LEADER. SCHOLAR. ADVOCATE. FOUNDER.
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
Dr. Lena Green is a force! She is dynamic, engaging, warm and powerful. Her lived and professional experiences have given her a deep well from which to draw from. She’s got intelligence and wisdom and is committed to lifting up communities.
DR. LINDA LAUSELL BRYANT
Clinical Associate Professor for NYU Silver School of Social Work
Dr. Green is known as the “First Lady of Fatherhood” in our circles. She has made such an impact in working with fathers and young men of color in our city both as an administrator and someone who provides strategic programming on the ground. She has strong leadership skills, unwavering commitment to the community and is dedicated to the populations she serves. Our teams trust her vision, value her input and rely on her insight.
SCOTT LEACH
Director of Fatherhood Initiatives for NYC
Dr. Lena Green is led by passion and internal drive to positively impact the overall health and wellness of communities. She is an innovative, solutions-focused clinician whose balanced approach to care takes the whole person into account, including the environment and support needed to improve mental health. I am deeply familiar with Dr. Green’s caliber and body of work. And, it is with the utmost respect that I count her as a pillar in mental health leadership and a necessary, expert voice in the community at large.
AISHA THOMAS-PETIT
Diversity and Inclusion Executive
Dr. Green is knowledgeable about a range of issues that impact the lives of individual clients and groups. She is generous in her time as she teaches and mentors professionals – and conveys what she knows clearly and convincingly. I’ve heard her teach and speak on many occasions, and always walk feeling more interested and more enthused about the subject at-hand. She is a well-rounded and accomplished social worker who takes seriously the task of representing the profession and its values.
DR. MEREDITH HEMPHILL RUDEN, DSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist
Dr. Lena Green is one of the most amazing and committed professionals in this century. I first met her in 2008 as one of the founding partners for the Family Health Symposium. She is meticulous in her approach to her work and a visionary trailblazer in birthing the The Akira Center – a safe haven for supporting fathers and the principles of responsible fatherhood. Dr. Green is one of our rising leaders, committed to improving the quality of life for all!
DR. EDISON BOND, JR.
Healthcare Executive
AWARDS
- Phi Alpha Honor Society of Social Work (2019)
- NASW New York City Chapter: Social Work I.M.P.A.C.T. Award (2019)
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Gamma Lambda Chapter, Living the Dream Award (2019)
- Cause Marketing Summit: Awesome Possum Award for Distinguished Leadership (2016)
- NASW New York City Chapter: Mid-Career Exemplary Leader Award (2015)
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Psi Lambda Lambda Chapter – Human Services Award (2014)
EXPERTISE
- Mental Health
- Fatherhood
- Consulting
- Clinical Supervision
- Program Planning & Development
Copyright 2020 Dr. Lena Green. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2020 Dr. Lena Green. All rights reserved.