Meet the Founders

The people who started it all — and why they couldn't wait any longer.

Civil Advocates of New York was born from the lived experiences of its founders. Each one saw a gap, felt the urgency, and decided to do something about it. Together, they built an organization that has grown into a citywide force for change.

Angela Rivera

Co-Founder & Executive Director

I grew up watching my neighbors fall through the cracks of a system that was supposed to help them. I knew someone had to build a bridge.

Angela Rivera has spent over two decades fighting for New York's most vulnerable residents. Raised in the South Bronx, she witnessed firsthand how youth without mentorship and seniors without advocates were left behind. After years working in community organizing and nonprofit leadership, she co-founded Civil Advocates of New York in 2009 with a simple belief: every New Yorker deserves a voice. Under her leadership, the organization has grown from a neighborhood initiative to a citywide advocacy force serving over 1,000 residents annually.

Background:Community organizer, nonprofit executive, South Bronx native

Marcus Johnson

Co-Founder & Director of Youth Programs

I was one of those kids who needed someone to show up for them. Now I get to be that person for the next generation.

Marcus Johnson grew up in East Harlem and credits a single mentor with changing the trajectory of his life. That experience drove him to dedicate his career to youth empowerment. Before co-founding Civil Advocates of New York, Marcus ran after-school programs across three boroughs and trained hundreds of volunteer mentors. He built the organization's youth programs from the ground up, creating a model that has since been recognized by the New York City Council as a best practice in youth advocacy.

Background:Youth mentor, program developer, East Harlem native

Dr. Sarah Chen

Co-Founder & Director of Neurodivergent Services

Neurodivergent New Yorkers are not broken. They are underserved. There is a profound difference, and it changes everything about how you approach advocacy.

Dr. Sarah Chen is a clinical psychologist and neurodivergent advocate who joined Angela and Marcus in 2009 after years of watching her clients struggle to access basic rights and accommodations. She brought clinical expertise and deep personal commitment to the founding team, establishing the organization's neurodivergent services division from scratch. Dr. Chen has testified before the New York City Council on neurodivergent rights and has helped shape city policy on inclusive education and workplace accommodations.

Background:Clinical psychologist, policy advocate, neurodivergent rights expert

Robert Williams

Co-Founder & Director of Elderly Services

Our elders built this city. The least we can do is make sure they can live in it with dignity.

Robert Williams spent 15 years as a social worker in senior care before co-founding Civil Advocates of New York. He saw too many older New Yorkers navigating complex healthcare and housing systems alone, without advocates or support. Robert built the organization's elderly services division with a focus on direct advocacy — showing up with seniors at appointments, hearings, and benefits offices. His work has helped hundreds of seniors access housing protections, healthcare benefits, and social connection programs across all five boroughs.

Background:Social worker, senior advocate, 15+ years in elder care

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