Anthony Casciano is the President and CEO of Siemens Financial Services, Inc. (SFS, Inc.), the U.S. financial arm of Siemens and legal booking entity for Siemens Financial Services’ (SFS) activities in the Americas. Previously, Casciano served as CEO of the global Industry and Healthcare Finance business at SFS, overseeing the growth of SFS’s activities in the global healthcare and industrial markets in addition to managing the global leveraged finance business across all industries.

Throughout his tenure, Casciano built a global equity business, namely with infrastructure finance expertise. In 2018, under Casciano’s leadership, SFS and strategic partner Tata Group – forming a consortium – were recognized with a Letter of Award by the Indian government for an equity investment in the development of a transportation project in India.

Casciano was also responsible for the strategy and creation of the global healthcare and leveraged finance business unit after SFS underwent an organizational change in 2011 to better align with Siemens’ core businesses. In addition, he expanded the healthcare finance business, which provides debt and equity solutions to the healthcare industry, into the Asia-Pacific region.

Previously, Casciano was senior vice president and general manager at SFS in North America, establishing SFS’s Corporate Finance group, which specializes in leveraged lending to middle market and larger corporate clients. He led the team’s rapid growth as a key contributor to SFS’s U.S. business success, establishing Siemens as a key player in the leveraged finance business.

Prior to joining Siemens in 2008, Casciano was managing director and head of DB Mid-Market Capital at Deutsche Bank, where his team focused on leveraged finance opportunities for mid-sized companies. Prior to that, he was the chief sales officer for the commercial and corporate finance business units at CIT and held various leadership positions within GE Capital’s corporate finance businesses.

Anthony holds a B.A. degree in economics from Drew University and an M.B.A. in marketing from Rutgers University’s School of Business. He is a certified Six Sigma black belt and has been nominated for and participated in several corporate-lead executive leadership and strategic marketing courses.

Susannah C. Drake is a Principal at Sasaki. Prior to merging the firms Susannah founded DLANDstudio Architecture + Landscape Architecture PLLC. Her work has received city, state, and national AIA and ASLA awards. Susannah was awarded the AIA Young Architects Award, Fellowship in the AIA, Fellowship in the ASLA, and was recognized as an Architectural League Emerging Voice. Susannah specializes in complex projects that require a synthesized, analytical, and research-based approach. Her large-scale planning work engages diverse systems to create ecologically and socially progressive projects that are rigorously researched, strategically planned, and beautifully designed.

Susannah’s creative vision is consistently at the forefront of innovation in urban ecological infrastructure. Her campus landscape design and large-scale urban infrastructure work received grant funding from the J.M. Kaplan Fund, the Graham Foundation, James Marston Fitch Foundation, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, Rockefeller Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts among others. She lectures globally about resilient urban infrastructure, and has taught at the Cooper Union, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Syracuse University, Washington University, CCNY, and the Escola da Cidade in Sao Paolo Brazil. Susannah was the Cejas Scholar at Florida International University, and 2016 Morgenstern Visiting Chair at the Illinois Institute of Technology. From 2019-2021 she was Associate Professor of architecture and landscape architecture at the University of Colorado Boulder Program in Environmental Design. In 2021 she became Visiting Associate Professor at the Cooper Union.

Her works and writings on climate adaptation and infrastructure are published in ​“A Blueprint for Coastal Urbanism” (Island Press 2021), ​“Public Space Reader” (Routledge 2021), ​“Four Corridors” (Hatje Cantz 2019), ​“Design with Nature Now” (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy 2019), ​“Nature and Cities” (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy & UT Austin 2016), and ​“Rising Currents” (MoMA 2011). Her book ​“Gowanus Sponge Park” will be published by Park Books in 2023.

Susannah’s design work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. In 2020 her Gowanus Canal Sponge Park project won the inaugural Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian National Design Award for Climate Action. Most recently she unveiled a bold plan titled ​“History Secured” for how to protect and preserve cultural and ecological assets of the National Mall in Washington DC.

