MEET THE 2020–21 COHORT

We are excited to introduce the next Leadership New York (LNY) cohort! These participants will explore the social, political, and economic issues facing New York City today and learn how to navigate varying stakeholder interests. By the end of the program, participants will develop the personal leadership skills, NYC knowledge and multi-sector network to accomplish goals in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Cohort 33

Alex Lieber

Technical Director, AKRF, Inc.

Committed to helping New York grow into a healthy, equitable, and environmentally sustainable community.

Alexis Suib

Parent Empowerment Liaison, New York City Department of Education

Passionate about educational equity, immigrant rights and criminal justice reform.

Anita Lovaincy

Strategic Partnerships Director, City Year, Inc.

Passionate about addressing the systemic challenges within the criminal justice system, and the disparate impact on BIPOC.

Anneka Preston

Grants Manager, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

Mission-driven professional who is passionate about creating spaces for diverse, equitable and inclusive human development.

Danielle Mowery

Community Engagement - Social Media/Communications, Brooklyn Book Festival - The Partnership for the Homeless

Passionate about promoting fairness and equity in NYC life, especially in education, civic engagement, housing and justice.

Darcy Richie

Senior Director of Program and Impact, Generation Citizen

Committed to leaning on education as a tool and resource for empowering young people and elevating their voice.

Davey Ives

Chief of Staff - Brooklyn, NYC Parks

Passionate about improving the built environment and urban open spaces in ways that provide equitable experiences for all New Yorkers.

David Lowry

Project Director, NYC Criminal Justice Agency

Passionate about reducing the jail and prison populations while working to diminish systemic racism and bias in the criminal justice system.

Dimitra Karachaliou

Project Controls Manager, AECOM

On top of my list, passionate about affordable housing and accommodation for homeless people, immigrant integration and youth education.

Ed Cen

Development and Communications Associate, Fort Greene Park Conservancy

Passionate about creating equity through political representation and advocating for parks and open spaces for all New Yorkers.

Ian Lundy

Director of Transactions, NYC Housing Authority

Passionate about increasing access to housing and transportation, focused the intersection of policy and investment.

Ianne Inzerillo

Manager, Organizational Development, Brooklyn Public Library

I am a true believer that access to open and green spaces is in reach of all.

Ibrahima Souare

Community Development Officer, LISC NYC | Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Small business strategist and economic development enthusiast with passion for supporting disenfranchised communities.

Ivelisse Sosa

Director Of Operations, WHIN Music Community Charter School

Striving to be a part of an environment where students receive an equitable, joyous, and rigorous education.

Jessica Clarke

Chief, CIvil RIghts Bureau, New York State Office of the Attorney General

Passionate about protecting the rights of all New Yorkers, particularly in the areas of fair housing and criminal justice.

Jessica Lax

Director of Programs, Van Alen Institute

Dedicated to advancing values-based public/private and community partnerships.

Joe White

Distributed Generation Ombudsman, Con Edison

Dedicated advocate for racial equality and human rights. Passionate about community outreach and mentoring disadvantaged youth.

Jose Medrano

Analyst, Karp Strategies

Passionate about economic development that advances equitable, diverse, and livable neighborhoods.

Joe McMillen

Senior Space Planner, NBA

Passionate about policy and helping the government operate more strategically and effectively for all people.

Kendall Lewis

School-Age Network Manager, South Bronx Rising Together

Increasingly passionate about economic equity addressing issues of wage stagnation, unionization, our tax structure, and wealth generation.

Laura Roumanos

Executive Director & Co-founder, Photoville

Committed to developing sustainable ways to provide paid opportunities for artists that allow them to create challenging visual stories.

Lee Ann Norman

Director, Learning and Leadership Programs, League of American Orchestras

Passionate about increasing the reach of arts and culture using fair and equitable approaches to support vibrant community life.

Luis Morales

Executive Director of the Manhattan D.A. Academy, Manhattan DA's Office

Passionate about meeting the needs of all New Yorkers through policy development and innovations in criminal justice.

Manuel Miranda

Owner and Lead Designer, Manuel Miranda Practice, LLC

Graphic designer dedicated to making NYC's cultural amenities, economic development programs and educational opportunities navigable to all.

