Morris Brings More Than Two Decades of Experience to New Role Leading the Largest City-Based Workforce Development Association in the United States
New York, NY – (Oct. 6, 2022) — Today, the New York City Employment and Training Coalition announced Gregory J. Morris as Chief Executive Officer of the largest city-based workforce development association in the country.
“Our city is at a critical moment, and our collective focus on equity and economic mobility is a pathway to a stronger, fairer New York,” said Gregory J. Morris, CEO of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition. “We need true, ongoing partnership across all parties — including elected officials, entrepreneurs, labor leaders, educators, sector-based alliances, BIDs and others —to meaningfully connect the most talented, dynamic and resilient workforce in the country to sustainable employment opportunities. The success of our more than 200 provider members and the thousands of New Yorkers they serve depends on the investment that our city makes in newly integrated systems that also foster an equitable economy to eliminate significant barriers in the labor market. I’m excited and honored to lead the NYCETC as we continue to navigate the complexities of a changing workforce landscape and build a better future in every borough.”
With more than 25 years of experience serving as a leader, practitioner and advocate on a city and state level for education and workforce development, Morris will guide NYCETC’s efforts to respond to the City’s current labor market crisis. His advocacy to increase accessibility to the multi-generational, neighborhood-based efforts and initiatives in support of children, families, and seniors, and the strengthening of the human services sector will also help address historic disproportionate gaps in employment and earnings New Yorkers face across race, gender, age and industry.
Morris steps in as CEO following NYCETC’s stewardship under interim CEO Annie Garneva, who has advocated for the interests of the workforce community as New York City transitioned to a new mayoral administration and City Council.
“Throughout his career, Greg Morris has been an exemplary advocate for underserved and under-resourced New Yorkers,” said Annie Garneva, interim NYCETC CEO. “NYCETC is uniquely positioned to work with our members and community stakeholders on making real, lasting improvements and investments for our city’s workforce. I’m excited to see the coalition continue advancing an agenda for an inclusive economy that represents and includes all New Yorkers by connecting them to the opportunities that position them to thrive.”
“New York continues to recover from two years of tragedy and disruption to our lives, and there is still a lot of work left for us to ensure our economy is equitable for New Yorkers that are often left behind,” said City Council Member Amanda Farias. “As chair of the Council’s Committee on Economic Development, it is clear that we already have a strong, talented workforce that deserves the resources connecting them to careers that help them and their families build generational success within their communities. The NYC Employment and Training Coalition has been an incredible partner in supporting our workers, and I look forward to my continued partnership with NYCETC under Greg’s leadership.”
“Greg Morris will bring a wealth of experience to the New York City Employment and Training Coalition as their new CEO. Greg is an innovative problem solver who has created successful support programs for youth, NYCHA residents, older adults, and more. His involvement with his local Community Board and collaborative style have helped effect positive change at the local level. He is an excellent choice, and I am confident that Greg will only improve an already premier workforce organization,” said City Council Member Gale A. Brewer.
“Gregory Morris was a dedicated member of the community in his tenure as Executive Director of the Stanley Isaacs Center working tirelessly to provide services to NYCHA’s Holmes Towers and Isaacs Houses and the surrounding community. He has been a critical voice for social justice in his service on Community Board 8’s Housing Committee. Mr. Morris will be a leader in the day-to-day management and operations of the largest city-based workforce development association in the country. I look forward to collaborating with NYCETC as they assist individuals overcoming barriers to employment opportunities,” said City Council Member Julie Menin.
“I would like to congratulate Gregory J. Morris on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer for the New York City Employment and Training Coalition,” said City Council Member Nantasha Williams. “His wealth of experience will continue to lead NYCETC’s mission of helping individuals overcome barriers to employment through education and training programs that strive to offer opportunities that are equitable, inclusive, and accessible to all New Yorkers.”
