Tori Lyon
Tori Lyon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Naperville, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Nonprofit executive, housing advocate |
| Organization | Jericho Project |
| Known for | Supportive housing and homelessness services |
| Title | Chief Executive Officer |
| Board member of | Supportive Housing Network of New York National Coalition for Homeless Veterans |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | SmartCEO Brava Award (2016) National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Meritorious Service Award (2021) |
| Website | jerichoproject |
Tori Lyon is an American nonprofit executive and housing advocate who serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Jericho Project, a New York City-based nonprofit organization focused on supportive housing, homelessness prevention, employment services, and behavioral health support.[1]
Lyon joined Jericho Project in 1996 as Director of Development and later served as Associate Executive Director and Executive Director before becoming the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer in 2016. Under her leadership, Jericho Project expanded its supportive housing portfolio, launched its Veterans Initiative, and significantly increased the number of individuals and families served across New York City.[1]
Lyon has worked in the supportive housing and homelessness services field for more than 30 years, with experience in strategic planning, fundraising, housing and program development, and executive management.[2]
Early life and education
Lyon grew up in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. From an early age, she developed an interest in service and social issues, including volunteer work at a local nursing home. Her interest in homelessness, inequality, and social justice developed more fully during college.
Lyon earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she concentrated in Multinational Management. While at Wharton, she participated in a work-study program with The World Game, a nonprofit founded by Buckminster Fuller, where she conducted research related to global inequality and public health.[3] Lyon has credited the experience with helping shape her interest in practical, people-centered solutions to complex social issues.
Career
After graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Lyon began her career in executive search with Heidrick & Struggles. She moved to New York City in 1991 and later worked as a grant writer for a nonprofit consulting firm.
Before joining Jericho Project, Lyon served as Grants Manager at AIDS Resource Center, now known as Bailey House, a supportive housing organization serving people living with HIV/AIDS.[3]
In 1996, Lyon joined Jericho Project as Director of Development. She was promoted to Associate Executive Director in 1999 and became Executive Director in 2005. In 2016, she was named the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer.[4]
At Jericho Project, Lyon has overseen the development of more than 700 units of supportive housing and helped expand the organization’s services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness throughout New York City. Since 2010, Jericho Project has more than quadrupled the number of people it serves.
One of Lyon’s early career milestones at Jericho Project was the development of the Edith McGuire Residence, the organization’s first newly constructed supportive housing project, which she helped lead from planning through completion. She has identified the project as a defining moment in her career because it connected housing development with long-term services for people experiencing homelessness.
Lyon also conceived and led the creation of Jericho Project’s Veterans Initiative after recognizing the growing need for housing and services among veterans experiencing homelessness. The initiative expanded Jericho Project’s work through permanent supportive housing, employment programs, and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, helping establish Jericho Project as one of New York City’s leading providers of housing and supportive services for veterans.
Beyond her work at Jericho Project, Lyon has served on the Board of Directors of the Supportive Housing Network of New York and spent nine years on the Board of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. She was appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio to “serve on the Executive Committee for the New York City Coalition on the Continuum of Care Veterans Task Force to end veteran homelessness in New York” and “guide the city’s plan to build 15,000 units of supportive housing.”[5]
The collaborative efforts of that initiative contributed to a significant reduction in veteran homelessness in New York City.
Personal life
Lyon resides in Rockaway Beach, Queens, with her husband. They have two college-age children and two cats.
Awards and recognition
In 2016, Lyon received a SmartCEO Brava Award, which recognized her as one of New York’s top female CEOs.[5] The Brava Awards honored women business leaders for leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, mentorship, and community impact.
In 2021, Lyon received the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Meritorious Service Award in recognition of her leadership and personal commitment to ending veteran homelessness in the United States.[6]
In 2021, Lyon was recognized by the Community Service Society of New York for 25 years of distinguished service, leadership, and compassion.[7]
Lyon was also selected by photographer Annie Leibovitz to be featured in a national TriNet advertising campaign highlighting nonprofit leadership.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Jericho Project | Housing and Life-Changing Services". Jericho Project. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ Lyon, Tori (6 April 2026). "Tori Lyon". BroadBand Nation. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lyon, Tori (29 January 2013). "Four Steps to Rising out of Homelessness". Wharton Magazine. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "2015 NCHV Annual Conference Program" (PDF). National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Jericho Project CEO Tori Lyon to Receive Brava Award by SmartCEO". Cision PRWeb. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ JerichoProject1983 (30 June 2021). "Meritorious Service Award". Instagram. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "Jericho Project Hosts Virtual Gala Celebrating CEO Tori Lyon's 25 Years of Leadership". Cision PRWeb. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "World-Renowned Photographer Annie Leibovitz Joins TriNet PeopleForce Roster of Distinguished Speakers". PR Newswire. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2026.