Susannah served on the boards of the Van Alen Institute, ASLA, and Regional Plan Association among others. She is currently the President of the board of the Clyfford Still Museum. Susannah received a BA from Dartmouth College and MArch and MLA degrees from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She splits her time between offices in Brooklyn, New York and Denver, Colorado.

Jim Johnson was Corporation Counsel for NYC and now serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Trinity Church Wall Street. Each of those institutions has served the city for more than 325 years. In those two leadership roles, he has grappled with the challenges of housing and homelessness, inequality, and development. His public service on both sides of the Hudson includes both nearly two years as special counsel to Governor Murphy managing the state’s role in Atlantic City social and economic development and seven years as federal monitor in a fair housing settlement in Westchester County.

He was a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton LLC for 12 years and served as a senior official in the Clinton Administration, including as Under Secretary of the Treasury. He was a candidate for Governor in the 2017 NJ Democratic primary.

Jim is a graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and his board service includes the Harvard Board of Overseers, the Brennan Center for Justice, where he served as Chair, and the Citizens Campaign where he currently serves as Vice Chair. He has also served on various arts boards. In addition to his current service on the Board of the Academy of American Poets, Jim served on the boards of the Montclair Arts Museum, the Montclair Film Festival and Jazz House Kids.

He is married to Nancy Northup who is the President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights. They have four adult children.

Kay LiCausi is a highly sought-after government and public relations strategic advisor and issues advocate. A creative and dynamic business leader with almost 30 years of experience in government and politics at the local, county, state, and federal levels, Kay knows how public policy, politics and process intersect to craft and deliver personalized strategies to achieve client objectives.

Kay is the founder and President of Hoboken Strategy Group, a boutique government and public relations firm and certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Kay has led HSG since its inception in 2008 and, to date, has more than doubled the size of the organization. HSG represents a diverse client-base including Fortune 100 companies, pharmaceutical interests, brownfield developers, national associations, and government entities. HSG works with organizations in New Jersey to increase their business presence, solve regulatory challenges, or champion legislative issues. Kay has bipartisan reach and has guided her clients through five gubernatorial administrations.

Kay has served on the New Jersey Committee of the Regional Plan Association since 2010 and was selected by Governor Murphy to serve on his Government Technology and Innovation Transition Team. Kay is a determined advocate for women and children. She believes that business and government entities are stronger when a diverse array of voices collaborate, which is why she dedicates her time to ensure the placement of women in key governmental positions and on boards and commissions. Kay serves as the co- lead of the Democratic Task Force of the Bipartisan Coalition for Women’s Appointments; the former Co- Chair and current Board Member of PAM’s List, a New Jersey fundraising network for democratic women legislators; the board of Latina Civic PAC; and as the Treasurer for Girl Scout Troop 10370. Additionally, Kay is a mentor with the Jamie Fox Scholars Program at TCNJ.

Prior to forming her first lobbying firm, KL Strategies in 2002, Kay was the New Jersey Chief of Staff to then- Congressman Bob Menendez and ran his New Jersey issues portfolio which included transportation and infrastructure, dredging, environmental protection, and federal funding. She was the primary New Jersey liaison with federal agencies, elected officials and community leaders across the State. In her political career, Kay has served in a variety of positions from field organizer to finance director to campaign manager on several campaigns including Tom DeGise for County Executive, McGreevey for Governor ​‘97, and Robert Torricelli for US Senate. Kay served as the Vice-Chair of the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization from 2002-2005.

In January 2020, NJ Monthly profiled Kay, and her husband, Matt McDermott, who held senior leadership positions under Governor Chris Christie, on their bipartisan marriage and their belief that government is stronger when both parties work together. In 2013, Kay lectured at the Eagleton Institute of Politics Public Leadership Education Network series. In 2010, Latinas United for Political Empowerment gave Kay the ​“Amiga Award” at the Power of Women event. In 2009, Kay climbed Mt Kilimanjaro with the Love Hope Strength Foundation and raised funds to build the first children’s cancer center in Tanzania. In 2007, NJBiz named her one of the state’s forty most dynamic leaders under 40.

