LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Alex Stokes is a Director at HR&A Advisors, Inc., a real estate, economic development and public policy consulting firm headquartered in New York City. At HR&A, Alex has crafted strategies to guide the usage of public incentives and financing tools, the provision of affordable housing and open space, and the redevelopment of urban waterfronts and cultural districts around the country. Alex also serves as an in-house advisor for HR&A’s real estate practice and oversees the firm’s financial modeling training program. Since 2015, Alex has co-taught a seminar on redevelopment feasibility at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design. Alex is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Paris- Dauphine. Through Coro LNY, Alex hopes to explore the strategies and partnerships required to support the equitable revitalization of New York City’s neighborhoods and improve the quality of life of all New Yorkers.
Alice Shay is a city planner and urban designer with the Bloomberg Associates Urban Planning practice. She develops strategic planning and urban design projects that address waterfront infrastructure, public space, neighborhood development, and the implementation of land use tools. Prior to Bloomberg Associates, Alice worked with WXY Architecture and Urban Design, architecture and planning firm focused on the public realm. Alice consulted for the UN-HABITAT City Development Strategies program in Indonesia with the non-profit organization, Solo Kota Kita (SKK). Alice co-authored the Firm Foundation Social Design Field Guide, a guidebook on participatory design. Alice received a B.A. from Brown University and a
M.C.P. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a fellow of
the Urban Design Forum. Alice is joining Coro LNY to develop innovative approaches to engage the relationship between equitable development and the design of the public realm.
Allegra Blackburn-Dwyer is Director of Strategic Initiatives at the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, where she manages agency- wide strategic planning and critical new initiatives that support a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable city. Allegra has wide-ranging experience in program design, management, and evaluation, as well as communications, fundraising, and partnership development. Before joining NYC Parks, Allegra held several positions at the Mayor’s Office and was Chief of Staff for the Center for Economic Opportunity. In these roles, she developed a vision for New York City’s anti-poverty agenda, launched new programs, established learning networks, and built public-private partnerships - raising over $130 million to complement city-led initiatives. Allegra received a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and an M.P.A. from New York University. Allegra has joined Coro LNY to strengthen her capacity to effect change and improve services for all New Yorkers.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 1
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Amanda Rothman Papir is the Deputy Director of the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), a 45 year-old non-profit civic association dedicated to the constant growth and renewal of New York City's people, businesses and communities. As Deputy Director, Amanda is responsible for developing and executing ABNY's strategic direction, priorities, and agenda along with the Executive Director, overseeing ABNY's Young Professionals Network, and working with 300 member organizations on issue specific advocacy campaigns and policy proposals. Before ABNY, Amanda worked as the Director of Development for JWM Productions, an independent production company, where she honed her communications and media skills. Amanda considers herself to be a community builder, advocate for civic engagement, and a lifelong learner. She joined Coro LNY to deepen her understanding and gain new insight into current and complex policy issues facing NYC. Amanda graduated from Barnard College with a degree in English and Film Studies.
April Gariepy is currently leading District-Charter Partnerships, one of Mayor de Blasio's Equity & Excellence initiatives, for the NYC Department of Education (NYC DOE). Through this work, she supports the creation of meaningful opportunities for district and charter school collaboration for sustained progress and the overall advancement of all students in New York City through school-to-school, district-wide, and system-wide programming. Previously, April focused on improving human capital systems through her work with charter school network Achievement First, TNTP’s Performance Management group, and the NYC DOE’s Division of Human Resources and Talent. April is a National Urban Fellow with a M.P.A from Baruch’s School of Public Affairs and a B.A. in Communication Studies from Bridgewater State College. April resides in Brooklyn, NY where her daughter is in 3rd grade at P.S. 11, and April serves on the Parent-Teacher Association’s Executive Board.
April Schneider, PE, LEED AP ND is a Senior Engineer at LEVEL Agency for Infrastructure, a for-profit, mission-driven business that provides sustainable infrastructure solutions for cities around the world. At LEVEL, April focuses on integrating ideas of equality, justice, and sustainability within the engineering space to develop design solutions that have wide-reaching social impact. She leads projects for water-related infrastructure, working for clients across the public and private sectors. April holds a M.U.P. from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a Certificate in Technical Communication from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. April is passionate about cities and the infrastructure systems that underpin their livability, and as an avid
traveler, brings a global curiosity and international perspective to all her projects. She joined Coro LNY to expand her breadth of knowledge about civic issues in New York City and develop the leadership skills that will inspire the next generation of women engineers.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 2
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Barika Williams is the Deputy Director at the Association for Neighborhood Housing Development (ANHD). She serves on the board of the Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation and of CommonWise, a Bronx economic democracy organization. Throughout her career, she has worked to promote and ensure equity and opportunity in all neighborhoods, especially for low-income communities and communities of color. Previously, Barika worked at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. where she published on a number of topics including affordable housing, healthy neighborhoods, urban mobility, neighborhood schools, tenant rights, disaster recovery, and homelessness. She served as Project Manager for a leading DC real estate firm and on a community-based comprehensive education reform initiative. Barika holds a master’s from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning and a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She joined Coro LNY to develop new relationships and skills in service of NYC’s diverse communities.
