Good Shepherd Services Announces Three New Executive Team Members

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Shepherd Services, one of the largest youth services providers in New York City, today announces three new members of the organization’s executive leadership team. This includes Theory Thompson as Chief Program Officer for Educational and Vocational Programs, Elizabeth Garcia as Chief Program Officer for Community-Based Programs and Victor O. Olds as Chief Legal Officer. Thompson and Garcia have each been with Good Shepherd Services for over a decade while Olds most recently served as the Director and Chief Procurement Officer of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Contract Services.

“We are incredibly excited and fortunate to welcome Victor to Good Shepherd Services as our new Chief Legal Officer and to congratulate Theory and Elizabeth on their promotions to Chief Program Officers,” said Michelle Yanche, Executive Director of Good Shepherd Services. “They bring a deep wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to the communities we serve. Together, we will continue to bring equity to the forefront of all our programs and help thousands of children see what they can be.”

Victor Olds joins GSS after serving as Director and Chief Procurement Officer of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, where he oversaw all aspects of NYC procurement policy, implementation, and rule compliance. His many accomplishments include developing and implementing the city’s PASSport procurement system, establishing a PPE global supply chain for NYC in response to the pandemic, and increasing the city’s MWBE contract utilization to over $1 billion annually. Olds began his career as a Litigation Associate at Mayer Brown LLP and received degrees from both Cornell University and Fordham Law.

Theory Thompson first joined GSS in 2006 as the Senior Program Director of LifeLink College Bridge & Retention Program, where he worked to ensure the success of college students in the Bronx. Theory’s expertise has helped guide GSS’s post-secondary work as it has expanded. His portfolio has grown to include Community Schools, The Ernst & Young Mentoring Program at Stevenson High School, and Bronx Bridges High School. Prior to joining GSS, Thompson was an Adjunct Professor of African American Studies at both SUNY New Paltz and Bronx Community College. Thompson holds degrees from Morehouse College, The Ohio State University, and The City University of New York – Hunter College.

Elizabeth Garcia first joined GSS as a Program Director in 2009, where she handled the administration and supervision of GSS’s Chelsea Foyer, an innovative 40-bed transitional living program for young adults aging out of Foster Care, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Most recently, Garcia has been Division Director for Supportive Housing & Outreach Initiatives at GSS since 2014. Garcia began her career as a Resident Advisor at Covenant House International Institute and holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and New York University.