Thomas is a Certified Coach trained within the Erickson International Coaching discipline. Using this powerful client-centered approach to coaching, coupled with his over 30 years of experience in empowering individuals and groups, Thomas creates a unique experience that unlocks your abilities to reach your fullest potential.
Thomas served within the non-profit arena for over 30 years – first as a direct-service staffer working with at-risk youth until culminating as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) the nation’s oldest and largest LGBTQ youth service agency and home of the Harvey Milk High School. When he arrived at HMI in 2003, Thomas’ first task was to create the Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP) – a blueprint that expanded the then “Harvey Milk School” program into a fully functioning, independent Department of Education transfer high school for at-risk youth.
Thomas led the expansion of HMI into HMI: New Jersey, as well as the establishment of HMI’s Center for LGBTQ Youth Advocacy and Capacity Building, which works to educate and inform decision and policy makers throughout the country and across the world with regard to issues confronting LGBTQ youth. He also pioneered “HMI Goes Citywide for LGBTQ Youth,” a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to reach LGBTQ youth in all five boroughs of New York City in their own communities.
Prior to joining HMI, Thomas served as Vice President of the Council for Unity, a national violence prevention program working with gang-involved youth. During his tenure, Thomas was able to expand the program across the nation from New York City to 11 cities in 9 states.
Thomas has appeared and been quoted on a variety of media outlets including CNN, Dateline NBC, The Huffington Post and The New York Times and many others.
Honors, Citations and Public Service:
- Thomas serves on the Board of Directors of the New York State Human Services Council (HSC) as Chair of its Nominating and Governance Committee,
- Advisory Board Member on the CUNY LGBT Advisory Council, New York City Police Commissioner’s LGBT Liaison Panel,
- New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio’s Nonprofit Resiliency Committee,
- Past appointee to Governor Cuomo’s LGBT Memorial Commission.
- Named by City & State as one of the top 100 LGBTQ Leaders in New York State (and in 2017 designated as one of the Top 10 New York City LGBTQ Leaders) annually from 2017 – 2020.
- Recipient of the 2019 Verizon Media & Turning Points for Children Exemplary Leadership and Dedicated Service Award,
- Recipient of the “Trailblazer Award” from the Community Resource Exchange (CRE) as a top leader over the last four decades,
- Recipient of the Lester Z. Lieberman Legacy Award for Humanism from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey for creating the organization now known as the Hetrick-Martin Institute: New Jersey.
- Appointed to Mayor De Blasio’s Education Sector Advisory Task Force on reopening schools in New York City post the COVID19 Pandemic.
Thomas, a Brooklyn native, holds a BFA in Dance from the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College, an Executive Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Hofstra University.
