Feature
NEW LEADERSHIP
AT LIC’S FORTUNE
SOCIETY
Nonprofit adds to management team to continue its work
as an alternative to incarceration
BY BILL PARRY
For more than 50 years, The Fortune Society in
Queens has been paving the way for formerly
incarcerated people to face the challenges
and harmful stigmas that prevent them from
successfully reentering society.
Now the Long Island City-based nonprofit is strength-ening
its executive team with two key appointments.
Lou Miceli, an entrepreneur and seasoned leader
with decades of experience in the fields of work-force
and youth development, education and human
resources will serve as The Fortune Society’s new
Chief Operating Officer, a newly created position.
Donald Powell, who began his professional career
at The Fortune Society in 1993 as an HIV Coordinator,
returns to the organization as Associate Vice President
of Development and Communications.
26 SEPTEMBER 2019 I LIC COURIER I www.qns.com
“Fortune is proud to welcome Lou and Donald to our
executive team,” Fortune’s President and CEO JoAnne
Page said. “Their diverse and impressive backgrounds,
insights and perspectives, as well as their decades of
experience serving vulnerable populations, will enhance
our ability to serve people with justice involvement.”
In his role as COO, Miceli will ensure that Fortune’s
programs and administrative functions meet best
practice standards and that Fortune’s staff are fully
equipped with the tools and resources they need to
excel. Miceli most recently served as Chief Program
Officer for Semper Fidelis Youth Leadership Academy.
Prior to that, from 2010 to 2017, he was Executive
Director at JobsFirstNYC where he turned a fledgling
nonprofit into a high-impact organization with national
reach. He has advanced degrees in Management and
Social Work from New York University.
“I’m very excited to be part of The Fortune Society’s
future,” Micelli said. “Its work is driven by wonderful
talent with an excellent track record of success. I
look forward to the chance to strengthen and build
the organization.”
Powell brings more than two decades experience
working with incarcerated people, the LGBT community
and those impacted by HIV/AIDS, substance abuse
and behavioral health challenges. He will lead critical
fundraising efforts and work to increase Fortune’s
visibility in the press and social media as the organiza-tion
is a major player in alternatives to incarceration.
Formerly incarcerated, Powell first came to Fortune
as a stipulation of his parole in 1992.
“My professional career has now come full circle,”
Powell said. “Returning to Fortune gives me the oppor-tunity
to use my skills in grant writing, event planning,
donor cultivation and communications to support and
strengthen the very organization that helped me get
back on my feet. I’m eager to tackle the work ahead.”
Lou Miceli Donald Powell
Courtesy of The Fortune Society
/www.qns.com
/www.qns.com
