FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2017

CONTACT: pressoffice@doc.nyc.gov, (718) 546-0631

 

 

 

CORRECTION DEPT. OFFICIAL HONORED

AS ‘INFLUENTIAL BLACK WOMAN’

Dina Simon Accepts Award of Business Magazine

 

East Elmhurst – The First Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Correction, Dina Simon, will be honored with one of The Network Journal’s “25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards” at a gala reception in Manhattan on March 23.

 

Commissioner Simon will be among the honorees profiled in the Spring 2017 issue of The Network Journal, an award-winning business magazine for African-American professionals, and will be formally honored at the “19th Annual 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards” Luncheon at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. The event attracts business executives and decision makers from various industries.

 

“We are pleased and honored by this recognition of the accomplishments of our First Deputy Commissioner, who has contributed so much to our reforms,” stated DOC Commissioner Joseph Ponte.

 

“I am grateful for this honor, and in the spirit of Women’s History Month I accept this award with a hat tip to the hard work and talents of the many wonderful women at DOC,” said Commissioner Simon.

 

Commissioner Simon is on the front lines of transforming the Correction Department, which is undergoing comprehensive reform after years of neglect. She also stands out as an inspiring story. A native of Haiti who immigrated to America as a child, she is one of New York City’s leading African-American executives and is quickly rising in the upper echelons of New York City government. She is the first woman to occupy her position.

 

A nationally recognized human-resources expert, Commissioner Simon is helping transform the Correction Department by:

• changing the organizational culture to emphasize safety,
• improving civilian and uniform leadership diversity,
• fielding a DOC Recruitment Unit,
• pursuing unprecedented community outreach,
• re-branding DOC as not just a job but a meaningful career, promoting broader awareness of the rewarding career opportunities at the department, and
• highlighting the potential for professional growth at DOC.

 

Commissioner Simon’s career highlights:

• promoted to First Deputy Commissioner on January 5, 2016.
• named Deputy Commissioner of DOC Human Resources in October 2014.
• Director of Human Resources for the Office of the New York City Comptroller from 2007 to 2014.

 

Ms. Simon holds a Master of Public Administration from Long Island University, C.W. Post and a Bachelor of Science from State University of New York College at Brockport. She also earned her Professional in Human Resources certification from the Society of Human Resource Management and garnered professional certifications from Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  She lives in New York City with her loving husband and daughter.

 

About the New York City Department of Correction

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) provides for the care, custody, and control of persons accused of crimes or convicted and sentenced to one year or less of jail time. The Department manages 12 inmate facilities, 9 of which are located on Rikers Island.  In addition, the Department operates two hospital Prison Wards (Bellevue and Elmhurst hospitals) and court holding facilities in each borough. During Fiscal Year 2016, the Department handled over 63,000 admissions and managed an average daily inmate population of approximately 9,790 individuals.

About the 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards

Launched in March 1999, The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards honors women whose professional achievements have significantly impacted an industry or profession, and who also have made an important contribution to her community. A “TNJ25” honoree typically is a business owner, or a partner, president, CEO, board chair, or other senior-management executive with significant decision-making authority in the corporate, nonprofit (including academia and medicine), or government sector.

 

About The Network Journal

Founded in 1993, The Network Journal (TNJ) is an award-winning magazine published quarterly. It provides news and commentaries on issues that affect the growth of business and the advancement of professionals in the workplace for an audience of predominantly African-American professionals, corporate executives and small-business owners. Engaging more than 98,325 readers per issue, TNJ is distributed nationwide, with a focus on the New York tri-state area, while its sister daily publication at tnj.com reaches a global audience.