BKO) bold evolution from Brooklyn Community Foundation, creating a more inclusive and accessible model for community philanthropy. BKO has launched a new strategic plan to provide deeper support to nonprofit changemakers and marshal the resources required to end inequity in New York City’s largest borough.
Under Dr. Rainey’s leadership, Brooklyn Org has surpassed $130 million in total giving and expanded its sector-leading commitments to racial justice and community engagement. Dr. Rainey has championed a holistic participatory grantmaking approach in which all funding decisions are made in partnership with community members, along with annual Listening Tours that engage neighborhood residents in conversations that help shape BKO’s funding and policy priorities.
Dr. Rainey also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) for nearly a decade, where she was a pivotal leader in transforming the historic site. She was the primary architect of BNYDC’s innovative workforce development program and a key executive who helped significantly redevelop the Yard, dramatically increasing the number of small businesses and exponentially growing job opportunities in the area.
Her executive leadership at BNYDC included comprehensive oversight of workforce development, internal operations, security, and human resource strategies. During her tenure, Dr. Rainey played a critical role in repositioning the Brooklyn Navy Yard as a dynamic economic hub for New York City.
Dr. Rainey has also previously held leadership roles at Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO), Independent Living Association, Home Depot, Boar’s Head, and specialty food retailer Agata & Valentina.
A graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, Dr. Rainey holds a master’s degree in administration from Metropolitan College and a doctorate in leadership from St. John Fisher College. She is a member of the New York City Workforce Development Board and serves as a trustee of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, the New York City College of Technology Foundation, the Southern Connecticut State University Foundation, and the Mark Morris Dance Group.
Dr. Rainey is the recipient of several prestigious honors, including being named to The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business list, Schneps Media’s Brooklyn Power List, Crain’s New York BusinessNotable Black Leaders and Executives, and City & State New York’sBrooklyn and Nonprofit Power lists.
