Dr. Lena L. Green currently serves as the executive director of the HOPE Center, a community based mental health clinic in Harlem, NYC connected to the historic First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC). She is an associate professor and project manager in Population Health Science & Policy at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital and a clinical professor at both NYU and Columbia University schools of social work. In her more than 20 plus years of direct practice and management experience as a leader, clinician, professor and administrator, Dr. Green has had a tremendous impact on countless New Yorkers.

Her work encompasses the integration of faith-based mental health services, reducing mental health treatment disparities in communities of color, clinical interventions with various populations across the lifespan including interdisciplinary approaches for new and expectant parents. She is skilled in various areas of mental health, program planning and development, clinical supervision and building strategic partnerships. Her research focuses on fatherhood, mental health in communities of color and trauma informed practices.

Dr. Green is the recipient of numerous awards including the National Association of Health Services Executives NY Regional Chapter’s Community Service Award in November, 2024, the New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award in May 2024, the Jospeh R. Biden Presidential Service and Lifetime Achievement Award in September 2023, and the NYC Community Works Heroes of the Pandemic Award in April 2023. She was named The Mental Health Power 50 NY City & State in 2021, and the National Association of Social Workers, (NASW-NYC) Social Work I.M.P.A.C.T. Award in 2019. The award, which is the chapter’s highest honor, is presented to a social worker who “exemplifies the commitment to social justice, equity, empowerment, and civil rights, through their work, research, advocacy, practice, embodiment of the social work profession, and their dedication to the communities and individuals they serve.” Dr. Green has been featured in several news outlets including Pix11 News focused on mental health in the Black community, and CBS news focused on minority mental health.

Dr. Green holds both a doctorate and master’s degree in social work from NYU, a BA in psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, post-master’s certificates in Advance Clinical Practice from Hunter College, and the Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Addicted Clients from NYU. Dr. Green serves on several boards across the country including the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Services Committee, a nationally appointed position.