Michelle Patrice Booker

Deputy District Director, Congressman Adriano Espaillat

Dedicated to ensuring access to health and equitable treatment within the healthcare system for communities in NYC.

Paul Heckler

Major Gifts Officer, The Public Theater

Passionate about the intersections of arts and culture, public space, and the relationship of urban policy and justice.

Quincy Alegría-Gambrell

Providing creative solutions to capital access for economically disadvantaged communities via economic & social infrastructure development.

Ramakrishna Kadukuntla

Program Coordinator, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

Tackling community development and city policy issues in the Immigrant community, Disability community & Disabled Veterans community.

Richard Mullings

M/WBE Consultant, Empire State Development

Passionate about closing racial equity gaps in education, business growth, and housing stabilization in low-income communities.

Ryna Dery

Associate Executive Director, Educational Alliance

Passionate about building community and committed to health equity and food access.

Sabre Kaszynski

Executive Director, New York City Department of Social Services

Dedicated to making government work for all people. Passionate about providing health care for all.

Sam Livingston

Director of Operations, Weill Music Institute, Carnegie Hall

Believes arts and culture orgs are essential infrastructure, connecting NYC and amplifying voices; Passionate about equity.

Shanon Shaw

Associate Director of Operations, Center for Court Innovation

Passionate about building community and fostering equity for those who are otherwise marginalized.

Thomas Brigandi

Lead Analyst, Moody's Investors Service

Passionate about ensuring working class and retired Americans never face entitlement benefit cuts.

Yui Scribner

Head of Operations, Impact America Fund

Exploring the convergence of people, products, and policy to advance the common good and restore the promise of the American Dream for all.

Cohort 34

Adrian Ogle

Head, Global Events & Engagements, Echoing Green

Passionate about fairness and freedom for all New Yorkers; dedicated to creating space and vibrancy for LGBTQ+ people of color.

Alex Destin

Strategy Senior Manager, Accenture

Passionate about the professional and educational advancement of underserved groups.

Alexandria Sica

President, Dumbo Improvement District

Dedicated to bringing communities together and harnessing the power of a local economy for everyone.

Bakbakkar Harris

Director of Regional Support, Students in Temporary Housing - Department of Education

Passionate about advocating on behalf NYC Students in Temporary Housing and vulnerable youth.

Charlotte Levitt

Director of Marketing & Digital Communications, New York City Campaign Finance Board

Curious about redesigning our government and democratic systems to be more responsive, just, and helpful to all New Yorkers.

Chris Durosinmi

Assistant Director, Government & Community Affairs, Wildlife Conservation Society

Ensuring NYC's pandemic recovery includes a social justice lens for historically disenfranchised communities & their outstanding challenges.

Darryl Ramsey

Associate Director EY Government Public Sector, EY

Interested in new policing methodologies inclusive of Criminal Justice reform and Digital Equity to enable an equalizing societal shift.

Deborah Asirifi

Director of Support Services & Child Registration, The Fresh Air Fund

Passionate about developing relationships with community-based organizations to deliver resources to NYC’s underserved communities.

Edwin B. Maxwell

Director, Neighborhood Services, Brooklyn Public Library

Passionate about building stronger communities and advancing equity through the freedom of information and education.

Elaine Mahoney

Senior Resilience Project Manager, HPD

Dedicated to developing affordable, sustainable, and resilient communities.

Andrew Riley

Deputy Director of Training, Taxi and Limousine Commission

Passionate about professional development and education as key factors to the promotion of diversity and inclusion for all people.

Grace Philipp

Senior Associate - East Region Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Dedicated to advancing an equitable NYC through community engagement and economic development innovations.

Grey Elam

Director of New York City Programs, Institute for Urban Parks at Central Park Conservancy

Committed to access and inclusion in NYC’s parks and public spaces.

Hatuey Ramos-Fermín

Director of Programs, The Laundromat Project

Passionate about leveraging arts and culture for a just and equitable city.

Heidi Morales

Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, NYC Department of Investigation

Interested in exploring a path towards equitable education for all NYC children; fair and just housing rents; food security for all.

J. Joan Hon

Partner, Rooney Nimmo PC

Passionate about ensuring that marginalized communities have a voice.

