Providence House Names Mary Brosnahan as Chief Executive Officer

BROOKLYN, NY – Providence House today announced the appointment of Mary Brosnahan as its new Chief Executive Officer. Brosnahan, a veteran nonprofit leader who has spent more than three decades as a leading national voice onhomelessness and housing instability, began her new role today.

Brosnahan joins Providence House at a remarkable moment in the organization's history. She will lead its next phase of growth, including a major capital campaign that will strengthen Providence House's ability to serve women, families and people returning from incarceration.

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Throughout her career, Brosnahan has shaped the public dialogue based on her extensive experience in developing frontline direct service and permanent-housing, as well as groundbreaking advocacy. Her return to executive leadership reflects her belief that strong, community-centered housing and services are the bedrock of effective advocacy and citywide policy change. At Providence House, her experience will both strengthen the organization and expand its influence at the intersection of housing, homelessness and justice reform.

"Mary brings the experience, judgment and deep commitment to service and advocacy that Providence House needs as we enter this important new chapter," said Anju Mahajan Tawse, Board Chair of Providence House. "She believes that transformational change is rooted in strong, community-centered organizations, which, in tandem with committed partnerships,informs effective advocacy. At Providence House, we believe all people deserve to live with dignity and compassion, and we are confident that Mary will build on our nearly 50 years of service, lead our capital campaign and help us expand our reach and impact for the women, families and communities we serve."

For more than 45 years, Providence House has provided trauma-informed, community-centered services to unhoused women, children and people returning from incarceration. Its work includes permanent supportive housing, programs for women affected by the justice system, and services that help individuals and families achieve stability and greater independence. The firsthand knowledge gained through its direct work gives Providence House a unique and valuable voice to contribute to broader policy discussions about housing, homelessness, and justice reform.

"Providence House has built a remarkable record of meeting people with dignity, compassion—providing invaluable, practical support at critical moments in their lives," Mary Brosnahan said. "I am thrilled to lead an organization where community-centered permanent housing with services and advocacy reinforce one another – particularly in our Women's Justice Program, which has a non-recidivism rate of over 95 percent. I am honored to lead Providence House into this vital new chapter, working with residents, staff, partners and supporters to strengthen our programs, advance our capital campaign and ensure that our frontline experience shapes broader solutions for New Yorkers."

As Chief Executive Officer, Brosnahan will oversee Providence House's permanent housing and programs, operations, fundraising and external partnerships. She will also lead the organization's capital campaign, a central part of its plans to grow its reach and deepen its impact for housing women newly released from Rikers. Her leadership will focus on expanding housing-based solutions, strengthening programs, supporting staff, expanding partnerships and elevating Providence House's voice in shaping public dialogue and policies.

Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said, "Mary's bold leadership over the past three decades on housing and homelessness make her the perfect choice to take the helm at Providence House. Through her frontline service, her advocacy, and her writing, she is a leading national voice for our unhoused and too-often-forgotten neighbors. As Providence House expands its efforts to house women released from Rikers, I know Mary will be instrumental in pressing for meaningful reform at the intersection of criminal justice and housing."

"Providence House has spent decades proving that when we meet people with compassion, entire communities grow stronger. Mary Brosnahan brings a wealth of experience to this role, and I know Providence House's impact will only grow under her leadership," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "I look forward to working together to ensure that every Brooklynite has access to stable housing and the support they need to thrive."

"I'm proud to welcome Mary Brosnahan to Providence House," said New York City Council Member Chi Ossé. "Congratulations to Mary on a well-earned appointment and on a career spent fighting for New Yorkers who have too often been overlooked, from her years leading the Coalition for the Homeless to this next chapter. Our office is proud of the work we've done alongside Providence House, and we look forward to our continued partnership under her leadership."

"Providence House has spent more than four decades proving that when we invest in housing and supportive services, we invest in people's ability to thrive. Their trauma-informed approach has helped countless New Yorkers find stability and rebuild their lives," said New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson. "I congratulate Mary Brosnahan on her appointment and look forward to seeing Providence House continue to grow and serve our community under her leadership."

"Mary is an exceptional leader with vast experience in combating homelessness, non-profit management, and advocacy," said Christine Quinn, CEO and President of Women in Need, Inc. "She will bring Providence House strong, visionary, and effective stewardship at a time when our city grapples with record high homelessness. Mary's decades of service will add tremendous perspective and experience to the efforts to end New York City's homeless crisis. Her taking the helm at Providence House is truly exciting."

"Mary is an inspired choice to lead Providence House. She has been a highly respected champion of the city's unhoused population for many decades and has both the knowledge and commitment required to manage the organization during this very challenging time," said Kathryn Wylde, former CEO of the Partnership for New York City.

Providence House and its residents work alongside community partners to address the interconnected challenges of housing instability, homelessness and involvement in the justice system. Its next chapter will build on that record through stronger programs, expanded partnerships and the capital campaign Brosnahan will lead.

Before joining Providence House, Brosnahan spent decades advancing solutions to homelessness in New York City and nationally, including through her leadership of the Coalition for the Homeless. Her career has encompassed housing development, direct services, nonprofit management, advocacy and public policy. In addition to her leadership at the Coalition, Brosnahan's recently published book, "They Just Need to Get a Job: 15 Myths on Homelessness," gives her a widely-respected vantage on how organizations can meet the immediate needs of our unhoused neighbors, while effectively driving systemic change.

In her three-decades at the helm of the Coalition, Brosnahan developed supportive housing for New Yorkers with severe mental illness, grew a nightly mobile feeding program which now serves over 1,000 hot meals to our neighbors living rough on the streets; developed permanent housing for homeless families in East Harlem; provided Housing for People with AIDS; created an afterschool program for homeless youth; launched a sleepaway camp for homeless children; established New York City's only walk-in crisis intervention program; and, led a $26 million capital campaign to bring all the administration of these myriad programs under one roof in Lower Manhattan.

About Providence House

For more than 45 years, Providence House has provided trauma-informed, gender-responsive and community-centered services to women, families and people returning from incarceration. Through its housing and community-based programs, the organization helps New Yorkers build stability, strengthen their independence and pursue long-term opportunity. Learn more at https://www.providencehouse.org.