Jonnel C. Doris, MPPA, MDIV

CEO, StartCare

Building A Brighter Future Award

Award-winning business and community leader with a proven history of success in creating positive change throughout all 
organizational levels with a deep commitment to equity in all forms, fostering inclusive and diverse environments and producing positive outcomes. Doris is the Chief Executive Officer of StartCare also known as START Treatment and Recovery Centers, the nation's oldest and largest minority-led healthcare organization of its kind providing cutting-edge biomedical research critical healthcare, addiction and behavioral health services to thousands of patients at multiple centers across New York City. 

Doris was previously appointed by Mayor de Blasio as the Commissioner for the NYC Department of Small Business 
Services (SBS) and Co-Chair of the Small Business Subcommittee of the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. 
Responsibilities included leading the nation's largest municipal small business and workforce agency with a focus on equity of opportunity, that leads to economic self-sufficiency and mobility for New York City's diverse communities. SBS connects 
New Yorkers to good jobs, creates stronger businesses, and builds a thriving economy in neighborhoods across the five 
boroughs.

Doris managed a budget of over $300M and over 300 employees while leading the City through the most difficult time in its 
history. He instituted numerous economic development programs during the pandemic, including 51 recovery programs, 
initiatives, and campaigns, several grant and affordable loan programs providing over $600 million to over 10,000 businesses
and serving over 120,000 job seekers. Under his leadership, SBS provided over 337,000 services to small businesses, workers, 
and neighborhoods across the city during the pandemic. 

Formerly, Doris served as the City's first Senior Advisor to the Mayor and Director of the Mayor's Office of Minority and 
Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE). Under Doris' leadership, the City more than doubled its certifications to 
9,620 firms, more than tripled its utilization from 8% to 30%, and awarded more than $14.6 billion to M/WBEs. Doris also 
led the City's efforts to secure a $41 million investment from four city depository banks for low interest revolving loan funds. 
His engagement in business communities, City agencies and both State and City legislatures has also influenced City efforts to pass several critical state and city legislation that expands opportunities for M/WBEs.

Doris previously served as the first Chief Diversity Officer for the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR), which 
oversees New York State's $4.4 billion recovery allocation for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 
(HUD), Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. 

At GOSR, Doris developed and implemented strategic initiatives resulting in increased utilization of state and federal 
M/WBEs and Section 3 businesses. He created the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights and developed GOSR's award 
winning Local Workforce Opportunities Program and Web Portal. These two resources continue to increase employment and business opportunities, while enabling thousands of M/WBEs, small businesses, and residents to participate in New York's 
rebuilding efforts.

His professional career includes extensive experience in the energy, utility, government, and business sectors working at 
Public Service Enterprise Group Long Island, Long Island Power Authority, KeySpan, and in both State and City 
Government. He is also a former small business owner who understands firsthand the challenges small businesses face.

Doris has received numerous awards and recognition over his professional career. Some include: 2024 Crain's New York 
Business Notable Black Leaders, 2024 Schneps Media Brooklyn Power List, 2024 City & State's Power of Diversity: Black 
100, 2023 Marquis Who's Who, City & State Economic Development Power 75 (Ranked #9), City & State 2021 M/WBE 
Power 50 (Ranked #2), City & State 2020 Responsible 100, The Network Journal Magazine 40 Under 40 Achievement 
Award; the Women Builders Council Diversity Champion Award; NYSAMC Public Sector Partner Award; City and State 40 
Under 40 Award; National Minority Business Council Award; and the Hispanic Chamber M/WBE Advocate Award. He also 
serves as a Trustee at American Museum of National History as NYC Comptroller Appointee and as a Board Member of the 
Founding Chapter of One Hundred Black Men of New York and the TruFund Financial Services. 

Doris is currently an Adjunct Professor at Baruch College School of Business and has guest lectured at Columbia University, 
NYU, Medgar Evers College, City College, ORU and frequently at Adelphi University. He also served on the Bishop's Racial 
Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.

Doris is an ordained minister and has served as a Pastor and community leader for many years. He holds several degrees and  certificates including: a Certificate in Strategy for Health Care Delivery from Harvard Business School, a Master of Divinity degree from Oral Roberts University and both a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Analysis and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology from Stony Brook University. He resides in Queens with his wife Rev. Aisha Doris and two 
children.