Yvonne Stennett, Executive Director of Community League of the Heights (CLOTH), has been a driving force in community development across Upper Manhattan for over 40 years. Under her leadership, CLOTH has grown into a multi-service organization supporting more than 100,000 residents annually in housing, employment, education, and health initiatives. She has led the development of over 3,200 housing units, including supportive housing for homeless individuals and foster youth, and co-led the Inwood Library project (The Eliza), a landmark development integrating public resources with housing.

Beyond housing, Stennett has played a key role in expanding access to education and health services. She founded the Community Health Academy of the Heights, a pioneering 6-12 public school, and has grown CLOTH’s food pantry to serve over 70,000 people annually. Through her leadership, CLOTH has secured major funding, including a $1 million grant from MacKenzie Scott, to expand programs that strengthen neighborhoods and improve quality of life. Her contributions have earned numerous honors, including the NYC Public Library’s Brooke Russell Astor Award and the NY State Senate’s Woman of Distinction honor. She will be recognized at the 2025 LISC NY Big Apple Gala for her lifelong commitment to community development and leadership.

Stennett’s leadership extends beyond CLOTH, serving on advisory boards for New York Presbyterian Hospital, Enterprise Community Partners, and the Empire State New Market Tax Credit Corporation. She has played a significant role in urban policy and economic development, co-chairing the Land Use and Zoning Committee for Manhattan’s Community Board 9. Holding a B.A. from Lincoln University, she has completed executive leadership programs at Columbia Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. Her expertise in housing, education, and community revitalization has shaped policies that continue to enhance opportunities for neighborhoods across New York City.