Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Rosita Marinez of New York

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rosita Marinez. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Rosita, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
“My proudest ‘invisible build’ is my son, a Seton Hall–trained mechanical engineer. He’s my greatest joy and quietest flex, proof that love, guidance, and grit can engineer a beautiful life.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Rosita Marinez is an executive social work leader with extensive experience in housing, mental health, and workforce development. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Supported Housing at the Institute for Community Living (ICL), where she provides strategic oversight for Treatment Apartment Programs, Permanent Supportive Housing, Adult Home Class Action initiatives, and the innovative Health Connect program.

Throughout her career, Rosita has dedicated herself to developing equitable housing systems and improving access to care for individuals with serious mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and co-occurring disorders. Her leadership has influenced several innovative initiatives, including the New York State AIDS Institute’s Positive Housing for ALL, Robin Hood/SEEDCO’s Single Stop Initiative: Earn Benefits, and the first Housing Resource Center created using a clubhouse model at Fountain House.
Rosita is pursuing her Doctorate in Business Administration, focusing on Organizational Leadership. She holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University and a Master of Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work, as well as several postgraduate credentials and professional licenses. Rosita also holds certifications in executive leadership, property management, and housing compliance, including a designation as a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) professional.

Rosita, a dedicated mentor and advocate, serves on the boards of Housing Solutions of New York and Siembra Today, and on the steering committee for the social work equity campaign. She champions leadership development and equitable, culturally responsive care systems.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My parents have shaped me most. They taught me that dignity lives in hard work, showing up for people, and finishing what you start. Watching them stretch every dollar and still make room for generosity formed my work ethic—and my belief that leadership means service, not spotlight. When I mentor staff, advocate for housing stability, or make tough calls, I hear their voices reminding me to be brave, prepared, and kind. That foundation anchors everything I do.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I almost gave up during the pandemic. I was losing staff to burnout, tenants were in crisis, and every day felt like triage. I questioned whether I could keep asking teams to show up when I was running on fumes myself. What pulled me back were purpose and people: a tenant who said, “You didn’t leave us.” This gave me the strength to continue the work for the tenants and keep the staff morale with positivity,

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say I’m driven by dignity and justice. I care about creating spaces where people feel safe to tell the truth, building systems that actually work for tenants and staff, and keeping my word—even when no one is watching. Mentorship matters to me, especially opening doors for Black and Latinx emerging leaders. They’d also say I balance rigor with heart: I love dashboards and clean handoffs, but I measure success by who’s better off because we showed up. And beneath it all is family—being a present mom and honoring my parents’ example anchors how I lead.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I turned care into structure and structure into justice. That I didn’t chase credit; I chased outcomes that lasted—keys in doors, benefits restored, teams that stayed, leaders who felt seen. I want the story to include mentorship: that I opened pathways for Black and Latinx emerging leaders and sponsored them into rooms that once felt closed. And I hope they remember me as a devoted mom and daughter, whose family values—work hard, tell the truth, lift others—shone through in every decision. If my legacy is steadier lives and a wider table, that’s enough.

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Rosita Marinez

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