President and CEO

Under Dr. Cabrera's direction, the Food Bank's mission has expanded beyond food to include ongoing support and resources that enable food programs to build capacity and connect their communities with a continuum of benefits and services. As the city’s hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — emergency food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of approximately 1,000 food assistance programs citywide, the Food Bank helps provide 300,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank’s hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence.

Dr. Cabrera's distinguished career in nonprofit management started at Greater Hartford Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center, where she was Vice President, and continued at Casa Colina Career Development Center in California where, as Chief Operating Officer, she directed vocational rehabilitation programs in several cities. Prior to embarking on her nonprofit career, Dr. Cabrera gained corporate experience at Union Carbide of New York and Connecticut and Goya Foods of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Cabrera plays a prominent role in other nonprofit organizations, including as a founding board member and former Chair of the Food Bank Association of New York State; as a board member of Citizens Union and the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC), the New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE) and ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership and as a member of local and national committees, including the HRA Commissioner's Citizens Advisory Committee. Dr. Cabrera also serves as an adjunct/assistant professor at Baruch College (CUNY) School of Public Affairs.

Dr. Cabrera has received a number of awards for her work in public service. Most recently she was given a Spirit of ABNY Award by the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), presented with a Humanitarian Award at Boricua College's 2009 graduation, and honored at the 2008 Power Women Gala presented by New York Moves, and she was the recipient of the Latina Excellence in Leadership Award presented by 100 Hispanic Women, Inc. Dr. Cabrera has received the Mujeres Destacadas (Oustanding Women) 2006 Award from El Diario/La Prensa, an Outstanding Association Executive Award from NYSAE, a President's Medal for Distinguished Service from the City College of New York, a Star Award from the New York Women's Agenda, a Latina Excellence Award from Hispanic magazine, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Puerto Rican Coalition, a Women of Color in the Nonprofit Community Award from the School of Public Affairs Alumni Association at Baruch College and a commendation award from the Comptroller of New York City. She has also received notable awards from the Hunts Point Local Development Corporation, the Hunger Action Network of New York State and the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.

Dr. Cabrera received a Ph.D. from Columbia University, where she majored in social policy and administration. She has a Master of Science in social policy from Columbia University, a Master of Science in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. She is also a Certified Association Executive.