How do we build trust, unite divided communities, and drive meaningful change?
In this presentation, the Do Gooders—formerly known as UnityWorks—will discuss their far-reaching bridge-building work as a collaborative of seasoned leaders whose combined experience spans more than 100 years across government, faith, nonprofit leadership, and organizational management. Pastor Gilford Monrose, Eileen Reilly, Mohammed Razvi, and Rabbi Bob Kaplan bring diverse perspectives, deep expertise, and decades of hands-on experience in community leadership, interfaith engagement, public service, and organizational strategy.
Drawing on more than two decades of collaborative work, the presenters will share the stories, strategies, and lessons behind their efforts to build bridges, respond to crises, foster cross-sector partnerships, and create resilient, values-driven solutions.
The following timely and compelling topics will be discussed:
- How leaders and organizations can navigate complexity and uncertainty
- The power of cross-sector and interfaith collaboration to advance meaningful change
- Leadership lessons drawn from decades of community-building and bridge-building
- Strategies for aligning mission, values, and organizational action
- Practical approaches to building resilience and sustaining long-term community relationships
Mohammad Razvi is the Founder and CEO of the Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) in Brooklyn, New York. A pioneering leader in Muslim and South Asian community advocacy since the aftermath of 9/11, Razvi has established a crucial connection between Muslim-American communities and government agencies throughout New York City. Under his leadership, COPO has raised over $60 million and serves over 300,000 individuals annually, supported by 500 staff and volunteers. The organization offers vital services including immigration assistance, healthcare, mental health counseling, and women's empowerment programs. Razvi is also recognized for launching NYC’s first Halal Muslim Senior Center and co-founding citywide Iftar dinners. His impactful work has garnered international recognition, reflecting his belief in the power of community.
Rabbi Bob Kaplan is Senior Advisor at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York founding Executive Director of its Center for A Shared Society, which advances dignity, cultural humility, leadership in diversity, conflict prevention, and coalition-building across New York City. He serves as a Commissioner on the NYC Commission on Human Rights, co-chairs the Governor’s Hate and Bias Task Force, and participates on Bronx Community Board 8, the Mayor’s PATH Task Force, and the DOE Interfaith Advisory Committee. A clergy liaison to the NYPD Chief and chaplain to the MTA Police, Kaplan sits on boards including YouthBridge-NY, the Interfaith Center of New York, NYU Langone Family Health Centers, and Manhattan College’s Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center. He has incubated numerous coalitions and fellowships locally and internationally and is a sought-after consultant on diversity, leadership, and community building.
Eileen Reilly is a strategic advisor specializing in sustainable, high‑impact programs across human services, economic development, and immigrant services. As Vice President at CAMBA, she led workforce development, small business services, and refugee resettlement serving over 50,000 people, including 12,000 refugees. She created initiatives such as the Immigrant Bridge Program and Cooper Union Retraining for Immigrant Engineers and forged workforce partnerships with NYC agencies. Her work spans organizational development, international capacity‑building, mutual‑aid training, and pioneering programs for HIV+ refugees. She is a co‑founder of We Are All Brooklyn and the We Are All New York Fellowship, a practicing Buddhist and active member of SGI-USA, a lay Buddhist organization committed to dialogue and nonviolence.
Pastor Gil Monrose (Dr. Gilford T. Monrose) served as Executive Director of the NYC Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, he is lead pastor of Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day in Brooklyn and founding president of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, “The God Squad.” He is the founder of Clergy for Safe Cities, a national anti violence organization. A prominent community and civic leader, Pastor Monrose champions youth mentorship, anti‑gun violence programs, and collaborative relationships among law enforcement, communities, and government. Former faith director for the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office under Eric Adams, he holds honors including graduations from the FBI and NYPD Citizen Academies nationally.
Questions? Email mvolpe@jjay.cuny.edu
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