News / January 2025

Homeboy Leadership Transition

Los Angeles (January 21, 2025) – I am writing to share with you an important announcement on the future of Homeboy Industries. As context, this week I’m celebrating my 12th year here at Homeboy. I still remember when Fr. Greg called me into his office and asked me to become the first CEO of Homeboy Industries. At the time, I didn’t know how to respond, nor did I appreciate the graces that would come to me. Regardless, I jumped at the chance to be in Fr. Greg’s orbit and to try to be of some use. 

Both Fr. Greg and I thought I would do this job for a short bit of time – but like all people who get a taste of the love and kinship at Homeboy, it’s something truly magical. So here I am 12 years later and confident that now is the time to hand over the reins to the next generation of Homeboy leaders.

During the last several years we have worked hard to develop internal management talent – it’s a best practice of great organizations. We’ve been fortunate to have generous donors who have allowed us to invest in organization-wide personnel development that is required of complex nonprofits like ours. We are stronger than ever and I am personally confident that the team is ready to lead Homeboy into the future.

When I first started at Homeboy, we were a much smaller organization with an $11 million budget and big dreams. Since that time, we have grown to nearly a $50 million organization with 12 thriving social enterprises, a full suite of re-entry programs tailored to meet the needs of our community, with even bigger ambitions for our future. Today we serve over 10,000 people walking through our doors each year, and it’s a team of talented, capable individuals who make it happen.

Over a year ago I met with Fr. Greg and our Board Chair Mercedes Martinez and asked them to start a formal process of selecting the next CEO of Homeboy Industries. I’ve written to you all many times about the unique nature of Homeboy and how the mission needs to live on in the capable hands of those who really have a deep sense of how transformation happens here. I’m happy to say, after a deliberate, thoughtful, values-driven process, Homeboy’s Board of Directors has decided that the next CEO should come from within.  

I am excited to share that the Board has unanimously voted to have Steve Delgado (currently Chief Operating Officer) and Shirley Torres (currently Chief Program Officer) lead Homeboy Industries as Co-CEOs. While some might consider this an unusual structure, internally we don’t. We know that both bring unique gifts and accomplishments and that the future of Homeboy will benefit from their combined energy and leadership.

Because of Fr. Greg, we are a movement, a way of going against conventional wisdom and deeply investing in the demonized and the forgotten of our society. In order to continue growing this critical movement, I can’t think of two better individuals to lead us forward. Fr. Greg and I agree that our mission will be very well served with Shirley and Steve at the helm. 

Over the next 90 days, we will be communicating more with you about Shirley and Steve. They have helped guide Homeboy to unprecedented growth with innovative ideas and expansion of our services. Both are highly skilled executives who understand our mission deeply and have made Homeboy what it is today. Attached are some additional details about these two phenomenal people.

Being part of Homeboy has been the privilege of my life. I have been moved by the mutual kinship that is there with our people. I have experienced these graces offered by Homeboy with an eye-wide wonder. We have a saying around Homeboy, that once part of the Homeboy family, you are always part of the family. This is true for our clients and for our staff – and supporters like you. To this end, Homeboy’s Board invited me to stay on as a senior advisor, where I will work on strategic projects and help mentor the next generation of leaders. I’m eternally grateful to be able to play this role and to stay connected.

Stay tuned for more information and an opportunity for us to celebrate Steve and Shirley as our new co-CEOs. This all will go into effect mid-February of 2025.

I’ve said many times that Homeboy is a mix of a promising future and a struggling present – a struggling present for the fact that so many people need our help, and our resources are limited – a promising future in that our notion of leaning in with love, kinship and investment for our community is being recognized as what the world needs now as well. We have an unbelievably talented team that knows how to deliver the mission. We have a set of strategic initiatives that will allow Homeboy to thrive well into the future. We have the leadership in place – Steve, Shirley, and our entire staff ready to move the organization forward. And of course, our founder and spiritual leader Fr. Greg has an unwavering commitment to Homeboy.

We are blessed with dedicated funders, volunteers and supporters.  And most importantly, our clients that come through our doors every day who fill us with joy and inspire us in our commitment to serve.  

Eternally grateful for your support. Thank you. 

Sincerely,
Thomas Vozzo