Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of The Legal Aid Society has been named to the inaugural list of Nonprofit Power Players list by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro.

The list highlights dedicated leaders championing causes from accessible education to affordable housing and everywhere in between. These leaders and their organizations work at the intersection of public policy, finance, administration, and progress to build a more equitable and engaged New York.

During Twyla’s tenure, Legal Aid’s attorneys and staff have worked tirelessly to defend New York City’s Right to Shelter and to protect incarcerated New Yorkers from the deplorable conditions on Rikers Island.

She was leading the organization as it obtained important victories including a settlement that will ensure dental coverage for millions of New Yorkers and legislation that will automatically seal certain conviction records, ending the perpetual punishment for many deserving New Yorkers.

Carter has worked relentlessly since joining the organization toward securing needed funding to significantly increase baseline salaries for all staff.

“There is an urgent need for increased funding for public defense and civil legal services in NYC. Public defenders and civil legal services offices provide vital and zealous representation for low-income people facing incarceration, eviction, deportation, and more,” she told the publication. “When our organizations are unfunded, it’s the people we serve — disproportionately people of color — who suffer the consequences. We have and will continue to advocate for fair funding to serve New Yorkers in need.”

Congratulations to Twyla; read the full list here.