Jericho Project Welcomes Three New Directors to Its Board

NEW YORK, June 11, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Jericho Project, a nationally-acclaimed nonprofit ending homelessness at its roots, has announced the addition of three thought leaders in medicine, technology and public affairs to its Board of Directors.

"Dr. Elizabeth Garland, Andrew Moss and Peter Zheng each bring extraordinary professional accomplishments and community contributions to our Board. Their expertise spanning healthcare, technology, economics and public policy will guide our organization as we continue to forge innovative solutions to the complexities of homelessness," said Miriam Boublik, Jericho Project Board President.

The broader and diverse Board of Directors will enable the 37-year-old nonprofit to address the deepening needs of the city's vulnerable residents hardest hit by the COVID health crisis. Among the 2,500 New Yorkers Jericho Project serves annually, its dedicated programs for veterans, young – largely LGBTQ – adults and families will be vital to the City's ability to rebound.

"Over the years, Jericho Project's residents have proven that they can attain housing stability, wellness and pursue fulfilling lives. By focusing on the specific circumstances contributing to our clients' homelessness, we believe we can continue to see inspirational results. As our city seeks to reopen and rebuild, Dr. Elizabeth Garland, Andrew Moss and Peter Zheng will be instrumental in helping us to achieve these goals," said Tori Lyon, Jericho Project CEO.

With nine supportive housing residences and apartments across the five boroughs, Jericho Project's comprehensive counseling services, including employment, mental health and family reunification, have enabled 95% of residents to maintain stable housing, and 90% of those affected by substance abuse to maintain their sobriety.

The following bios detail the talents of Dr. Garland, Andrew Moss and Pete Zheng:

Elizabeth J. Garland, MD, MS, is Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health (EMPH) and the Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She has served as Director of the EMPH Division of Preventive Medicine and Community Health since 2002 and as Director of the General Preventive Medicine Residency since 1995.

"I spent the last few decades studying the impact of a built environment and the home environment on health outcomes for families and children. I look forward to sharing my insights with Jericho Project and helping to move the dial for the vulnerable populations it serves," Dr. Garland said.

She is a core faculty member in the Mount Sinai Graduate Program in Public Health (MPH), serving as the MD/MPH and DPM/MPH Academic Advisor, and the Health Promotion Disease Prevention Track Leader. She mentors many resident and student community-based projects in East Harlem. Dr. Garland's current research interests center on pediatric health disparities in the built environment, active living design, and nutrition.

Dr. Garland is affiliated with the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx for clinical care and outcomes research.

Andrew Moss is a seasoned technology executive/entrepreneur who has spent his career innovating, launching and managing a range of technology-based businesses including within Microsoft.

"I hope that my background will be helpful in building a bridge between under-resourced populations and the technology community. In these unsettling and challenging times, the work that Jericho does is so important to rebuilding our communities," Moss said.

After 17 years at Microsoft, he left to launch his own startup and consulted with various other new and existing ventures. In 2014, he joined the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence to advise and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs from within the NYU ecosystem. In 2015 he was named Director of Blackstone LaunchPad at NYU to implement and manage the initiative. In 2019, he joined the faculty at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering where he guides/facilitates/teaches Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Global Perspectives on Technology Management. He leads the development of a methodology for entrepreneurs and organizational leaders of all kinds to foster a desired Culture and Organizational Resolve (COR) grounded in clearly articulated principles shaping all aspects of the operation. In addition, he also serves on the Steering Committee for the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology and a contributor to the NYU Human Rights Innovation initiative. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Cheshire Academy, one of the oldest independent schools in the country. He is a mentor in Betaworks Ventures Circles program, part of the venture capital and accelerator's mentorship program.

Peter Zheng is a Business Integrity Associate with Facebook. He brings to the Board an interdisciplinary knowledge of public affairs and technology. He is a 2020 graduate of Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in New York City where he was a SIPA, Clinton, and Arete fellow and one of the youngest students accepted into the program, concentrating in Economic & Political Development and Urban & Social Policy and triple-specializing in East Asia; Management; Technology, Media, and Communication Studies. He was the 2020 Campbell Award recipient, which is the highest student honor designated to a graduating student at Columbia University.

"I hope to bring to Jericho Project's Board a voice of advocacy for communities of color, and work towards a more equitable society," Zheng said.

Zheng graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Honors College with quadruple majors, Magna Cum Laude, in Economics, Political Science & Government, Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Philosophy, Summa Cum Laude, (masters-level degree) in Psychology within four years. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Bronx Arts Ensemble and is a member of the Professional Advisory Council for Literacy, INC, and an alumni board member for Pitt Honors College. His academic research is published in international journals and cited in early childhood education books. He's a proud first-generation college student and son of hard-working Chinese immigrants. He hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

For more information: jerichoproject.org | @jerichoproject1983

SOURCE Jericho Project