RPA is excited to welcome eight new members to its board of directors. From higher education to government to tech and beyond, our new board members bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise that will help us move forward in our work to make our region a more sustainable, healthy and equitable place to live.
“RPA makes no small plans, and that’s just what we need today,” said Anthony Shorris. “I know of no other institution with RPA’s history of setting out impossible visions that ultimately come to fruition, and playing a role with the board and staff that defines those visions is an opportunity and an honor.”
Jose Luis Cruz, who is the president of Herbert H. Lehman College of The City of University of New York also looks forward to interacting with RPA’s members, partners and other stakeholders do work to ensure that the prosperity and sustainability of our region is driven by equitable policies and practices. “As president of an institution that has 50 years of experience as a top vehicle of upward mobility and a fierce advocate for social justice in The Bronx,” Cruz said, “I hope to contribute an important perspective on the role urban higher education can play in advancing our regional goals.”
Jennifer Skyler’s time at WeWork as their Chief Communications Officer has been focused on building, activating, and strengthening communities, and she is excited to share her knowledge to support RPA’s mission.
“I look forward to learning from other members of the Board and contributing to our next chapter,” she said. “This is the where my daughters and the next generation of current and future New Yorkers will grow. It is one of the world’s most amazing places and has the potential to shape how we work, live, and find success.”
Meet the new members of our Board of Directors.
Jose Luis Cruz, President, Herbert H. Lehman College of The City of University of New York
José Luis Cruz began his tenure as the third president of the Herbert H. Lehman College of The City University of New York on August 15, 2016. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading advocates for policies to expand opportunities and improve educational outcomes for all students – especially those who have historically been underserved – President Cruz is a frequent keynote speaker and writer on higher education issues. He has testified before the U.S. Congress, and his work has been widely covered by many news media outlet
Mike DeMarco, Chief Executive Officer, Mack-Cali
Michael J. DeMarco serves as chief executive officer of the Company. Mr. DeMarco is a veteran real estate investment professional with more than 30 years of industry experience. He joined Mack-Cali in 2015. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. was most recently the chief investment officer of CCRE, a non-bank finance company and one the largest originators of CMBS. Mr. DeMarco was also an executive vice president with Vornado Realty Trust. Prior to that Mr. DeMarco was a partner at Fortress Investment, overseeing a number of real estate operating companies that Fortress acquired. Additionally, he was a senior managing director with Lehman Brothers in the company’s real estate investment banking unit specializing in mergers and acquisitions, structured finance, and initial public offerings.
Kyle Kimball, Vice President of Government, Regional & Community Affairs, Consolidated Edison
Kyle Kimball is vice president of Government, Regional & Community Affairs for Consolidated Edison of New York. He directs the company’s government and community relations activities in New York City, Albany, and Washington, D.C. He manages the company’s relationships with policy makers at all levels of government, guides political and policy issues, and oversees lobbying efforts. Mr. Kimball joined Con Edison in June 2015.
Anthony Shorris, John L. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs Visiting Professor, Princeton University
Anthony E. Shorris, currently John L. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs Visiting Professor at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, most recently served as the First Deputy Mayor of New York City from 2014-2018 where he was responsible for the day to day work of New York’s 375,000 public employees and its $88 billion annual operating budget. He has consulted widely with public and non-profit organizations, represents the Mayor on the Board of the New York City Ballet, and is currently serving as Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company.
Jennifer Skyler, Chief Communications Officer, WeWork
Jennifer Skyler is WeWork’s Chief Communications Officer, leading global communications, government relations, public policy and social media. Skyler was WeWork’s first communications hire, building a team that currently operates across 17 countries and 60 cities spanning corporate communications, consumer communications, public policy, social impact and public affairs. Prior to joining WeWork in 2016, Skyler built Facebook’s consumer communications team from inception to a group of two dozen communications professionals and data scientists. She oversaw the announcements of key products and partnerships across news, sports, entertainment, and social good.
Reuben Teague, Director, Impact Investments, Prudential Financial, Inc.
Reuben Teague is a Director in the Impact Investments group in the Corporate Social Responsibility Department at Prudential. He is responsible for sourcing, underwriting and managing investments that meet Prudential’s social value criteria while providing risk-adjusted financial returns. Prudential Impact Investments manages a portfolio of more than $450 million in investments and typically originates between $150 million and $250 million in transactions annually. The group has a goal of reaching a $1 billion portfolio by 2020.
Travis Terry, Chief Operating Officer, Capalino+Company
Travis Terry serves as Chief Operating Officer for Capalino+Company, where he is responsible for overseeing the firm’s operations and strategic initiatives, as well as managing a number of the firm’s high-profile clients. As COO, Travis helped build Capalino+Company into the largest municipal lobbying firm in the United States. He has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars in public-sector funding for NYC-based nonprofits, gain project approvals for major land use projects, including the development of the former St. Vincent’s Hospital campus and the West Side Railyards, and worked with businesses seeking to expand, improve or launch in the City of New York.
Philippe Visser, Senior Vice President of Development for Hudson Yards, Related
Philippe Visser is President of Related Office Development where he leads the company’s expansive commercial office development efforts nationally. Mr. Visser joined Related in 2013 and led the successful execution of 30 Hudson Yards, a 2.6 million-square-foot, 1,296-foot-tall office tower and the future home to KKR, Wells Fargo, Time Warner Inc., DNB Bank and Related’s corporate offices. Prior to joining Related, Philippe served as Director, World Trade Center Redevelopment for the Port Authority of NY & NJ leading the $15 billion, 14 million-square-foot World Trade Center redevelopment.