Lifelong justice strategist and advocate brings experience and passion to organization.
(June 12, 2024) — Equal Justice USA announced today that Leonard Noisette will be the organization’s next board chair, effective immediately. He brings his decades of justice experience, strategic vision, and deep knowledge of financial scaling to EJUSA at a crucial juncture, as the organization expands the reach of a community-centered model for building public safety ecosystems.
“When I became the leader of EJUSA, one of the first things I did was connect with Lenny in hopes of bringing his wisdom and decision-making to the team,” said Jamila Hodge, EJUSA’s CEO. “Lenny’s perspective and intellect, as well as his connections throughout the justice movement, will be even more valuable to us as he takes on more leadership.”
After graduating from New York University Law School, Noisette began a long career in public defense, with nearly two decades at the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, where he would eventually rise to the executive director role, leading a staff of 35. Noisette brought that experience to the Open Society Foundation, where he led the U.S. criminal justice program and invested $20 million annually, over 13 years, in organizations reforming and transforming our system. Since leaving OSF, he has continued to teach at Fordham University School of Law while also consulting with other justice leaders.
“After years of witnessing EJUSA evolve, demonstrating how to work with partners to center the community in creating true solutions promoting safety, I’m thrilled to support the team in an expanded capacity as it builds real community healing and safety.” said Noisette. “EJUSA’s vision for true justice and accountability that repairs, manifested through its groundbreaking programs and advocacy, is much needed in this particular moment.”
Noisette succeeds Jesselyn McCurdy, the executive vice president for government affairs at The Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights, who steps down after six years as the board chair, and leaves the board after 14 years of extraordinary service, helping steer the organization as it grew into its current vision.