Ben Kleinbaum is Senior Vice President at Capalino+Company, the city’s largest government relations firm. Since joining the Capalino+Company in 2011, Ben has provided strategic advice for clients on issues related to public policy, land use, and economic development, leading to long-term sustainable successes. He has represented national trade associations, premier private schools, major developers, and some of New York's largest not-for-profit institutions. Previously, he worked on several political campaigns across New York where he focused on organizing, data management, and targeting. Ben is a graduate of Bard College and earned a M.S. in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School. Ben is eager to attend Coro LNY so he can continue to grow as an advocate for positive change in New York City.
Bethany Basile is the Director of Foundation Relations at Roundabout Theatre Company, the nation’s largest not-for-profit theater. She strategically builds philanthropic engagement in the intuition’s mainstage, living artists, education, archives, and access programs. Most prominently, she is raising funds for the Arts sector’s first technical theater workforce development initiative, for which she is collaborating with JobsFirstNYC, IATSE, The Door, and leading not-for-profit theaters across the city. Prior to joining Roundabout, she worked on landmark initiatives at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), including securing a three-year funding contract for 1.2 miles of free public Wi-Fi in downtown Brooklyn and collaborative exchanges with three cities in upstate New York as an expansion of the
community’s celebrated DanceAfrica Festival. She is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She joins Coro LNY to learn how to leverage valuable artistic practices in improving programs serving New York.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 3
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Bonnie McGuire is the Deputy Director of the NYC Parks’ Urban Park Rangers, the city’s premier environmental educators. Bonnie manages all fee-based programming for the Rangers including school, camp and youth group environmental education and adventure programs. She oversees the budget and purchasing, numerous special projects and programs, and has led a number of trainings for seasonal and full-time staff. Bonnie has a M.P.A. in Emergency Management from John Jay College and a M.S. in Entomology from the University of Delaware. Her quest for knowledge and belief in knowledge sharing has led her to join NYC Emergency Management’s Community Emergency Response Team in an effort to educate the community about emergency preparedness. Bonnie joined Coro LNY to connect with others in the quest to empower New Yorkers with a specific focus in being prepared for any situation.
Catalina Cruz, Esq. is the Director to the Joint Task Force on Worker Exploitation and Employee Misclassification for the Office of Governor Cuomo. Catalina oversees the coordinated enforcement and outreach of 13 state agencies combating worker exploitation. She has dedicated her career to protecting the rights of low-income communities, holding positions in government and the non-profit sector. She served as Counsel to the Immigration Committee at the NYC Council, Counsel to the Division of Immigrant Affairs at the NYS Department of Labor, Staff Attorney at the Goddard Riverside Law Project, and as a Volunteer Assistant Attorney General. Catalina serves on the board of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County and the Cypress Hills Child Care Corporation. She graduated from John Jay College and the CUNY School of Law. Catalina considers herself an advocate for underprivileged New Yorkers and joined Coro LNY to develop new approaches that promote their success.
Catherine Zinnel is Deputy Chief of Staff to New York City Council Member Brad Lander in Brooklyn, who co-founded the Council’s Progressive Caucus and serves as Deputy Leader for Policy. During her time at the City Council, Catherine has organized new ways for people to become involved in government decision-making—premised on the idea that by broadening participation, we make more-equitable and better-leveraged investments in our shared future. She has twice coordinated a year-long participatory budgeting process, through which community members decide how to spend $1,500,000 on local capital projects, and is currently leading “Bridging Gowanus,” a community planning process for infrastructure and land use regulations in the Gowanus Canal area. Catherine is a graduate of the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College and a 2010 New York City Urban Fellow. She joined Coro LNY to meet change-makers with whom she can collaborate and further develop her personal leadership style.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 4
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Cathy Kim is a Senior Program Officer with Enterprise Community Partners, a national affordable housing organization dedicated to creating opportunity for low- to moderate-income households. Cathy develops and implements programs and policies designed to ensure access to affordable housing and long-term housing stability for New York City’s most vulnerable populations. Currently, she manages a direct impact program that is helping the city address its homelessness crisis. Throughout her career, she has been committed to developing innovative ways to use housing as a platform to create access to economic opportunity. Cathy has a degree in Diplomacy and World Affairs from Occidental College and a M.U.P. from Columbia University. Cathy is passionate about creating pathways to opportunity in New York City and she is excited to expand upon this work through her experiences and with her colleagues within Coro LNY.
