In the bustling heart of New York City, Nivard Edmond works as the senior director of programs at the Police Athletic League (PAL), where she is dedicated to helping underserved youth. She believes her faith and upbringing have instilled in her the importance of giving back to the community, a principle she lives by every day.
Edmond’s path to her current role at PAL has been a steady climb since she joined the organization in 2010 as an office manager. Over the years, she has held various positions, including program manager, center director, and field director, before assuming her current role in 2025. Her experience has provided her with a profound understanding of how to create community-based programs and support the growth of young people. She is an expert in request for proposals (RFP), overseeing youth programs across five boroughs and partnering with the Department of Education on initiatives such as Saturday Night Live programs in schools.
A Passion for Community
For Edmond, her work is more than just a job; it is a passion. She is driven by a deep commitment to community and giving back, dedicated to helping underrepresented individuals realize their true potential and access the help they need.
As Edmond puts it, “Giving back to the community is very important to me. My goal is for people who are underrepresented to see themselves and to know they have something valuable to contribute, no matter what it is. I also believe success doesn’t happen alone — it’s the strength of the community that helps individuals thrive, in whatever way success looks for them.”
Faith as the Foundation of Leadership
Edmond has made her personal faith the foundation of her life and leadership. “My faith is what makes me complete,” she shares, emphasizing that prayer and meditation are important parts of her daily routine. Her spiritual foundation, along with the communal values she learned growing up, has long shaped how she feels and leads. “If you have something (a skill, talent, or an item), you should share it with someone who doesn’t — whether or not it ever comes back to you.”
One experience in particular stands out for Edmond, as it is both a highlight in her career and a reminder of why her work is so important. She remembers helping a non-English speaking student learn English in just six months by connecting with his interest in technology and law enforcement. The student later graduated from the NYPD Explorers program. Edmond’s goal is to ensure that more children have access to services and are not overlooked. This remains a driving force in her ongoing efforts to secure additional funding to expand programs throughout New York City.
A Commitment to Helping Others
Looking ahead, Edmond has a dream of influencing education policy so that she might further expand her impact on young lives. She is the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, and in 2025, City and State New York recognized her contributions by naming her one of the 100 Black trailblazers.
Beyond her demanding professional life, Edmond enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, doing pottery, writing, and continuing her volunteer work in the community and at her church. Utilizing her tireless dedication, unwavering faith, and determination to empower the next generation, Edmond continues to be a source of hope and a force for positive change in the communities she serves.