Kay earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and American Studies from Rutgers University in 1993. Kay is a proud single mom-by-choice to her daughter Lily. The LiCausi-McDermott family resides in Monmouth County.

Jose Lozano serves as Senior Vice President for Strategic Business Partnerships at Hackensack Meridian Health, the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in New Jersey.

An accomplished executive in strategy, operations, public relations and communications across multiple sectors, Jose has distinguished himself through a solid record of achievement in state, national and international affairs.

Jose returned to Hackensack Meridian Health in 2022 to oversee the development and implementation of external strategies that bridge the private sector with quality healthcare. His responsibilities also include managing the organization’s real estate portfolio ensuring the footprint meets the needs of the communities served.

Prior to his return, Jose was president and chief executive officer of Choose New Jersey, the state’s leading not-for-profit organization facilitating economic growth throughout New Jersey. Under Jose’s leadership, Choose New Jersey expanded its operations to Europe and India, managed a groundbreaking $10 million business marketing initiative on behalf of the State of New Jersey, and helped recruit and retain tens of thousands of jobs in the state, resulting in billions of dollars in new investment.

Before leading Choose New Jersey in 2018, Jose was Chief of Staff and Vice President for Corporate Services and Governance at Hackensack Meridian Health, where he managed several critical executive office functions including corporate relations, strategy development, operations, board relations, public relations and communications. became chief of staff for HMH upon the onset of the merger and played an instrumental role in our integration efforts.

Before joining the Hackensack Meridian Health leadership team, Jose served in the Obama Administration as Deputy Chief of Staff and homeland security advisor at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, leading an immediate staff of 100+ in the development and implementation of the agency’s environmental agenda domestically and abroad.

His years of experience in these positions and others, including as Executive Director of the 2017 Transition for Governor-elect Phil Murphy, Director of External Affairs for the newly created New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Director of Operations for New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine, and Transition Staff for Obama/Biden, have given Jose unique expertise in building and managing organizations through times of crisis, transition, merger and consolidation.

Widely recognized as one of New Jersey’s leading young executives, he has been named among NJBiz’s Top 40 Under 40, Becker’s Hospital Review’s 60 National Rising Stars Under 40, ROI-NJ’s Power 100, and listed in the top People of Color Influencer List. Jose currently serves on several boards, including the National Advisory Board of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, NJ Innovation Institute and Stockton University.

Jose is a New Jersey native, who received his Bachelor of Arts from Stockton University and a Masters degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He and his wife, Amanda, live in Oradell, NJ with their two daughters.

Folasade (Sade) A. Olanipekun-Lewis is the Vice President for Operating and Community Partnerships where she leads the development and implementation of the diversity and community outreach strategy for the Terminal 6 & 7 Redevelopment Project at JFK International Airport, and Terminal B LaGuardia International Airports. This includes designing and implementing programs and overseeing initiatives to meet affirmative action, equal opportunity, minority and women-owned business, local business, and disadvantaged business enterprise participation goals. She also supports the Vantage network in other regional initiatives.

Previously, Ms. Olanipekun-Lewis was Regional Director for Government and Airport Affairs with American Airlines where she was responsible for directing and coordinating all state and local political, governmental, and community strategies to support the company’s business goals. She also developed airport affairs strategies and managed properties at PHL & DCA by representing the company’s corporate interests to support American’s operations. Ms. Olanipekun-Lewis also chaired the local airline consortium, PhiliTEC, at PHL which is responsible for conducting certain functions to support member airline’s operations.

Ms. Olanipekun-Lewis also served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) where she provided executive leadership over administrative functions, which included Marketing & Public Affairs, Business Diversity, Strategy, Community Engagement, and Government Affairs. She provided strategic organizational leadership and served as business partner and counselor to the CEO and key stakeholders. She also acted for the CEO during her absence.