Chuck Whitt serves as an Assistant District Attorney at the New York County District Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, the premier prosecutor’s office in the country. As Deputy Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 60, Chuck helps supervise and train over 50 attorneys in his unit in all areas of criminal investigation, trial advocacy, ethics, and professional skills development. Chuck is a veteran prosecutor of violent crimes, domestic violence, identity thief and vehicular crimes. He also serves on the office’s hiring committee. He has a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago, a master’s degree in Communications from Howard University and a B.S. from Cornell University. Chuck, a native New Yorker, believes that dedicated, honest people working in public service can help build stronger communities. Chuck lives in Brooklyn with his wife and eighteen-month-old daughter. He joined Coro LNY to learn new ways of solving complex public policy problems.
Christine Curella is the Director of Business Initiatives and Job Quality at the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. Christine founded and directs Best for NYC, a campaign that leverages business impact measurement tools to improve labor practices and increase community investment. Previously, Christine led economic inclusion projects at the NYC Economic Development Corporation, coordinated strategic planning for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and consulted for the World Bank. Christine has advised on community development initiatives in the Bronx, Baltimore, and New Orleans. An avid dancer, Christine has performed with Alvin Ailey’s Extension Program and Dance Place D.C. Christine holds a bachelor’s degree from the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, where she was awarded the Truman Scholarship for public service, and received her M.C.P. from MIT. Christine joined Coro LNY to further the skills and build the network to advance equitable economic development across New York City.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 5
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Dana Yeganian is Senior Vice President, Communications at Global Strategy Group, leading communications and public affairs campaigns for multiple clients and overseeing client engagements and business development. Dana joined GSG from a communications firm in North Carolina where she served as EVP/MD for client services, leading the health care, public affairs, energy and professional services practices. Earlier in her career, Dana worked at Progress Energy and for North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, where she focused on early childhood and education issues. Dana joined Coro LNY to get more involved in civic life in New York City and to learn more about issues important to the vitality and livability of the city, particularly for the city’s children. Dana is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Daniel McPhee is Executive Director of the Urban Design Forum, an independent membership organization that convenes leaders in urban planning, design and development to debate the defining issues facing New York City and our urbanizing world. As Executive Director, he works with the Board of Directors to present programming on issues like community development, historic preservation, housing, open space, resiliency, and transportation. In recent years, he has led inquiries into the redevelopment of American public housing, the mass urbanization of China, and the future of urban mobility. He is also the editor of the Forum's publications, including Next New York: 40 Ideas for the Future of the Built Environment and the Urban Design Review, which he edited from 2010 to 2013. He joins Coro LNY to better understand the relationship between public policy and the built environment.
Donovan Jones is the Director of Jurisdictional HIV Testing Initiatives at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He supervises the New York Knows HIV Testing Initiative, aimed at making sure all New Yorkers are tested for HIV and are connected to HIV care and HIV prevention services. Donovan and his staff manage coalitions in each of the five NYC boroughs, run workshops, meetings, and develop social marketing campaigns to increase HIV testing city-wide. They also provide technical assistance to hospitals, health centers, non-profit and other partner organizations to increase their capacity to meet the goals of the initiative. In addition, Donovan serves on the Board of Directors for Big Apple Performing Arts – the home of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and the Youth Pride Chorus. Donovan is a graduate of the NYU College of Global Public Health where he currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for biostatistics and epidemiology. Donovan is passionate about HIV prevention, social justice and health equity and is looking forward to expanding his role in the public health landscape through Coro LNY.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 6
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Eleni Bourinaris is the Queens Borough Director in Government and Community Relations at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). Eleni is the liaison between Queens elected officials, the community and the various projects to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of the area while achieving mission-aligned project goals over implementation and build-out. Throughout her career in the public sector, she has worked on the communications side of political campaigns, developed outreach strategies for nonprofits and PR plans for socially- conscious tech companies in the private sector. She earned her M.S. in Urban Policy Analysis and Management at The New School for Public Engagement – Milano and is a graduate of Rutgers University. Eleni is an advocate for economic equity. She joined Coro LNY to extend the reach of her network and learn how to use these levers to affect quality of life improvements in New York City to strengthen neighborhoods.
Elizabeth Stewart is the Founding Executive Director of Civic Hall Labs, a nonprofit designing and building technology pilots for the public good. Having spent the last 16 years working with nonprofits, government, and the private sector, she is demonstrating how open innovation, collaboration, and digital tools can benefit the public and improve societal challenges at the local level. As Cofounder and CEO of Impact Hub Los Angeles, she deployed a variety of skills supporting social good start-ups ranging from clean tech to community development. Elizabeth holds a M.U.P. in Economic Development from UCLA. She has served on the board of the Liberty Hill Foundation and Advisors in Philanthropy, LA. Elizabeth considers herself an intermediary between sectors and disciplines and is excited to participate in
Coro LNY to gain more experience integrating a social justice lens when building collaborations that drive civic innovation within cities.
