Gary Ivory

Gary Ivory is the President and CEO of Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), Inc., a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Pennsylvania.12 He was appointed to this position in May 2023, becoming the first Black CEO of the organization.2

Background and Career

Gary Ivory has been with YAP for over 30 years, starting his journey with the organization in Trenton, NJ.1 Prior to joining YAP, he served as a chaplain and youth minister at New Jersey (formerly Trenton) State Prison.1

Born and raised in Texas, Ivory comes from a large family of 15 children. His personal experiences, including losing three of his 14 siblings to prison, have fueled his passion for serving vulnerable populations.12

Education and Achievements

• Graduate of Austin College
• Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary
• Awarded the Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellowship in 1996
• Completed a Fellowship at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders in 20061

Leadership at YAP

As President and CEO, Ivory leads YAP in its mission to provide community-based alternatives to incarceration, residential care, and neighborhood violence.1 Under his leadership, YAP has expanded its reach and impact:

• Grown from operating in 29 states to 34 states
• Launched new youth justice, behavioral health, and innovative violence prevention services
• Focused on changing policies at state and national levels to reduce reliance on incarceration and out-of-home placement12

Gary Ivory's leadership style emphasizes servant leadership, and he is committed to building on YAP's 48-year legacy of global impact in youth advocacy and social change.1