New Yorkers For Children Announces New Leadership

New Executive Director and Board Co-President to bring new energy, strategic vision in support of children and families impacted by New York’s child welfare system

New York, NY (February 22, 2023) – New Yorkers for Children (NYFC) is pleased to announce two new appointments to its leadership team, welcoming Alan Yu and Dr. Denise Maybank to their new roles.

Following an extensive process led by its executive search team, Alan Yu, formerly chief development officer for the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, has been named the new executive director of New Yorkers for Children (NYFC), effective immediately. Dr. Denise Maybank, vice chancellor for Student Affairs for the City University of New York and a member of the NYFC Board of Directors for two years, has been named co-president of the board.

Yu, a seasoned nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience in the public and private sectors, is passionate about improving the lives of children and families in New York City. He is an active member of Trinity Church Wall Street’s Congregational Council, serving on the Affordable Housing & Homelessness Strategic Task Force, and was formerly a member of Manhattan Community Board 5. Yu has a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Maybank holds a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the vice chancellor for Student Affairs at CUNY, and previously served for 15 years as the vice president and associate provost for Student Affairs and Services at Michigan State University. Maybank is a lifelong learner with additional credentials as an educational leader through AASCU and the Harvard Institute for Educational Management.

NYFC is viewed as a safety net for New York City’s most vulnerable and resilient young people, particularly those aging out of the foster care system who are at the greatest risk of depression, poverty, homelessness, and interactions with the criminal justice system. Yu hopes that by expanding the programs and services NYFC offers, the organization will have an even greater impact on the livelihoods of everyone the organization serves. Susan Burden, a longstanding member and president of the NYFC Board of Directors, expressed her enthusiasm for the newest members of the leadership team.

“This is a crucial moment of transformation for New Yorkers for Children.  These additions to our leadership team promise an exciting future for the organization.  Alan’s energy, fresh perspective and institutional expertise married with Denise’s breadth of experience and deep connections to New York City –their common passion for child welfare—ensure a dynamic new chapter for NYFC.”

About New Yorkers for Children

NYFC is a nonprofit organization that improves the well-being of youth and families in the child welfare system, with an emphasis on older youth aging out of the system. NYFC provides direct educational, financial, and emotional support and develops programs to fill gaps in the system in partnership with foster care agencies, community organizations, and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services. The organization is working toward a city where child welfare organizations have an abundance of resources to care for youth and families at risk or in need of support to lead safe, healthy, and rewarding lives. Find out more at www.newyorkersforchildren.org.