Emily Msall is the Director of Strategy, Product, and Analytics at Education Pioneers, a national non-profit organization dedicated to building and connecting a network of leaders with diverse skills and perspectives to transform our country’s education system so that all students receive an outstanding education. Emily leads cross-functional strategy and planning to strengthen EP’s core fellowships to better meet the needs of talent and education organizations and advance sector-wide impact. Emily has spent her career working to expand opportunities for underserved students, first at the classroom level, as a Citizen Schools Teaching Fellow, and then at the system level in a variety of roles at Education Pioneers over the past seven years. She is a graduate of Columbia University, where she studied English and Comparative Literature and developed a passion for NYC and a commitment to social justice. Emily is dedicated to dismantling the oppressive power structures that divide our city and our country, and joined Coro LNY to deepen my understanding of the intersecting stakeholders, interests, and issues that shape opportunity and access; and to build and apply new leadership skills to drive systemic change in New York City.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 7
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Gina Barrow is the Associate Budget Director at Open Society Foundations (OSF). OSF places a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities all over the world. Gina oversees the day-to-day budgetary operations of approximately $1 billion annual budget. Prior to joining Open Society, Gina held numerous financial roles within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer for the District of Columbia. Her most recent position was the Education Cluster Budget Director for D.C. Government where she was responsible for the formulation, execution, and management of over $2 billion in local, federal grants and capital funds. Barrow has a B.A. in international finance and marketing from the University of Miami, and an M.P.A. from Baruch College where she matriculated as a National Urban Fellow. She also considers herself a promoter of education reform and joined Coro LNY to develop new skills to help her realize this endeavor.
Halley Potter is a fellow at The Century Foundation, where she researches public policy solutions for addressing educational inequality. Her work focuses on school integration, preschool equity, charter schools, and college admissions. She is coauthor, with Richard D. Kahlenberg, of A Smarter Charter: Finding What Works for Charter Schools and Public Education (Teachers College Press, 2014). A graduate of Yale University, Halley taught at Two Rivers Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., prior to joining Century. In 2014, she co-founded the National Coalition of Diverse Charter Schools, a grassroots advocacy and membership group supporting the creation and expansion of quality racially and economically diverse public charter schools. She is also a member of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church in downtown Brooklyn. Halley joined Coro LNY to develop new skills, perspectives, and relationships to help her become more effective leader in pushing for inclusive and equitable public education.
Hanying Peng is the Deputy Director of Marketing and Compliance at NYC Housing Partnership, New York City’s primary intermediary for the development of affordable workforce housing. Hanying manages the day-to- day operations of the rental division of the department and together with her staff ensures that affordable housing resources are fairly and efficiently matched to clients and communities in need. She came to Housing Partnership after several positions in urban planning and public policy. She holds a M.P.A. from NYU Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service and is a graduate of Fudan University in Shanghai, China. She is deeply committed to affordable housing and other public policy issues that New York faces today. Hanying hopes to bring her own international perspective to Coro LNY while learning from her fellow participants.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 8
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Jillian Shagan is the Director of Community Health and Safety Strategies for the Center for Court Innovation, where she oversees gun violence prevention efforts – managing a portfolio of community violence prevention programs, strengthening organizational understanding of the roots and impact of violence, and planning new approaches to building safer and healthier communities. She is also currently the Interim Project Director of the Harlem Community Justice Center, a community court focused on housing, youth justice, and offender reentry. In her 16-year career at the Center Jillian has had multiple roles, including running the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, serving as Development Director, and planning and implementing a variety of court and community-based initiatives. Before joining the Center, Jillian directed the legal unit of Lutheran Family and Community Services’ immigration and refugee resettlement division. She received her B.A. from Oberlin College and her J.D. from the NYU School of Law.
John Campos is the Director of the Soundview Cornerstone Program for Phipps Neighborhoods; which is focused on addressing poverty in the one of the lowest rated socio-economic communities in the country. Prior to working for Phipps Neighborhoods, John worked in the business world for over 25 years in several different leadership roles. His last position in business was responsible for managing a national business service contract for a Fortune 50 company. He is well-versed in P & L management, staff development, strategic planning, HR management, and the development/documentation of processes/procedures. He is also very familiar with youth development and advocacy, community engagement and outreach, mentoring, and program design/development. A graduate from Saint Mary’s College of California, John believes that many of today’s challenges can be effectively dealt with through collaboration on a strategic level by multiple stakeholders and believes Coro LNY provides an exciting opportunity to do so.
