Jeannette Ruffins, MSW, is the Chief Executive Officer of Homeward NYC. Homeward NYC provides housing and support services for older adults, young mothers with children, and LGBTQIA young adults. Ms. Ruffins has more than 30 years of experience serving vulnerable and at-risk people experiencing homelessness, with a particular focus on young adults. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Work. She currently serves on the boards of the Supportive Housing Network, the Human Services Council, and Homeless Services United, and formerly co-chaired the NYC Continuum of Care. For 10 years, she taught at Brooklyn College’s Graduate School of Education and lectured at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Social Work. Before coming to Homeward NYC, Ms. Ruffins was the Senior Vice President of Housing at Bailey House. There she was responsible for overseeing the housing portfolio, over 500 units of congregate and scattered-site housing, housing placement services, and rapid rehousing for young adults. She is passionate about housing first, harm reduction, and designing new housing models to improve housing stability and end homelessness.