Lawanna Kimbro

As Managing Director of the Stardust Fund, Lawanna Kimbro leads Stardust’s philanthropic investment in leaders, organizations, and progressive social movements, using diverse and innovative strategies to catalyze change, build power, and support thriving communities. She has more than 20 years of leadership experience within social service agencies and nonprofit organizations aimed at improving the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities, most recently serving as Chief Program Delivery Officer for the NYC Department of Homeless Services, Deputy Commissioner for Outreach, Rehousing and Landlord Management and Chief Program Officer at the NYC’s Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

Prior to her leadership within New York City government, Lawanna worked as a staff attorney at the Equal Justice Initiative, where she focused on juvenile justice, anti-poverty and anti-discrimination initiatives that challenge the legacy of racial inequality in our country. Lawanna serves on the boards of Children’s Rights and Think of Us. She holds a MPA in nonprofit management and a MA in mental health counseling from New York University, as well as a JD from Georgetown University Law Center. She joined Brooklyn Org’s Board of Directors in February 2022.