Julie Silverman is the Director of Communications at The Fresh Air Fund, where she oversees communications strategy and media relations. She previously served as The Fund’s Associate Director of Development and the Director of Volunteer Programs. Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities. The Fund also offers year-round academic enrichment and leadership programs. Julie is a graduate of Kenyon College with a B.A. in International Studies and holds a M.P.A. from NYU Wagner’s School of Public Service. Julie’s love of travel and volunteerism has brought her to Kenya, Ghana, Israel, Asia, and Central and South America, but she always finds her way back to her native NYC. Julie has joined the Coro LNY community to further develop her leadership skills, while learning from and working with a network of individuals committed to NYC.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 9
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Julius White is the Section Manager of Con Edison’s central warehouse located in Astoria, Queens. Julius oversees the day-to-day operations of material replenishment orders that are distributed throughout Con Edison’s territory. He is responsible for fostering safe work practices, establishing policies and procedures, and empowering a team of almost 70 employees. Julius is an active member in the Company’s Power of Giving program, an initiative dedicated to community involvement and he is a recipient of the 2015 Corporate Black Achievers Award from the Harlem YMCA. He has a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and a M.B.A. from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. Julius’ civic interests include promoting community based initiatives that keep city youths active and out of prison systems. Julius expects that the program will be an enlightening experience and provide an opportunity to develop both his personal and professional life.
Kaberi Banerjee-Murthy is the Vice President of Programs at the Brooklyn Community Foundation. Kaberi leads the grantmaking, programs and advocacy work to “spark change for a fair and just Brooklyn.” She has fifteen years of philanthropic leadership in Education, Health, Community Development, Civic Affairs and Arts & Culture at the local, regional and national level. She serves on the Steering Committees for the Asian Women's Giving Circle and the NYC Fund for Girls & Young Women of Color. She has a B.A. from Carleton College in History and Women's Studies, and a Ed.M. from Harvard University. She's had significant experience traveling and living abroad, including a year traveling around the world. Kaberi considers herself an advocate for social justice and racial equity, and joined Coro LNY to develop new relationships to amplify collective efforts to improve systems for under-served New Yorkers.
Kaitlin McCready is a senior account supervisor at Edelman, a communications and marketing agency. In her role, Kaitlin works with technology companies to create and tell their stories and connect with their target audiences. Kaitlin has spent her career in corporate communications in the technology industry, including helping to define and promote awareness of corporate social responsibility programs. She also previously served five years on the associate board at Malachi House, a non-profit in Cleveland that works with the terminally ill who lack funds or an available caregiver at the end of life. As a recent transplant to New York City and advocate for connecting the public and private sectors, Kaitlin joined Coro LNY identify common ground between these sectors to promote social justice and diverse communities. Kaitlin received a B.A. in Communications and Public Relations from Baldwin Wallace University.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 10
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Kala Wright is the Director of External Affairs at the Taxi and Limousine Commission, the agency responsible for licensing and regulating New York City’s taxi industry. Kala implements large scale outreach initiatives to taxi licensees, industry members and elected officials and manages a team of analysts who plan dynamic events and projects that inform the taxi community. Throughout her career in city government, Kala has enjoyed exploring challenges and creating systems of improvement, first at NYC311 as a Trainer/Developer, then at TLC’s Licensing Division as the Director of the Call Center and Correspondence Unit. Kala has a degree in Education from Tufts University and degree in Illustration from Pratt Institute. She joined Coro Leadership to enhance her experience in addressing large scale issues in city government and looks forward to learning with and from a network of dynamic leaders.
Karla Cordero is the Chief of Staff for the Office of Energy Management (DEM) at the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services. DEM serves as a hub for municipal government’s energy supply and energy efficiency programs and strategy, and plays a central role in reducing the city’s building greenhouse gas emissions. Karla oversees the day to day operations and manages a staff of seven in implementing energy efficiency projects. Prior to her current role, she spent the majority of her career in the social services arena developing programs and meeting constituent needs. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University and is currently pursuing a M.P.A. from Baruch College. Karla is a committed civil servant and aspires to shape polices to address equitable challenges facing the city and joined Coro LNY to develop strategies to impact policy decision-making in New York City.
