The Doe Fund Appoints Robert Cornegy, Jr. Executive Vice President of External Affairs
The Doe Fund Appoints Robert Cornegy, Jr.
Executive Vice President of External Affairs
A crusader for racial and economic justice, the former Brooklyn City Council Member brings expertise in housing, criminal justice reform and social enterprise to the nation’s leading homeless services, reentry and workforce development nonprofit.
New York, NY— The Doe Fund is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Cornegy, Jr. as Executive Vice President of External Affairs.
After serving the Bedford-Stuyvesant community where he grew up — and where The Doe Fund began its work — Cornegy was term-limited out of office. As one of the Council’s most prolific legislators, he left a legacy of initiatives that advance racial and economic justice and improve the lives of vulnerable New Yorkers. This includes the Kalief Browder Bill, which makes it mandatory for the Department of Corrections to provide mental health, educational, and vocational services to detainees before they are sentenced.
When Cornegy returned to his Bedford-Stuyvesant community after playing professional basketball abroad, he found friends and former teammates struggling with mental illness and addiction. Using what he earned as an athlete, he opened a residential treatment facility for a population then referred to as MICA (mentally ill chemical abusers). He crossed paths with The Doe Fund, which was using sophisticated drug testing equipment at its Gates Avenue facility. Cornegy asked Doe Fund President George McDonald for permission to use the equipment to test his MICA clients, beginning a long partnership.
“This is full-circle for me. Even before becoming an elected official, I wanted to help people overcome challenges and achieve productive lives. The Doe Fund gave me that chance when I was starting out. Today, it is giving me that chance once again,” says Cornegy.
After realizing he could make a greater impact as a public servant, Cornegy ran for New York City Council with the goal of improving his district. “The Doe Fund was a resource and a partner from the beginning. Losing George last year makes this especially meaningful. I will use my expertise and experience to honor his legacy, advance The Doe Fund’s stellar reputation and grow this vital work,” he says.
Regarding Cornegy’s appointment, Mayor Eric Adams says, “I congratulate Robert Cornegy, Jr., my friend and longtime colleague in public service, on joining The Doe Fund and furthering his mission to advance racial and economic justice for our neighbors in need. Robert brings the expertise, the empathy, and the energy needed to tackle this critically-needed work and amplify the voices of vulnerable New Yorkers.”
Cornegy joins the organization at a pivotal moment when issues at the core of The Doe Fund — homelessness, criminal justice reform, and racial and economic justice — are at the center of national dialogue. Communities across America are seeking successful solutions and replicable models to address these seemingly intractable social problems.
“The Doe Fund is not your typical nonprofit,” says President Harriet Karr-McDonald. “We operate social enterprises generating millions of dollars in revenue, which goes into our programs and into the pockets of the men we serve. This innovation alleviates the burden on taxpayers and the government. In addition to Robert’s commitment to helping vulnerable people realize their potential, he has decades of experience with housing, finance, and business development. He will play a vital role in scaling The Doe Fund’s solution.”
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams says, “After working with Robert on the Council, I know the commitment, passion, and talent he will bring to The Doe Fund. This is a powerful pairing of a champion for vulnerable New Yorkers and a critical organization with decades of on-the-ground experience addressing the complex issues of homelessness, recidivism, and addiction. Rob’s leadership of the organization at this important juncture for our city can help contribute to an inclusive recovery. I’m certain that Rob will make The Doe Fund a vital resource and partner in our collective efforts to improve our neighborhoods and city.”
As Executive Vice President of External Affairs, Cornegy will identify and secure funds and political capital to execute on the organization’s mission and key strategic objectives.
He will introduce key stakeholders in government and the private sectors to the work and goals of The Doe Fund. Cornegy’s expertise in small business development will help advance the organization’s social enterprises and explore innovative new avenues like social cooperatives.
While in office, he helped lead the Council in advancing the social cooperative model. As a Mel King Fellow and Instructor at MIT, he studied the positive impact such cooperatives have on marginalized communities.
“The Doe Fund remains a tremendous leader in providing opportunities for work, where society has largely given up. The next logical step is providing ownership. Ownership brings with it a sense of pride, dignity and longevity. I look forward to increasing The Doe Fund’s footprint in this space,” says Cornegy.
Cornegy will leverage the lived experiences of his Doe Fund colleagues, 70% of whom are program graduates. “Having credible messengers who have overcome homelessness, incarceration, and addiction is game-changing. These are the real future leaders of this movement and their voices must be heard,” says Cornegy.
