Staff
If you know the name of the MAS staff member you’re looking for, click on the letters below to jump down the list, or scroll down to see a list of all current MAS staff members. Names are listed alphabetically by last name.
A| B | C | D| E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
André Allaire
Vice President, Development
E: aallaire[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1254
André Allaire joined the staff of the Municipal Art Society in March 2012 and is currently Vice President for Development. In this capacity, he works to broaden and strengthen MAS’ funding partnerships with various constituencies: individual members and donors, corporations, foundations and government entities. He has led a 15-year career in non-profit fundraising with turns as the inaugural Director of Executive MBA Alumni Relations & Development at the NYU Stern School of Business and a member of the Development teams at The New York Public Library, International House and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. A Yale graduate with a B.A. in the History of Art, André has long been a passionate New Yorker, enjoying the contemporary art scene, progressive opera and theater, and the city’s diverse restaurants.
Stacey Anderson
Manager, Events and Community Engagement
E: sanderson[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1232
Stacey Anderson joined MAS in 2013 to support the seamless execution of all MAS events and promote engagement of the city’s populace in the organization’s diverse efforts. Holding her master’s degree in Urban Social Policy from the University of Amsterdam, Stacey possesses specialized knowledge of the challenges posed by and opportunities inherent in modern urban living. During her studies, she conducted in depth research on urban regeneration policies in Berlin, working with an array of community stakeholders and policymakers in the process. With an interest in promoting civic engagement through the arts, Stacey previously worked as outreach coordinator for New York based public artist, Mary Miss.
Hazel Balaban
Manager, Cultural Development & Community Engagement
E: hbalaban[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1227
Hazel Balaban started at MAS in September 2009 and now works as the manager of cultural development and community engagement. In this role, she initiates and leads specific projects that promote the role of arts and culture in building vibrant communities. Hazel graduated from Barnard College with a focus in Urban Studies and a specialization in Urban Planning and Architecture. She is a lifelong New Yorker who currently resides in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
Erin Butler
Project Manager
E: ebutler[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1274
Erin Butler manages MAS’s Greenacre Reference Library and participates in other community engagement projects. Previously with Alliance for the Arts, she joined MAS in 2011 where she welcomes researchers to the library, sharing and developing its unique information resources on the various aspects of our evolving city. An exhibiting artist originally from the Pacific Northwest, she has worked with community arts groups throughout New York’s five boroughs. Erin is a life member of the Art Students League, editor for Women in the Arts Foundation, and an alumna of Madison Area Technical College, Wisconsin, Grays Harbor College and the University of Washington.
Al Castricone
Facilities Director
E: acastricone[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1244
Al Castricone joined MAS in January 2001 and heads the Facilities and IT departments. Prior to coming to MAS, Al created the building maintenance department for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, a function that was previously outsourced. He worked for 18 years at Miller Freeman Inc., a publisher of business-to-business magazines, where he managed the Facilities, Maintenance and Security departments. Al lives in Brooklyn with his wife Pam and four children.
Vin Cipolla
President
E: vc[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1279
Biography
Anne Coates
Vice President, Strategy & Community Engagement
E: acoates[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1286
Anne Coates is responsible for the vision, strategy and implementation of the MAS arts portfolio and its integration into the MAS Livable City platform. Vice President of the Alliance for the Arts from 1996-2011, she directed efforts including the large-scale technology project, NYC ARTS; advancing audience building, research, and advocacy efforts. She received her B.A.’s from Syracuse University in Anthropology and Secondary School Education and her M.A. in Arts Administration from Columbia University. Anne is a Coro Leadership New York XXI alum and serves on the Coro Alumni Advisory Board. She’s served on arts boards and task forces during her 23 year tenure in the arts. She is a photographer working on her first exhibition, a documentary film fan and a lover of all things Maine.
Phyllis Samitz Cohen
Director of Adopt-A-Monument / Mural Programs
E: pcohen[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1224
Phyllis Cohen has been Director of the Adopt programs since their creation in 1987 and 1991. Prior to that she was at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, assistant to the curator of American Literature and Art and special archivist for ten years, enhancing her passion for art and paper conservation first studied at the Biblioteca Nazionale, Florence, Italy. Phyllis taught Art History on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Bryn Mawr College with an M.A. in Art History. She serves on the Conservation Advisory Group of the NYC Public Design Commission advising on the restoration of public artworks. She also administrates the Brendan Gill Prize.