“As we continue to recover from the pandemic, New York City’s workforce development community has and will continue to play a critical role in building one of the most dynamic economies in the world”, said City Council Member Marjorie Velazquez. “With the NYC Employment & Training Coalition’s powerful advocacy for a fairer economy and increased access to vital job training for all New Yorkers, I am excited to work together to bring forth a new era in our city.”
“Now more than ever, we must ensure that every New Yorker has access to the skills and training they need to thrive. With a proven track record of community service, I am confident that Greg will unite New Yorkers of all backgrounds and build more accessible, family-sustaining career pathways,” said Kathleen Culhane, President of Nontraditional Employment for Women and Chair of the NYCETC Board of Directors. “I thank Annie Garneva for her dedication to the workforce community and for her visionary leadership – and I look forward to working with Annie and Greg to build an equitable and thriving economy that works for all New Yorkers.”
“The member agencies of NYCETC all share a commitment to closing the skills gap, mitigating barriers to employment, and expanding access to sustainable careers, said Jennifer Mitchell, Executive Director of The HOPE Program and Vice Chair of the NYCETC Board of Directors. “With a long track record of leadership in elevating under-resourced communities, Greg is uniquely positioned to serve as our next CEO and champion of strategic investments in local jobseekers and New York City’s vast workforce development system.”
“I have been honored to work with the board members, staff, and member agencies that make up NYCETC, and I know how integral their collaboration is in ensuring equitable access and representation across New York’s workforce,” said Wayne Ho, President and CEO of the Chinese American Planning Council (CPC) and Policy Committee Chair of the NYCETC Board of Directors. “I have known Greg for over a decade and am thrilled to welcome him to this community. I look forward to working in tandem with Greg and the coalition to further improve the reach of opportunities in our job force.”
“The City of New York is fully committed to a strong workforce and a robust economy that includes every single New Yorker, and I’m excited to work with Greg Morris and the NYCETC on delivering that promise,” said Lisette Nieves, Co-chair of the NYC Future of Workers Task Force and President of the Fund for the City of New York. “NYCETC has been an invaluable voice on behalf of the workforce development community, ensuring job seekers and job creators alike can collaborate to realign a complex but essential resource for families and communities in every borough.”
“When it comes to making sure that every person has access to opportunity, we need advocates for change who believe in treating all members of our workforce with dignity and respect. Greg Morris is one of those leaders,” said Katy Gaul-Stigge, Co-chair of the NYC Future of Workers Task Force and President of Goodwill NYNJ. “Equity and access are central to what we do at Goodwill and why we trust NYCETC as a valued partner in how we reimagine a fairer, more inclusive economy. Together, we will continue to push forward for the reforms and innovations that working New Yorkers deserve.”
“Now may be one of the most important times for Workforce Development organizations to work together to get more New Yorkers skilled and employed and on stronger paths to good paying jobs. Greg’s leadership experience, knowledge of the field, and his deep understanding of this changing and complex landscape will be a critical asset for NYCETC, New York City, and all of the various partners working together on this important goal,” said Angela Pinsky, Senior Government Affairs Manager at Google.
“We’ve had the privilege of working with Greg Morris during his tenure at the Isaacs Center and the Hudson Guild, and we’re thrilled to see him stepping into this role leading NYCETC,” said Carley Graham Garcia, Head of Community Affairs for Amazon New York. “Greg’s knowledge and expertise in workforce development will serve NYCETC and so many New Yorkers seeking employment across this great city.”
“Henry Street Settlement is thrilled with the appointment of Greg Morris as NYCETC’s new executive director. Greg is a committed and compassionate leader in our sector, who understands not only the complexity of workforce development in our city, but also the importance of the fundamental and foundational pieces that must drive this work. Greg has the experience, skillset, and values to connect the myriad stakeholders of New York City’s workforce development system to ensure it reaches its potential for the economic vitality of the city in a way that creates opportunities for all New Yorker including the city’s most vulnerable,” said David Garza, President & CEO of Henry Street Settlement.
