Our mission is to unlock the power of human potential through inclusive employment, one person at a time.
It started in 1982 when our founder, Zen Buddhist Bernie Glassman, built Greyston Bakery to employ individuals who faced barriers to meaningful employment. The hiring process was simple, accept anyone with a will to work, a process we now call Open Hiring®. That means no interviews, no background checks, and no resumes are required to get a job. Recognizing that employment is just the first step toward self-sufficiency, Greyston quickly expanded into several social and community services areas.
Our vision
In 2020, we announced our 10-year vision to provide employment opportunities to at least 40,000 of the ten million Americans facing barriers to employment. We’re scaling our mission and leading the effort to develop effective solutions that address the underlying causes of employment challenges. Through our new Greyston Employment Opportunity Center (GEOC), job seekers can access training and education programs, youth services, and transitional employment services. The GEOC also offers business services for employers interested in replicating inclusive hiring or who quickly need new skilled workers.
THE FOLLOWING CORE VALUES ARE INGRAINED IN OUR CULTURAL DNA
RESPECT
We value and learn from what makes each of us different.
COMPASSION
We equip each person with the tools to be successful, understanding they have their own story.
NON-JUDGEMENT
We understand that all members of a community are interconnected and have a unique role to play and contribution to make, regardless of their past.
COLLABORATION
We seize opportunities to develop solutions and innovate for the greater good of our organization, employees, and those we serve.
EMPOWERMENT
We create the conditions for each person to become self-sufficient, honoring their freedom of choice.
TRANSFORMATION
We are committed to fostering meaningful growth in our communities and the world at large.
Explore our interesting history below!
Greyston Bakery was founded by Bernie Glassman.
1987
Partnered with Ben & Jerry’s and accidently created Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream.
1992
Greyston Foundation was created to address barriers to employment.
2004
Greyston Bakery expands into a 21,000 sf LEED® certified bakery in the Southwest Yonkers community.
2008
Greyston Bakery officially registered as B-Corp.
2008
Launched Workforce Development programs serving those deemed unemployable or hard-to-employ.
2013
Greyston Bakery rated Best for the World B-Corp, a designation given to the top B Corps worldwide.
2016
In Washington D.C., Greyston stands among 19 companies from across the US economy as founding pledge takers of the Fair Chance Business Pledge. This moment represented a call-to-action for all private sector members to improve their communities by eliminating barriers for those with a criminal record creating a pathway for a second chance.
2020
Greyston announces new mission and 10-year vision, doubling down on inclusive hiring and eliminating barriers to employment via the Greyston Employment Opportunity Center.
2021
Greyston Bakery featured in the “Community Health and Economic Prosperity: Engaging Businesses as Stewards and Stakeholders” report issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the Surgeon General. Read it here.
2021
Greyston deemed Best for the World B-Corp for 8th consecutive year.
IMPACT
Greyston is working hard to live up to the true meaning of our mission and core values to drive societal change in our community. Quantifying our impact is critical as it documents our foremost goal of helping people find success in life through meaningful employment.
Notable achievements over the course of 2020 include:
Our Team
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Joseph D. Kenner
President and CEO
Dr. Penny Jennings
Vice President, Strategic Programs & Partnerships
Kevin McGahren
General Manager
Julie Tedford
Vice President, Finance and Operations
Join Our Team
All our bakers come to us through Open Hiring® and many advance into other positions in our organization. If you’re interested in joining our bakery team, put your name on the waitlist today!
Specialized Bakery and Foundation Jobs
If you are interested in a specialized position at the Greyston Bakery or the Greyston Foundation, please review the employment opportunities listed below.
FOUNDATION
DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Greyston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse and inclusive workforce. In all matters affecting employees and applicants for employment, Greyston is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or veteran status. We believe a diverse workforce enables us to be successful and we encourage all to apply.
If there is anything we can do to accommodate you to participate fully in the recruitment or interview process, please let us know.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws, click on the links below for further information:
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
- Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)