Katherine Greig is a Deputy Director focused on building resiliency, flood risk outreach and flood insurance advocacy at the NYC Mayor¹s Office of Recovery and Resiliency. She is also the City’s liaison with the New York City Panel on Climate Change, a team of leading climate scientists that provides downscale climate change data for the New York City region. She previously worked on the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, the Boston Consulting Group, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She has a Master’s of Law and Diplomacy (MALD) from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, an M.B.A. from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business and a B.A. from Stanford. She lives in NYC with her husband and two sons. Through Coro LNY, Katherine hopes to expand her ability to reach and influence New Yorkers who need to understand the risks and associated costs of climate change.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 11
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Lacey Keller serves as the Director of Research and Analytics for the NYS Office of the Attorney General. Her department works closely with senior staff to support the Office of the Attorney General’s major initiatives, investigations, and policy development. Since joining the Office of the Attorney General in October 2013, Lacey has grown the Department of Research and Analytics into a leading force in leveraging big data to make cases. Her department, which includes the first data scientist to be hired by a state attorney general, continues to explore cutting-edge technologies and analytical techniques to improve the casework of the Office of the Attorney General. Prior to working at the Office of the Attorney General, Lacey worked in the research department at 32BJ Service Employees International Union. Lacey holds a master’s in Economics from the New School for Social Research in New York City and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
Laura Rog is the Director of Volunteer Strategy and Development at NYC Service, Office of the Mayor. In her role, she works with City agency and non-profit partners to drive innovative strategies to connect NYC residents to each other and the City through service, with a focus on developing outer borough engagement. Laura began her service in 2002 as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the NYS Education Department, and worked in both public school and nonprofit settings prior to joining NYC Service. She has a B.A. in English from SUNY Geneseo and an M.S. in Teaching and Curriculum from the University of Rochester, and has an avid interest in topics relating to service as social justice and the effect of civic engagement as a tool to help communities thrive. Laura looks to Coro LNY to build a greater framework to articulate and activate the potential that lies within all NYC communities.
Lauren Corona Racusin has built her career on strategically investing in cities to improve urban life. As the Deputy Director for Empire State Development in New York City, Lauren advances economic development in New York State. She previously worked at Hudson Square BID where she was responsible for the creation and execution of its $27 million streetscape improvement plan. After graduating from Columbia’s GSAPP, Lauren was awarded the Goodman Fellowship through which she developed and implemented an urban planning project in Yangon, Myanmar. She has worked on initiatives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as Lima, Peru with the U.S. Embassy in Peru. Lauren completed her undergraduate work at Princeton University. Additionally, Lauren serves on Manhattan Community Board 2 in the Land Use and Landmarks Committees, as the Executive Co- Chair for the Urban Land Institute’s Young Leaders Group, and on the Board of Managers for the Chinatown YMCA.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 12
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Lauren Hare is an Account Supervisor in the Business + Social Purpose practice at Edelman, where she advises clients on CSR programs and non- profit fundraising and marketing. Before joining Edelman, Lauren spent 9 years raising funds for non-profits providing educational and college access support to low-income youth. Her social change career began as an Americorps volunteer at the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, leading presentations on child sexual abuse prevention. Committed to LGBTQ equality, Lauren has served on the Board of Directors of Right Rides for Women’s Safety and Edelman Equal. After the Pulse shooting in June 2016, Lauren worked on- the-ground with Orlando’s LGBTQ community to build a nonprofit coalition to support victims’ families and survivors. A graduate of Smith College with a M.S. in Strategic Communications from Columbia University, Lauren joined Coro LNY because she believes that social change is possible when sectors collaborate and prioritize the greater good.
Lauren E. Wang is a Senior Resiliency Planner at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. She creates and advocates for local and federal policies in support of safer, more resilient housing in the city’s waterfront neighborhoods. She also leads several housing resiliency initiatives identified in the Resilient Edgemere Neighborhood Initiative. Lauren previously worked with partners across more than 15 agencies, firms, and non-profit organizations to streamline development processes for Build it Back, a Sandy recovery program assisting 30,000 households in New York City. In her career she has held roles in the design, planning, and legal industries. She has a M.S. in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.A. from Princeton University. Lauren joined Coro LNY to challenge her vision of a resilient and sustainable New York with perspectives from other sectors and disciplines.
Lisa Primeggia is the General Manager of Manhattan Electric Construction at Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation’s largest investor owned utilities, providing electric, gas and steam service to customers in New York City. She is responsible for the maintenance and construction of electric distribution equipment and facilities in Manhattan. Throughout her career in Con Edison she has held various roles working in electric power generation, transmission and distribution. Lisa was also an attorney in Con Edison’s Commercial Transactions Group. She is a graduate of Polytechnic University (now NYU Tandon School of Engineering) with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and holds a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Lisa considers herself an advocate for women working in STEM related occupations and has joined Coro to contribute to positive change surrounding the education of our young women.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 13
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Marline Vignier is the Regional Minority Health Consultant at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI). Marline leads national and regional initiatives eliminating health disparities, promoting disease prevention and health equity in collaboration with federal, state, territorial, tribal and community partners. During her career in the public sector, she held several roles providing program management, capacity building, and strategic planning addressing various emerging and public health issues. Marline serves as a mentor to emerging professionals in the public health workforce, and enjoys volunteering and mission work domestic and abroad. She is a graduate of Cornell University, with a M.P.H. and a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from the University of Albany. An advocate for social justice, Marline joined Coro LNY to adopt new approaches promoting change on public inequities affecting New York City.