“Greg Morris’ experience on the ground connecting everyday New Yorkers to the capacity-building resources, training, placement and wraparound services that help them succeed is exactly why he’s an excellent choice to lead the New York City Employment & Training Coalition,” said Sharon Sewell-Fairman, Chief Executive Officer of the Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI). “Too many people, especially low-income New Yorkers, face structural barriers to employment that can be addressed by a stronger and streamlined workforce development system. NYCETC is at the frontlines on behalf of our workforce providers, and WPTI is eager to work alongside the NYCETC.”
“We’re excited to continue and strengthen our long partnership with the NYC Employment and Training Coalition and to, alongside Greg, lift up New York City’s workforce system as a national example of innovation,” said Melinda Mack, Executive Director of the New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals.
“Workforce Development plays a critical part in preparing New Yorkers to meet the demands of many important and innovative industries,” said Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College. “Gregory’s expertise and vision will benefit the coalition and its efforts to keep New Yorkers thriving in the workforce. Congratulations to Gregory.”
“Strengthening workforce development is critical to elevating New Yorkers out of poverty,” said Matthew Klein, Chief Program & Impact Officer at Robin Hood. “I’m certain that Gregory Morris’s personal and professional experiences will allow him to effectively strengthen the workforce field and create new solutions that directly impact and improve the lives of New York’s underserved communities. Congratulations to Greg for assuming this important role and to the NYCETC for bringing on such an accomplished and mission-driven leader.”
“I am so pleased that NYCETC is going to be led by Greg Morris, a tested leader in the community and workforce space with decades of experience working hard for communities, families, and individuals across the city. We continue to be met at an unprecedented moment in NYC history, politically, economically, and socially. I am thrilled that NYCETC has a seat at the table to ensure we can maximize how the workforce system collaborates, operates, and is organized,” said Angie Kamath, Dean of the NYU School of Professional Studies.
“JobsFirstNYC is pleased to congratulate Greg Morris on his selection as CEO of NYCETC, an organization which has been an invaluable resource partner in helping to create stronger alliances within New York City’s workforce development system. Greg has demonstrated his ability to reimagine how we do work in the nonprofit sector and is a steward for strong partnership and collaboration across the sector. With his varied skills and experience, I am confident Greg will advance NYCETC to ensure that every New Yorker has equitable access to education and skills training and we look forward to working with him and supporting his vision,” said Marjorie Parker, President & CEO of JobsFirstNYC.
“I am delighted to congratulate Greg Morris on his new role as the new CEO of the NYC Employment and Training Coalition. He is a passionate and tireless advocate for New York’s nonprofit human services sector. We are excited to work with Greg and the NYC Employment and Training Coalition, as we tailor workforce interventions advancing inclusive economic growth,” said Yahshaanyah Hill, Senior Vice President of Workforce Opportunity Investments at the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation.
Morris joins NYCETC after spending more than eight years with the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center). Based on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the nonprofit organization offers community-based services, including a youth program that connects out-of-work and out-of-school young adults with job readiness, training and employment opportunities to foster sustainable career paths. Morris facilitated Isaacs Center’s merger with Goddard Riverside Community Center in 2021 for the purpose of deepening and enhancing service provision in Upper Manhattan.
A board member for NYCETC and the Human Services Council of New York, Morris’s career also included leadership roles with organizations including Children’s Aid, The Door, and the University Settlement Society of New York.
Morris holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Baruch College School of Public Affairs and an undergraduate degree from New York University. He is also a member of Community Board 8 in Manhattan and co-chair of its Housing Committee.
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About the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)
Founded in 1997, the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) is the largest city-based workforce development association in the country. NYCETC works to ensure that every New Yorker — especially those who have been historically marginalized and disenfranchised and cut off from workforce opportunities — has access to the skills, training, and education needed to thrive in the local economy and that every business is able to maintain a highly-skilled workforce. Its over 200 members create jobs and connect underserved New Yorkers — primarily New Yorkers of color, New Yorkers with low or moderate incomes, New Yorkers with multiple barriers to employment, and New Yorkers who have been left out of the growing economy due to systemic and historic marginalization — to opportunities so they can support their families and give back to their communities.