Alana Farkas
Project Manager, Tours & Community Engagement
E: afarkas[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1285
Alana Farkas began her work at MAS in 2010 by helping to coordinate the Conference for Preservation & Climate Change, an initiative near and dear to her heart. Over the past few years, she has worn many hats at MAS and now happily manages the walking tour program and a variety of community engagement efforts. Alana received her B.A. in Urban Studies from the New School University.
Aileen Gorsuch
Associate Planner in Advocacy
E: agorsuch[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1260
Aileen Gorsuch began working in Planning and Advocacy at MAS in June 2010 and has since contributed to MAS’ 2011 Garment District report and to the analysis of NYU’s expansion plans. Her past experience includes planning and historic preservation work with former Bronx Borough President’s Historic Preservation Task Force and as an intern with the Parks Department at the Queens Historical Society. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Aileen moved east to study art history at Smith College and went on to earn a Masters of Urban Planning Degree from Hunter College.
Jessica Halem
Director, Marketing & Communications
E: jhalem[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1234
Jessica Halem directs the Marketing and Communications efforts on behalf of MAS. She previously managed the Tours program and Jane’s Walk as well as produced the 2012 MAS Summit for NYC. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, she became Bella Abzug’s assistant at the Women’s Environment & Development Organization (WEDO) and then went on to work in Chicago, Portland, Oregon and New Orleans. She has led the Marketing and Communications efforts for internet start-ups, a small museum, prize-winning independent films, public affairs and election campaigns, HIV/AIDS work, LGBTQ health, and architecture / design firms. On her off-hours, she is a stand-up comic who performs in clubs, theaters and colleges across the country.
Rachel Infeld
Development Associate
E: rinfeld[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1226
Rachel Infeld works on MAS’ major fundraising events, the MAS Summit for New York City and the annual benefit, and assists in day-to-day development activities. Rachel first joined MAS in October 2010 following an internship with the City of Worcester, Massachusetts’ Economic Development Department and a number of programmatic and administrative positions with other non-profit organizations. Rachel received a Master’s in Community Development and Planning in 2010 from Clark University where she also graduated in 2009 with a B.A. in Government and International Relations with a concentration in Urban Development and Social Change.
Geir Jaegersen
Controller
E: gjaegersen[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1250
Geir Jaegersen has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maine. Prior to coming to Municipal Art Society, Geir worked as an accountant for a number of non-profit performing arts organizations, as well as in the hospitality and public relations industries. A Connecticut native, Geir lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.
Paul Kelterborn
Manager, Programs & Community Engagement
E: pkelterborn[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1283
Paul Kelterborn works on developing content and organizing MAS public programs. Before joining MAS Paul worked as a project manager for a residential real estate developer in Manhattan and in business development for two large architecture firms. He is also a co-founder of the AIDS Memorial Park Campaign and of the Hudson River Powerhouse Group, a preservation advocacy organization. His undergraduate work was in sociology at Oberlin College and he received a master’s in urban planning from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design.
Robert Libbey
Vice President, Finance and Administration
E: rlibbey[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1225
Robert Libbey has a Master of Science in Accounting from Baruch College of the City University of New York and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maine. Prior to coming to Municipal Art Society, Robert worked at both the Alliance for the Arts and Central Conference of American Rabbis. He lives in New York City with his spouse and enjoys the opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the New York Mets.
Raju Mann
Director, Policy & Planning
E: rmann[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1289
Raju leads advocacy on planning, design, and transportation issues at MAS. He recently helped complete Fashioning the Future – a study of NYC’s Garment District and New York’s Next Great Waterfront Park – a community based plan for a new waterfront park along the East Midtown waterfront. Prior to joining MAS, Raju was a planner in the Manhattan Office of the Department of City Planning, where he worked on a variety of policy matters and managed the land use review process for complex real estate projects. He is currently a member of Community Board Five in Manhattan. A native New Yorker, he graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Philosophy and from the University of Michigan with a M.A. in Urban Planning.