Marlon Aranda is a Project Director in the Office of Strategic Assessment, Planning, and Design at New York University. He has worked on several large-scale planning and construction projects. Most recently, he has focused on planning projects in Downtown Brooklyn, including the upgrade to the NYU Tandon School of Engineering research facilities and the renovation of 370 Jay Street for the new Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP). Prior to coming to NYU, he worked at Rogers Marvel Architects and Polshek Partnership as a designer – focusing on residential, institutional, and higher education projects. Marlon is a registered architect and received his B. Arch. from Syracuse University and his M.C.P. from MIT. Marlon is interested in the impact of the built environment on its surrounding communities. He joined Coro LNY to broaden his understanding of how different organizations approach complex problems and get things done.
May Yu is the Director of Neighborhood Planning at the New York City Department of Small Business Services, where she oversees community- based revitalization of commercial districts in changing neighborhoods throughout the City. May has a background in community organizing and international development, and has worked on large-scale development projects in New York, Beijing, and Rio de Janeiro. Prior to joining SBS, she worked as a Senior Project Manager at the New York City Economic Development Corporation and as a Plenary Associate at the Clinton Global Initiative. May holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Chicago and a M.U.P. from Columbia University. She enjoys street food, water sports, and bad puns. May joined Coro LNY to challenge her current views on the complexities of city planning so she is better equipped to build a more inclusive and dynamic city.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 14
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Morgan Monaco is the Associate Director for Project Management at the Mayor’s Office of Operations, the City’s performance measurement and management office. She has nearly ten years’ worth of government experience at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice. During her tenure at NYC Parks, she oversaw PlaNYC initiatives and was the Director of MillionTreesNYC. At Operations, she helped to create OneNYC, which combines sustainability, equity and resiliency policy into one plan for NYC’s future. In her current role, she is responsible for applying performance measurement to increase government accountability and efficiency. Working with an array of agencies, she provides strategic insight and project management leadership to design and implement policy. Morgan has a M.P.A in Non-Profit Management from NYU Wagner, as well as a B.A. in International Studies from Vassar College. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two cats, Raymour and Flannigan.
Nahomie Louis is a Management Consultant Manager in Accenture’s Health and Public Service practice, where she delivers consulting services and best practices to local government. She supports her clients in several capacities including organizational transformations, change management, and business process design. Nahomie also serves as co-lead of Accenture’s African American Employee Resource Group in New York focusing on professional development, community service, and local market initiatives. She received her B.A. in Business Administration from Northeastern University. She has a passion for people development and innovation, and in the wake of the digital disruption era, believes there is power in technology to drive social change. Additionally, she believes in the power of the individual and importance of community, which served as motivating factors to join Coro LNY. In this program, she hopes to gain comprehensive perspective of New York City’s civic landscape, and the essential tools to make a valuable impact.
Patrick Yacco is the Manager, Executive Office & Special Projects at Friends of Hudson River Park, a non-profit organization dedicated to the completion and care of Hudson River Park. Patrick's role encompasses several areas, including government affairs and development. While at Friends, Patrick oversaw community outreach for the Chelsea Waterside Play Area Capital Campaign, which allowed users to provide direct input for the design of the project through surveys and public forums. Patrick is a passionate environmental and social justice advocate, serving on the New York League of Conservation Voters' Young Professional Committee and the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City. He received his B.A. and M.P.A. from New York University. While participating in Coro LNY, Patrick seeks to gain a deeper understanding of how New York City's government influences the daily lives of its residents, and how it can help to create a more just and equitable city.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 15
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Rachel Van Tosh is a Deputy Commissioner at the NYC Department of Small Business Services. She oversees programs that help more than 10,000 businesses navigate government, start, and grow every year. Prior to her position as Deputy Commissioner, Rachel worked in planning and economic development roles at the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the NYC Mayor's Office, and in community development non-profits in the Philadelphia area. Rachel has a B.A. in Political Science from Haverford College and an M.A. in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
Renee V. McClure-Mills is the Manager of Community and Customer Management for National Grid, the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. Her expertise lies within IT and Community engagement. She is a graduate of NYIT and California School of Ministry. Renee has participated or held leadership roles in Junior Achievement, Future Business Leaders of America, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women Young Adults, NY chapter and National BDPA, Chairperson of Black Leadership at KeySpan. Currently, the Community Chairperson of Alliance of Black Professional at National Grid, Secretary of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, Co-Chair of the MWBE Committee and Executive Board for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Weeksville Board and an executive of the NYMAC American Blacks in Energy. The methodology used by Coro provides the opportunity to explore methods to identify creative tools for implementation.
