We partnered with Brooklyn Defender Services on the search for a Managing Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. The search resulted in the appointment of John Yates to the role.

John is a first generation, queer, mixed race, leader born and bred in New York City. Social justice has been a driving force throughout his career in nonprofit and government service. Most recently, John served as the Director of Racial Equity and Social Justice at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In this role, he supported the Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response as well as the agency’s Chief Equity Officer in addressing the health inequities of the COVID-19 global pandemic seen across New York City’s 8 million+ residents.

As Managing Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), John is responsible for supporting BDS in their anti-racism and equity goals by facilitating transformative organizational change strategies that foster DEIB in both their approach to and outcomes of their work. John brings with him 10 years of community advocacy and equity strategy experience.

John received his B.A. in Sociology from DePauw University, his MBA from Metropolitan College of New York, and is currently a J.D. candidate at the CUNY School of Law.