Hector M. Rivera is a cultivated professional and a dynamic leader in the non-profit sector. Hector has more than 30+ years of experience in the field of Human Services, and provides a broad spectrum of expertise in the areas of; Youth Development, Workforce Development, Leadership Cultivation, Training/Facilitation, Project Management, and Information Management Systems. As an employee of Our Piece of the Pie® (OPP®) for over 23 years, Hector has held many titles during his tenure with the agency. Hector began his career at OPP as a Youth Development Specialist-YDS (case manager), but his drive, determination, and ambition quickly propelled him into leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer from 2011-2020, Interim CEO in 2020, and currently, as OPP’s President & CEO.

As President & CEO, Hector oversees all of OPP’s executive functions and works hand-in-hand with the organization’s executive team to ensure that the organization obtains and sustains the resources and capacity necessary to deliver quality services and, most importantly, positive results for young people. During his tenure with OPP, Hector has helped OPP become one of the nation’s leading non-profits in the areas of Youth Development, Workforce Development, Academics, and Post-Secondary transitioning.

“I have tremendous respect for Hector and can’t think of anyone better to lead Our Piece of the Pie, which is one of the most effective and important organizations working with young people in Hartford,” said Mayor Luke Bronin.  “Hector has a deep and personal commitment to OPP’s mission of engaging, supporting, educating, and mentoring young people who need that support, and I’m personally grateful for Hector’s work and for his partnership. When we established the Hartford Youth Service Corps, which provides paid jobs and intensive skill-building and support to hundreds of young Hartford residents, we asked OPP to lead that work in large part because we trusted Hector’s leadership – and it has been a success in large part because of his leadership. Congratulations to Hector, the Board, and to the entire team at OPP.”  Hector continually and consistently demonstrates his commitment, collaborative spirit, and timeliness in responding to the ever-changing conditions of the human services landscape. He often wears “many hats” to ensure OPP not only meets, but exceed organizational and contractual outcomes, and overcomes systemic challenges. For those of you who know him professionally, you know how relentless he can be when it comes to creating and providing opportunities for young people.

Despite his humble beginning of being raised in an impoverished and oftentimes violent neighborhood in Hartford’s North-end, Hector achieved great academic success, earning a bachelor’s degree from Springfield College and (2) Master’s Degrees in Management and Business Administration, both from Albertus Magnus College.

Hector was appointed to the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) Board of Directors in March 2013 and appointed to the Board of Directors for Camp Courant in April 2013.

Hector has spent his entire professional life as an advocate for young people. Both his personal and professional goals are built on helping others (particularly young adults) achieve their dreams and developing themselves.