Richard Kwon is Chief of Staff at Families for Excellent Schools (FES), an advocacy organization working to shift the balance of power toward parents through organizing parents and running strategic campaigns that enable excellent schools to grow. He manages multiple strategic projects that help the organization grow with strong culture and systems. Prior to FES, he taught middle school math and history in East New York as a Teach for America corps member and worked as an investment banker at Barclays Capital. He is a graduate of Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and holds a master’s degree in Education from Relay School of Education. Having spent time in the private, public and non-profit sectors, he wants to tackle the challenges of making New York City a better place to live for all residents through Coro LNY. Richard lives with his wife and daughter in Harlem.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 16
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Robin Lester Kenton is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Brooklyn Public Library, the fifth-largest public library system in the country. Robin manages a team that oversees public communications on behalf of the library, promoting free programs and materials to all of Brooklyn’s residents. She previously served as the Director of Strategic Communications for the NYC Department of Transportation, and worked on projects including the launch of Citi Bike. She is also a board member of the Bed-Stuy Parents Committee, a group dedicated to supporting public schools in Brooklyn’s District 16. Robin received a B.S. in Television, Radio and Film from Syracuse University, and an M.A. in Sociology from the New School for Social Research. She is passionate about explaining how the city runs in creative and engaging ways to engage local residents. She joined Coro LNY to help further develop her team management skills.
Romie Barriere is the Chief of Staff for the Division of Strategy and Policy at the NYC Department of Education. In her current role, Romie advises the Deputy Chancellor for Strategy and Policy and provides oversight support for the Division of Early Childhood Education, the Office of Student Enrollment and the Office of Field Support. Education and advocacy have been key pillars throughout Romie’s career. She has worked to increase equity and access in admissions for special populations including students with disabilities and English language learners, advised States on federal education programs and served as a Graduate Fellow at the US Department of Education. Romie received her J.D. from Columbia Law School and was admitted to the NY State Bar in 2011. Romie has worked almost exclusively in the public sector and she is interested in exploring public policy from
diverse perspectives.
Ryan Chan is a Supervising Analyst in the Economic Development Unit at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, where he oversees the capital budgets of the City’s economic development agencies, as well as the expense and operating budgets of the NYC Economic Development Corporation. At OMB, Ryan focuses on how City dollars can be effectively used to create jobs in the City and how they can be used to equitably expand the City’s tax base. Through Coro LNY, he hopes to better understand how the public sector can work with the non-profit and private sectors to deliver better services to the public in a timely, cost-effective and equitable manner. He is a graduate of Connecticut College and earned his M.P.A. from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where he concentrated in Urban Policy. He is also the current chairperson of the Chinatown YMCA’s Board of Managers.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 17
LEADERSHIP NEW YORK 28 PROGRAM BIOGRAPHIES 2016-2017
Scott Hobbs is the Deputy Director of the Union Square Partnership (USP), a community-based organization proudly serving the 14th Street- Union Square neighborhood for the past 40 years. USP’s mission is to improve the quality-of-life for the district’s residents, businesses and visitors, by providing public safety, sanitation, economic development and marketing services, and investing in the beautification of Union Square Park. At USP, Scott manages strategic planning, communications, vendor relations, and the training and supervision of staff. Scott also oversees the planning, fundraising, and execution of USP’s yearly events, including the organization’s signature food and wine tasting event, Harvest in the Square. The LNY Program is the next step in Scott’s quest to build great public spaces. Through the program’s exposure to new ideas, a network of rising leaders across industries, and a framework to problem solving, Scott hopes to build a stronger foundation for affecting change and advancing policy.
Solana Chehtman is the Public Programs Manager at Friends of the High Line, the conservancy that maintains, operates and programs the High Line park. Solana is responsible for cultivating and engaging the diverse community around the park through envisioning, producing and evaluating unique and memorable cultural public programs that are free, reflective of different voices, and relevant to diverse publics. Throughout her career Solana has worked in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, in the areas of social development, education, and local government, both in her country of origin, Argentina, and internationally. Solana moved to New York in 2012 and joined Coro LNY to develop new ways to lead change as an advocate for social justice and cultural equity in her new chosen home.
Sonam Velani is an Advisor to New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development. She develops strategic policies to increase affordable housing, build infrastructure, and promote economic development throughout NYC. In conjunction with large, multi-disciplinary teams across city agencies, Sonam manages initiatives such as the $2.5 billion Brooklyn Queens Connector streetcar project; the city’s $70 million broadband strategy to close the digital divide; Women Entrepreneurs NYC, giving women access to capital, courses, and mentorship to start and scale their businesses; and neighborhood revitalization plans to bring housing, jobs, and social services across the five boroughs. Previously, Sonam was an Urban Development Associate at the World Bank. She helped plan, finance, and implement infrastructure investments across South Asia, including mass transit systems in India, coastal protection structures in Bangladesh, and civic technology applications in Nepal. Sonam started her career at Goldman Sachs, where she financed over $10 billion of infrastructure projects for clients including the City of New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the Chicago Public Schools. Sonam has a B.A. in Economics, Government, and Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University. Continuously working to improve life for others less fortunate, Sonam joined Coro LNY to meet others with similar passions and together develop the skills to be effective change-makers.
Special thanks to Edelman, the Coro Leadership New York Program Partner, for their generous support 18