Maia Mordana
Receptionist
E: mmordana[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1200
Maia Mordana has been with MAS since 1990. In 2008, she expanded her activities to become an assistant in the Development Department, as well as taking over tour/program registrations, while continuing to welcome callers to the MAS. Maia is a graduate of Traphagan School of Design, a fashion design and illustration school in Manhattan. A native New Yorker, she resides in Westchester County.
Brenda Parkerson
Director, Corporate Development
E: bparkerson[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1230
As Director of Corporate Development, Brenda seeks to develop deep and lasting partnerships with corporations across all industries. With an MBA and a broad and varied background in the arts and creative industries, she brings business skills and creativity to her work. She was previously New Business Consultant for Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and Director of Arts & Business in the north of England where she successfully developed partnerships between business and the arts. She has worked in local government in the UK and as a documentary film director and producer in Berlin, Germany. Her films have been screened at MoMA and broadcast across Europe. She has published on the subject of “city brand building” and is particularly interested in the role that culture plays in creating great places.
Gloria Parris
Senior Bookkeeper
E: gparris[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1251
Gloria Parris joined the MAS finance department in 1999. Her prior work experience includes accounting and bookkeeping for the New York office of FTA, an Italian electronic goods importer. Prior to relocating to the United States, she worked for the government of Trinidad & Tobago in the Division of Ministry of Works, Accounting Department, and the General Post Office. Gloria attended Alpha College in Trinidad, HANAC Educational Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and Borough of Manhattan Community College. She currently lives with her husband and is the proud mother of three children. Her older son holds prestige as a U.S. Marine and has served four consecutive tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
David Rivera
Database Manager
E: drivera[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1264
David Rivera joined the Development Department in December 2010. He is responsible for the management of the database, membership renewals, the recording of donations, and the production of mailing lists, acknowledgement letters and reports. David is a native New Yorker who graduated from Xavier High School and St. John’s University. Prior to MAS, he worked in Development for the Police Athletic League, Metropolitan College of New York, the Institute of International Education and Xavier High School. David is also an usher at Madison Square Garden.
Bryan Patrick Ross
Executive Assistant to the President
E: bross[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1221
Bryan Ross joined MAS in July 2012 after working in recruiting for a top investment bank. Bryan manages the day-to-day affairs in the President’s Office and additionally assists in special projects and events. Originally from the Charlotte suburbs, Bryan moved to New York (and ultimately, Brooklyn!) after receiving his BA in English & History from Presbyterian College. A lover of all things urban, Bryan is currently pursuing a Masters in City & Regional Planning at Pratt Institute.
Mary Rowe
Vice President & Managing Director
E: mrowe[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1257
Mary W. Rowe connects the work of the society with the broader goals of livability and resilience, and deepening its role in identifying and promoting community-based approaches to city-building. Mary has been a grant-maker (blue moon fund, Charlottesville, Virginia), a social entrepreneur, a facilitator, and calls herself an ‘urban animator.’ Prior to coming to MAS, Mary was based in New Orleans, where she witnessed first-hand the resilience of community-led initiatives, and the need to approach city-building holistically, always connecting social, economic, cultural and environmental considerations.
Alexis Taylor
Project Manager, Advocates for Privately Owned Public Space
E: ataylor[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1229
Alexis Taylor began working at MAS, in collaboration with Professor Jerold Kayden’s organization Advocates for Privately Owned Public Spaces (APOPS), in March 2012. Prior to coming to MAS, she served as a project planner in New York and Los Angeles, where she had the opportunity to work on the city’s ongoing Grand Avenue Project. Alexis has focused, in both her education and work experience, on the opportunities and challenges in creating successful public space in mixed-use urban developments by combining public and private resources. She majored in Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to earn a Master of City Planning (MCP) degree from MIT.
Ronda Wist
Vice President, Preservation & Government Relations
E: rwist[at]mas.org
T: 212-935-3960 x1282
Ronda Wist joined MAS in November 2009, and oversees MAS urban design, planning, and preservation policy and advocacy efforts. Ronda comes to MAS with 25 years of public sector experience, including ten years as the Executive Director of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) and five years as the Director of Land Use Review at the New York City Department of City Planning. After her government work, she was a principal at HR&A Advisors. Ronda has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. She is the author of On Fifth Avenue: Then and Now (1992).