Jeff Lee

Principal, Capalino+Company

Interested in developing improved models of public-private partnerships making sustainable investments & improvements in urban communities.

Jerry Weinstein

Writer & Civic Engagement Strategist, Freelancer. Clients include: Civic Hall, Guardian, NYTimes, TED, IBM, National Constitution Center

Connecting civic tech startup founders to those who can amplify their work while providing mentoring on strategy, comms, and culture.

John Rooney

Economic Inclusion Manager, Gilbane Building Company

Passionate about unlocking opportunities in construction to address economic inequality and strengthen historically underserved communities.

Jose Miranda

Director of Economic Justice, Chhaya Community Development Corporation

Dedicated to pursuing economic equity for underrepresented groups.

Joseph Sutkowi

Consultant, Karp Strategies

Fascinated by infrastructure planning and eager to embed new voices in the development process to make economic growth inclusive.

Kawan Clinton

Supervising Attorney, The Legal Aid Society

Passionate about changing the legal system towards equity for ALL. Inclusion focused until Black Lives Matters is a basic human principle.

Kevin Watts

Senior Product Manager, GE Renewable Energy

Passionate about building and powering a more sustainable and equitable urban environment.

Lauren Chung

Immediate Past-President, New York Junior League

Passionate about ensuring equitable & effective public pre-K-12 education, and effective advocacy on behalf of underserved populations.

Lyna Vuong

Senior Design Strategist, Margaret Sullivan Studio

Passionate about advancing nourishing and sustainable food systems, and creating more equitable, vibrant communities.

Michelle Gottlieb

Camping Department Manager, The Fresh Air Fund

Passionate about providing career development opportunities for young adults and connecting NYC youth to new experiences in the outdoors.

Natasha Liggins-Modelo

Senior Project Manager, NYCERS

Passionate about providing sustainable opportunities usually inaccessible to young people residing in underserved or underprivileged areas.

Nayira Polanco

Community School Director, Wediko NYC

Dedicated to education systems that advance racial justice, dismantle white supremacy, break school-to-prison pipeline & honor POC history.

Ometa Killiebrew

Deputy Director, Retirement and Pension Benefits, NYCERS

Passionate about equal opportunities in youth education, extracurricular activities for children and long-term societal benefits of both.

Patrick Hart

Program Director, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance

Supporting community organizations & equitable, humane systems of workforce & youth development, affordable housing & criminal justice.

Pisei Chea

Assistant Vice President - Analyst, Moody's Investors Service

Passionate about the promotion of inclusive policies that support immigrants' rights and access to services.

Reina Utsunomiya

Senior Director, Grades 9-14 NYC P-TECH Schools, New York City Department of Education

Passionate about empowering youth to reach greater economic mobility through public-private partnerships and community building.

Bobby Derival

Executive Director of the Masters in Public Administration Program, The City College of New York

Committed to growth of NYC's upcoming social change activators to lead authentically, collaborate collectively & expand civic solutions.

Rodney H. Greaves

IT Manager Procurement, Budget, & Contracts, NYCERS

Passionate about ensuring young people are equipped educationally and emotionally to handle daily challenges.

Sarahn O’Uhuru

Senior HR Recruitment Coordinator, NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME)

Passionate about public service and promoting equity and creating programs that support diversity and inclusion particularly in recruitment.

Saul Almonte

Section Manager, ConED

Interested in the areas of racial inequality and passionate about educating the youth.

Sharese Crouther

Associate Director of Operations and Planning, Center for Court Innovation

I have a real passion for developing and implementing projects and initiatives that are intentional and serves communities of color.

Susan Charles

Administrative Retirement Benefit Specialist Manager, NYCERS

Passionate about providing professional and educational development resources for young women pursuing social and financial independence.

Terry Yarde

Manager, National Grid

Passionate about supporting underserved communities through education.

Xamayla D. Rose

Deputy Public Advocate of Civic & Community Empowerment, Office of the New York City Public Advocate

Passionate about empowering historically marginalized communities via civic education, restoring franchise and equity for people of color.

Yvette Clairjeane

Recruitment, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, NYC Department of City Planning (DCP)

Passionate about diversifying the NYC public-schools and creating an equitable education system regardless of family economic status.

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