José leads Demos' efforts to recruit, develop and retain top-quality talent and foster
a positive, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Prior to joining Demos in 2017, José co-founded a New York City Department of 
Education (NYCDOE) school for overage, under-credited, middle and high school 
youth of the South Bronx. José was responsible for school operations, including 
fiscal management and purchasing, hiring and staff development, and facilities 
management. In four years, he helped to grow the school from a two-person 
founding team, to 40 plus staff working to reconnect students and their families to 
the transformative power of education.

Prior to joining the NYCDOE, José spent over 11 years at Safe Horizon, a New York
city based non-profit that provides support to more than 250,000 children, adults 
and families whose lives have been impacted by crime and abuse. During his time 
at Safe Horizon, José held many positions including Director of the Streetwork 
Project, a drop-in counseling center for unhoused and precariously housed youth. 
José was responsible for the management and oversight of the Harlem based drop-
in center and its staff, that provided critical support services to over 1,000 of New 
York City’s most vulnerable youth each year.

José currently resides in the Hudson Valley of New York and is an avid concert, 
dance, theatre and movie goer.