Gary Jenkins, the former social services commissioner under New York City Mayor Eric Adams, has joined Oaktree Solutions as the managing director of not-for-profits and social services. His first day is April 3.
Jenkins, who has over three decades of experience working and leading in city government, will help municipalities around the country deal with pressing social services issues, including homelessness.
“Gary will be joining April 3 as managing director of social services leading on non-profits and purpose work,” David Meadvin, an advisor to Oaktree, told amNewYork Metro. “Gary has incredible experience and the firm is thrilled to have him.”
Oaktree’s purpose is to help its clients solve complex challenges, and Jenkins has made a career out of doing just that. He’s excited to join the team and get to work.
Jenkins was appointed by Mayor 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.
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.
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