Dr. Green currently serves as the Executive Director of the HOPE Center Harlem, and was previously the Deputy Director of the Office of Substance Use, Policy, Planning and Monitoring at NYC’s Human Resources Administration (HRA). In her more than 20 years of direct practice and management experience as a clinical social worker, psychotherapist, fatherhood practitioner, professor and administrator, Dr. Green has had a tremendous impact on countless New Yorkers. She is skilled in various areas of mental health, program planning, development, clinical supervision and building strategic partnerships.

A licensed clinical social worker, Dr. Green’s research interests include mental health, trauma informed clinical practices, fatherhood, maternal health, pregnant and parenting families, child-parent attachment and perinatal mood disorders. Dr. Green has a deep commitment to community, working with underserved and marginalized populations. Her work explores the experiences of young fathers and the impact on paternal involvement on family dynamics. She is devoted to promoting open dialogue around the destigmitazation of father absence, men’s mental health, and ensuring that all children have access to both parents in a safe co-parenting environment.

Dr. Green has received several awards and has been recognized as a leader by national organization as well as her peers. She received the National Association of Social Workers, New York City Chapter’s (NASW-NYC) Social Work I.M.P.A.C.T. Award in 2019. The award, which is the chapter’s highest honor, is presented to a social worker who “exemplifies the commitment to social justice, equity, empowerment, and civil rights, through their work, research, advocacy, practice, embodiment of the social work profession, and their dedication to the communities and individuals they serve.” In 2015, she also received the chapter’s Mid-Career Leadership Award. Most recently, in 2019, she was inducted into the Pi Pi Chapter of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society. In the same year, she was selected as an honoree for the Living the Dream Award by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. In 2016 Dr. Green was granted the Cause Marketing Summit Awesome Possum Award for Distinguished Leadership and she was named Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated’s Human Services Award recipient for outstanding service in 2015.

Dr. Green is the founder and executive director of The Akira Center, Inc. a free community based social services program focusing on fatherhood, healthy relationships, and mental health. She is a member of the Mayor’s Taskforce for Responsible Fatherhood working with New York City agencies to help them infuse “father friendly” activities into their programs and continues to serve on the leadership team developing strategies for father inclusiveness.

Dr. Green, a native of Harlem, NYC, holds both a doctorate and master’s degree in social work from New York University (NYU) and received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Dr. Green completed post-master’s certificates in Advance Clinical Practice from Hunter College, and the Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Addicted Clients from NYU. Dr. Green serves on several boards throughout the northeast and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Follow Dr. Green online @DrLenaGreen