Gary P. Jenkins

Gary P. Jenkins is the Chief Administrative Officer at Urban Pathways. Prior to joining the organization, Gary served as the managing director of not-for-profits and social services at Oaktree Solutions.

Gary was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in January of 2022 as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), which oversees both the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS). In this capacity, he was responsible for leading the largest local social services agency in the country. HRA serves over 3 million New Yorkers through the administration of major public assistance programs and strives to combat poverty and income inequality in New York City. DHS is the largest municipal shelter system in the nation and works to prevent homelessness, when possible, address street homelessness, provide safe temporary shelter, and connect New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to suitable housing. Together, DSS-HRA-DHS have a combined staff headcount of nearly 15,000 and a combined operating budget of nearly $13 billion.

Gary’s 30-plus-year history with DSS-HRA-DHS began with a front-line position in HRA, where he rose through the ranks to become Administrator of HRA, eventually reaching the organization’s pinnacle when he was appointed to serve as Commissioner of DSS. During his tenure as Commissioner, he led the agency’s response to multiple crises, including the COVID-19 public health emergency and a humanitarian crisis when thousands of asylum seekers entered the DHS shelter system.

In addition to HRA Administrator, Jenkins previously served as HRA First Deputy Commissioner, where he oversaw HRA’s Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA), Career Services, the Office of Child Support Services, and the Fair Fares program. Prior to that, he served as Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Family Independence Administration, where he was responsible for and oversaw the administration of temporary cash assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and employment services for HRA clients.

Gary received his master’s in public administration from Metropolitan College of New York in 2006 and his bachelor’s degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1999.

He resides in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and three adult daughters.