Joe Kenner named President and CEO of BCW Member Greyston

The Greyston Board of Directors announced the appointment of Joe Kenner as president and CEO of Greyston, effective immediately.

Andrew Yearley, the Greyston Foundation board chairman, remarked that, “Since joining Greyston in 2018, Joe has been a visionary PathMaker at Greyston, leading our internal teams, and delivering our game-changing open hiring and workforce development programs to the communities we serve. Under his leadership, Greyston will build on its leadership in employing, training, and empowering those most in need of job opportunities without judgment.”

Matthew Reich, Greyston Bakery board chairman, said, “Joe is already an experienced and valued member of the Greyston team, and brings an unmatched passion to expanding our work in Open Hiring and PathMaking at Greyston Bakery, and bringing it to other companies in the United States. I’m excited to work with him in his new role. He is the right choice during this critical time of economic transition affecting every community.”

Also commenting on Kenner’s appointment, Dr. Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester, said, “I am thrilled that the Greyston Foundation board selected Joe Kenner as Greyston’s next president and CEO. Joe offers extraordinary intellect and a wealth of experience from the private and public sector, through his work for PepsiCo, Lehman Brothers and Chubb & Son. and in senior positions within county and local government. We are proud to have Greyston as a BCW member and looked forward to working with Joe in his new capacity.”

Westchester Jewish Community Services President and CEO, Seth Diamond, added, “Joe Kenner is a fabulous choice to lead Greyston into this new era. His background, intelligence, experience and humanity will allow him to continue Greyston’s critical work in providing bakery jobs in Yonkers and in preparing Westchester residents for employment throughout the county. WJCS looks forward to working with him and developing an even sweeter partnership.”

Kenner joined the Greyston executive team as the vice president of Programs and Partnerships, responsible for directing Greyston’s Workforce Development and Community Wellness strategies and activities. Over the last two years, Greyston programs have delivered over $5 million in economic impact through job placements and expanded employer and service provider relationships.

He previously served as deputy commissioner at Westchester County’s Department of Social Services (DSS), the largest county department. Prior to his appointment at DSS in 2014, Joe spent 14 years in corporate America, working in insurance underwriting and risk management, capital markets, and sales strategy in both New York City and Westchester County.

“There is no doubt that the current environment is challenging for all organizations, but the opportunities are just as great, especially when it comes to Greyston. As we look to relaunch our brand and build on our incredible 38-year history of providing job opportunities to those facing significant barriers to employment, this is a prime time to speak to organizations about Open Hiring® and creating a more inclusive employment ecosystem,” said Kenner. “The best of the Greyston story has yet to be written, so I look forward to leading Greyston as we go to the next level. Let’s get to work!”
Kenner is a graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and also attended Oxford University (Exeter College), in Oxford, England. He holds an MBA (financial management) from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business.