Other prior experiences included serving as Chief Financial Officer for City of Philadelphia, City Council President, Darrell L. Clarke where she was responsible for providing a wide variety of financial and programmatic support to the seventeen member legislative body, including facilitating the annual review of the City of Philadelphia operating and capital budgets and five-year plan. She also provided executive project oversight on special projects covering a broad range of municipal activities, including a proposed divestiture of the city owned utility, Philadelphia Gas Works; and Aviation five-year capital enhancement program (CEP). Ms. Olanipekun-Lewis also served as City of Philadelphia Deputy Commerce Director for Finance and Administration where she managed daily operations including finance, contract and program monitoring, human resources, and information technology services; and developing and implementing a project management system for the city’s economic development agencies and commissions. She served as the Chief Financial Officer for the School District of Philadelphia where she oversaw a $1.9 billion budget. Prior to this, she was Director of Finance for the City of Birmingham, Alabama where she administered the City’s combined $580 million operating and capital budgets and served as treasurer to numerous city agencies and boards, including the city’s $900 million Retirement and Relief Pension System. Ms. Olanipekun-Lewis also was the City Treasurer for the City of Philadelphia where she oversaw the management and investment of about $2 billion of city cash reserves; and issuing bonds and other various financial instruments over $2 billion on behalf of the city and its related agencies and authorities.

Ms. Olanipekun-Lewis teaches a graduate level course, Critical Issues in Public Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, Fels School of Government, which considers contemporary issues affecting the fiscal state of local governments and the policies/initiatives that seek to address such including privatization/public private partnerships; municipal pension reform; and tax policies aimed at promoting economic growth.

Ms. Olanipekun-Lewis completed secondary school in Nigeria, West Africa; obtained an undergraduate degree in Economics from the Graduate Center, City University of New York, CUNY BA Program; a Juris Doctor degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law; and a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania, Fels School of Government.

Tom Rousakis is a Senior Managing Director and US Infrastructure Leader with Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC.

Tom has 25 years of experience in US infrastructure finance and is a recognized authority in infrastructure finance and the US public-private partnership market. Tom joined EYIA in 2013 after sixteen years in investment banking for Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs and prior work in local government. Tom has led transaction teams from inception through execution of debt and advisory assignments, developing rating agency, deal structure, procurement, and marketing strategies for over $25 billion in infrastructure projects for highway and transit agencies, as well as universities and state and local governments generally. Many of these have been pathfinding and high-profile P3s and project financings that have moved the market, shaped policies, and addressed community infrastructure challenges.

Tom Rousakis received his AB from Harvard College and his MPP from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The Honorable William C. Thompson, Jr., joined Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC in April 2010, having previously served eight years as the Comptroller of the City of New York. In November 2015, Mr. Thompson became an equity owner of the firm.

Mr. Thompson served two consecutive, four-year terms as Comptroller for the City of New York from 2002 until 2009. In that role, he led a team of 720 employees, managed a $66 million annual operating budget and was investment advisor to the Boards of Trustees of the five New York City Pension Funds, which served as one of the country’s largest pension funds. While serving as Comptroller, Mr. Thompson safeguarded a 100-billion-dollar portfolio and protected the assets and interests of millions of New Yorkers during one of the most challenging economic periods in history.

On June 15, 2016, Mr. Thompson was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York, one of the nation’s largest public higher education systems. Under his leadership, the Trustees passed a sweeping package of reforms of the university’s governance and administration policies, creating greater transparency and accountability and putting CUNY in the vanguard of reform efforts in higher education.

Mr. Thompson has served as Chairman of the Board of The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority, the Governor’s MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business) Task Force and chaired the New York State Housing Finance Agency/State of New York Mortgage Agency. Mr. Thompson currently serves as a board member of the SciPlay Corporation, the Fox Rehabilitation Board, and the Emigrant Bank Board. He also serves on the board of several non-profit organizations. He is a Trustee Emeritus of Tufts University.

A lifelong New York City resident and a product of its public schools, Mr. Thompson graduated from Tufts University. Mr. Thompson resides in Harlem with his wife.