Our Team

Meet our Staff, Board and Chairman’s Council

StaffBoardChairman's Council

Staff

Our team includes experts in construction, horticulture, design, environmental education, administration and fundraising.

Leadership

Lynn B. Kelly

Executive Director

Gary Dearborn

Chief of Capital

Catherine Hall

Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Erica Helms

Chief Advancement Officer

Jeffrey Manzer

Chief Financial Officer

Administration

Alexis Braxton

Office Manager

Ginette Tchabda

Staff Accountant

Engagement and Programming

Corey Blant

Deputy Director of Urban Agriculture

Genevieve Harding

Urban Agriculture Manager

Michael Horwitz

Public Programming Coordinator

Jessica North

Senior Engagement Manager

Charlie Reynoso

Deputy Director of Engagement

Development and Marketing

Chris Barrett

Foundation Relations Director

Michael Cady

Individual Giving Officer

Cory Hasson

Government Affairs Manager

James Healy

Corporate Giving Manager

Monique Holloway

Database Manager

Sophie Maisterra Navratil

Development & Communications Associate

Ariel Lauren Wilson

Senior Director of Marketing & Communications

Operations

Mony Baxendale

Zone Gardener, Northern Manhattan

Geneva Galioto

Citywide Project Coordinator

Carley Guida

Zone Gardener, Brooklyn Gardens

Charles Hill

Landscape Supervisor

Ryan Lawrence

Forest Restoration Specialist

Christopher McArdle

Landscape Manager, Northern Manhattan Parks

William Pries

Citywide Project Coordinator

Yessenia Santiago

Assistant Director of Operations

Edwards Santos

Sherman Creek Park Manager

Jason Sheets

Director of Garden Horticulture & Citywide Greening Projects

Simon Skinner

Senior Director of Operations

Jason Smith

Director, Northern Manhattan Parks

Andrew Stewart

Citywide Project Manager

Donte Taylor

Deputy Director, Community Gardens

Dustin Thomsen

Chief of Repair & Construction

Jerell White

Groundskeeper, Northern Manhattan Parks

Stephen Williams

Zone Gardener, Bronx & Manhattan

Seasonal Staff

  • Rhys Bethke Seasonal Urban Agriculture Coordinator
  • Jon Crow Seasonal Engagement and Programming Assistant
  • Jordan Deshields Seasonal Operations Crew Member
  • George Edison Seasonal Assistant Gardener, Brooklyn
  • Mel Giraldo Seasonal Engagement and Programming Assistant
  • Annie Klein Seasonal Garden Assistant, Bronx and Manhattan
  • Kareen Matadeen Seasonal Assistant Gardener, Sherman Creek Park
  • Edward "Pepper" Negron Seasonal Operations Crew Member, Bronx and Manhattan
  • Jesse Newman Seasonal Assistant Gardener, Bronx and Manhattan
  • Camille Oldani Seasonal Urban Agriculture Coordinator
  • John Graciliano Ramirez Seasonal Park Stewardship Assistant
  • Hannah Rola Seasonal Park Stewardship Assistant
  • Nelson Thomas Seasonal Park Stewardship Assistant
  • Mia Véissid Seasonal Forest Restoration Technician

Board

NYRP's Board includes leaders in architecture, design, real estate, and entertainment who oversee the affairs and advance the core mission of the organization.

Bette Midler

Founder

Helena Durst

Co-Chair

Darcy Stacom

Co-Chair

Vered Rabia

President

Erhard Marius

Treasurer

Samuel M. Ashner

Krystyna Blakeslee

Heather Butts

Betty Y. Chen

Todd DeGarmo

Susan Donoghue

Ex-Officio

Walter Hood

Michael Kors

Michael Lorber

James L. Nederlander

Benjamin F. Needell, Esq.

Kelebohile Nkhereanye

Janice Parker

ASLA, Ex-Officio

David Rockwell, FAIA

Josh Sirefman

Sophie von Haselberg

Sondra C. Wenger

Miriam Wheeler

Shelly Malkin

Emeritus

Ann Ziff

Emeritus

Chairman's Council

NYRP's Chairman's Council represents a select group of civic-minded individuals who, through their involvement and leadership, embrace and promote the mission of our work.

  • Janice Parker, Chair
  • Tim Gunn
  • Mychal Johnson
  • Charles Bendit
  • Sophie Coquillette Koven
  • Adrian Benepe
  • Jakob Levison
  • Noble Black
  • Rob Light
  • Diane Brownstone
  • Margo MacNabb Nederlander
  • Alexandra Cohen
  • Joshua Rider
  • Douglas Durst
  • Paul D. Selver
  • Amy Goldman Fowler
  • Andrea Woodner

Join the Chairman's Council

Members participate in special projects including galas, thought leadership events, and exclusive garden occasions. Contact us to learn more.

Learn More
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