Brooklyn Community Foundation Announces Monique Nieves as New Chief Operating Officer
– Nieves brings over 30 years of corporate and government experience to the first and only public foundation solely dedicated to Brooklyn –
(Brooklyn, NY)—Brooklyn Community Foundation, the first and only public foundation solely dedicated to Brooklyn, today announced it has hired Monique Nieves as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Nieves is a seasoned cross-sector professional with over 30 years of experience in operations and budgeting in city government and the hospitality industry. As COO, she will help manage Brooklyn Community Foundation’s growth while overseeing its ongoing operations to ensure the execution of its mission to mobilize community-led philanthropy for a fair and just Brooklyn.
“As a Brooklynite, I have always shared Brooklyn Community Foundation’s deep commitment to the people of our Borough. In this critical moment, with our communities facing unprecedented challenges, I am energized by this opportunity to be part of a changemaking institution dedicated to racial justice and investing in our borough’s nonprofit sector,” said Nieves.
“On behalf of our board and staff, I am thrilled to welcome Monique to our team as we build on our work to uplift Brooklyn nonprofits, promote equity and racial justice, and be a driving force for community-led change. Monique’s passion for Brooklyn and her diverse management experiences in both government and the corporate sector will be invaluable to our foundation,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Community Foundation.
Prior to joining Brooklyn Community Foundation, Nieves served as the Executive Director of Operations for the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Student Enrollment, overseeing human resources, budget, procurement, and contracts. In this role, she developed a culture of excellence and collegiality for 19 offices with over 250 employees and created efficiencies and strategies to maximize funding and human capital.
Nieves' career started in the hospitality industry where she served as the Director of Style and led the launch of new W hotel sites in multiple states. Her management responsibilities included over 200 housekeeping and operations staff. After 20 years in the hospitality industry serving on new hotel launch teams and managing housekeeping and operations staff, Nieves transitioned to the public sector, dedicated more than 18 years of service in the Department of Education.
Nieves is also deeply rooted in her community as an education advocate and volunteer. She is currently the Treasurer of the 77th Precinct Community Council, a member of the M.S. 239 Parent Teacher Association, and is a Neighborhood Advisory Board Member for Brooklyn’s Community Board 8. Nieves has also served as a mentor, working with women of color educational professionals across the United States to build on their personal and professional goals, and with Year Up, working with young people between the ages of 18 and 24 to support them in entering the workplace. For her community efforts, Nieves has received numerous community awards, including a citation from the Brooklyn Borough President highlighting her dedication to improving the lives of children in District 17 in Brooklyn.
Nieves has a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from the New York City College of Technology, where she also trained in the culinary arts. She is a proud Brooklynite with strong Boricua roots and is currently a Crown Heights resident.
Nieves joins the Foundation as it enters a new phase under the leadership of Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, who became President and CEO since December 2021. The Foundation currently oversees more than $125 million in assets and deployed a record $13.1 million to nonprofits last year through its Donor Advised Fund and strategic grantmaking programs. Last year also saw the Foundation’s full transition to participatory grantmaking approaches, through which it shares decision-making power with residents on nearly $5 million in annual strategic grants, prioritizing support for local racial justice organizations traditionally marginalized by philanthropy—87 percent of whom are led by people of color, and nearly half with annual budgets under $1 million.
About the Brooklyn Community Foundation
Brooklyn Community Foundation is on a mission to spark lasting social change, mobilizing people, capital, and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn. It is the first and only public foundation solely dedicated to Brooklyn, working in partnership with generous donors and community leaders to advance racial justice and bolster vital nonprofits. Since its founding in 2009, the Foundation and its donors have provided over $75 million in grants to nonprofits in Brooklyn and beyond. Learn more at www.BrooklynCommunityFoundation.org.
Media contact: Zac Roy, zac@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-9072
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