El Puente, a human rights institution with more than four decades of work in New York City and Puerto Rico, on Thursday announced Dianne Morales as its new executive director.
Morales brings over 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public service and social advocacy. A proud Afro-Latina and lifelong New Yorker, she has been a driving force in education, youth development and equity-centered initiatives across the city.
“On behalf of the co-founders of El Puente, we are delighted to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Dianne Morales as the next executive director of El Puente,” Dr. Frances Lucerna and Gino Maldonado, El Puente co-founders, said in a statement.
Morales, a Brooklyn resident, served as the executive director and chief executive officer of Phipps Neighborhoods and held leadership roles with organizations dedicated to youth development and social change. She also serves on the executive committee of the board of directors for Human Services Action and Ramapo for Children, and ran as a mayoral candidate in the Democratic primary in 2021.
As El Puente’s new leader, Morales will oversee strategic direction, strengthen partnerships, and advance the organization’s vision of social justice through cultural arts and civic engagement.
Her leadership marks an important new chapter for El Puente, which has long been rooted in Puerto Rican culture and dedicated to community self-determination.
“Congratulations to Dianne Morales on becoming executive director of El Puente! For over four decades, El Puente has created community-led movements of self-determination and served as a community pillar in Los Sures and Bushwick. With decades of nonprofit experience and a particular focus on youth development, I am so excited to see Dianne’s vision for El Puente and wish her great success in this new role,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
