Rachel Bender, LMHC, NCC

Executive Director

Rachel Bender has served as our Executive Director since 2025, having previously served as Chief Program Officer and Deputy Chief Program Officer. Rachel first joined the Neighborhood House in 2015 as a Supportive Housing Social Work Coordinator and subsequently served as Director of Casa Mutua, Director of the Center @ Lenox Hill Neighborhood House and later Senior Program Director, Older Adult Services. Prior to joining the Neighborhood House, Rachel worked in Transitional Housing with homeless female veterans at Zion House. Rachel has a BA from the University of Rochester and received her MA in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University.

Photo: Philip Mauro