James Winans

President & CEO
The Bowery Mission

James Winans learned about the realities of homelessness and the promise of life transformation through a volunteer internship at The Bowery Mission that forever changed the course of his life.

As President & CEO, James oversees the Mission’s expansive work across New York and Pennsylvania, leading a team of more than 160 staff members — and an army of volunteers — to help transform the lives of men, women, children and families experiencing homelessness and poverty.

James was promoted to CEO in 2020 after interim leadership during The Bowery Mission’s COVID pandemic response, as a team of essential workers kept the Mission open every single day to serve New Yorkers without a home. As Chief Development Officer for 15 years, James built and led teams to raise more than $120 million in private funds, enabling the Mission to expand its work and join forces with three other century-old organizations.

James was previously Education Director at Family Promise and has served as a consultant, board member or volunteer leader with several other nonprofits.

A native of Maryland and a graduate of Drew University, James and his family reside in Elmhurst, Queens.