Grace C. Bonilla, Esq. was appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in February 2017 as Administrator of the Human Resources Administration (HRA). In this capacity, she is responsible for working alongside the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in leading the largest local social services agency in the country. HRA serves over 3 million New Yorkers through the administration of major public assistance programs and strives to combat poverty and income inequality in New York City.
Grace has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the nonprofit and public sectors. Prior to her current role, Grace served as the president and chief executive officer of The Committee for Hispanic Children & Families, Inc. (CHCF). Since 1982, CHCF has combined education and advocacy to expand opportunities for children and families and strengthen the voice of the Latino community and provides a number of services through Youth Development programs, an Early Care & Education Institute, and policy and advocacy initiatives.
From 2004-2014, Grace took on different leadership roles within HRA. She served as the deputy commissioner overseeing the Office of Community Affairs and Immigrant Services. In this capacity, she worked on issues regarding language access, immigrant eligibility, disability rights, and community engagement. Grace also served as assistant deputy commissioner with the Office of Constituent Services.
In 2009, she was director of legislation and policy at the Office of Child Support Enforcement and managed the first statewide project that assisted in establishing child support orders administratively and through mediation for low income communities.
Grace is a life-long New Yorker and a committed public servant who has dedicated her career to shape key policies that serve to alleviate equitable challenges in New York City. She currently lives in Queens with her husband and three sons.