Mayor Adams Announces New Charter Revision Commission to Continue Important Work Tackling Generational Housing Crisis Impacting Working-Class New Yorkers

December 12, 2024

Former Deputy Mayor and Current Chief Executive Officer of Robin Hood,
Richard R. Buery, Jr., to Serve as Commission Chair

Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of YMCA of
Greater New York, to Serve as Commission Vice Chair

Leila Bozorg, New York City Executive Director of
Housing, to Serve as Commission Secretary

Additional Appointments Include Housing and City Planning Experts,
Civic and Faith Leaders, Community Members

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of a Charter Revision Commission (CRC) - under chair Richard R. Buery, Jr., CEO of Robin Hood - that will be tasked with reviewing the New York City Charter and determining how to make New York City's municipal government more transparent and responsive to the needs of city residents, especially when it comes to promoting fair housing across the five boroughs. Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, will serve as vice chair, and Leila Bozorg, New York City executive director of housing, will serve as secretary of the CRC.

The CRC will review the entire city charter to ensure that the city's municipal government works efficiently and remains responsive to all New Yorkers. More specifically, Mayor Adams has asked the CRC to focus on how the charter can combat the city's generational housing crisis, including a 1.4 percent rental vacancy rate. The new CRC follows the successful passage of Mayor Adams' "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity" proposal - the most pro-housing zoning proposal in New York City history - last week, which will enable the creation of 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years and invest $5 billion towards critical infrastructure, housing, and other needs. Recent polls have found that an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers supported City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.

"Our administration's housing goal is clear: deliver as much affordable housing to working-class New Yorkers and their families as we make our city more affordable - and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal, including a careful examination of the city's charter, to create and preserve affordable housing in our city," said Mayor Adams. "Even after the success of our 'City of Yes for Housing Opportunity' proposal that will help us create 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years and invest $5 billion towards critical infrastructure updates and housing, we know there is still more that we can and must do to tackle the cost of living in our city. Housing proposals and land use measures, and the negotiations that come with them, are complex and critical to ensuring our city remains affordable, which is why we've assembled this esteemed group of housing and affordability experts to explore how reforms of our city's charter can tackle the crisis we are facing. New Yorkers need housing, and we will do everything in our power to continue to deliver it to them."

"I am honored to be named chair of the New York City Charter Revision Commission by Mayor Eric Adams," said CRC Chair Richard R. Buery, Jr., CEO, Robin Hood. "Our city is in the midst of a profound affordability crisis. For millions of low-income New Yorkers, housing costs are the central struggle of their lives. For millions more, especially low-income New Yorkers, our housing crisis severely limits where New Yorkers can live, what schools they can attend, how they can get to work, and whether their families can stay together. Our task is to examine the charter to see how we can better meet this generational challenge."

"The New York City Charter shapes how the city operates and how we live and work together in community," said CRC Vice Chair Sharon Greenberger. "I am honored to be a part of the 2025 Charter Revision Commission focused on critical housing reforms and look forward to hearing from New Yorkers about how our charter can be improved to meet their needs."

"Fighting our city's ongoing affordable housing crisis and advancing fair housing is a moral imperative," said Commission Secretary Leila Bozorg. "I am honored to serve on this distinguished Commission and take a fresh look at how our charter can help address these challenges and others."

The members of the CRC are:

Richard R. Beury Jr. (Chair)
Richard Beury was born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn, the son of Panamanian American immigrants. He is the CEO of Robin Hood, one of the nation's leading anti-poverty organizations. Before joining Robin Hood, he led the Achievement First charter school network and managed policy and public affairs for the KIPP Foundation. As New York City deputy mayor for strategic policy initiatives, Buery was the architect of Pre-K for All, which guarantees a free, full-day pre-K seat to every four-year-old in the city, increasing enrollment by 50,000 in a year and half while leading and managing a range of city agencies and initiatives. Earlier in his career, he founded Groundwork to support the educational aspirations of public housing residents in Brooklyn and cofounded iMentor, which matches high school students with committed mentors to guide students on their journey to college graduation. He previously served as president and CEO of the Children's Aid Society, one of New York's oldest and largest child welfare agencies, where he founded the Children's Aid College Prep Charter School.

Sharon Greenberger (Vice Chair)
Sharon Greenberger is the 10^th president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, New York City's leading health and wellness nonprofit organization. Annually, the YMCA serves a diverse population of more than half a million children, adults, and seniors through programs and services that empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Under her leadership, the YMCA has focused on reimagining programs and services to meet communities' most pressing and ever-changing needs. Recent initiatives include expanding teen programming, addressing citywide aquatics safety, and providing greater access and assistance to all New Yorkers seeking to improve their personal health. Prior to joining the YMCA, Greenberger spent more than 20 years in the private and public sectors working to improve New Yorkers' health and livelihood and promote the development of New York City. She has served as senior vice president, facilities and real estate at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, chief operating officer of the New York City Public Schools, and president of the New York City School Construction Authority. Greenberger received her bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University and holds a master's degree in city planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Leila Bozorg (Secretary)
Leila Bozorg serves as the executive director of housing in the New York City Mayor's Office, where she oversees the city's housing agencies and strategies. She has extensive experience with affordable housing and land use policies, having served as a commissioner on the New York City Planning Commission from 2021 to 2023, and as a deputy commissioner for neighborhood strategies at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) from 2016 to 2020. In her role at HPD, she co-led the creation of the city's first comprehensive fair housing plan, "Where We Live NYC." She was also a chief of staff at HPD from 2014 to 2016, and before that worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2010 to 2014, helping develop and launch the Rental Assistance Demonstration. From 2020 to 2023, Bozorg worked as the chief of strategy and policy at New York City Kids RISE, where she helped facilitate the citywide expansion of the Save for College program to every New York City school district and public elementary school. She holds a B.A. in Government Studies from Wesleyan University and a master's degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Reverend A.R. Bernard
Reverend A.R. Bernard leads one of New York's largest houses of worship, Christian Cultural Center (CCC). With over 37,000 members, CCC is a rapidly growing church that embraces individuals from all walks of life. His practical approach, rooted in a traditional biblical perspective, offers guidance on world affairs, politics, pop culture, and family matters. Recognized as one of New York's 50 Most Powerful People in Brooklyn, "The Power Pastor" by The New York Times, and a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Consulate General of Israel, Rev. Bernard's influence extends through published works and media appearances on platforms such as Oprah's "Super Soul Sunday," ABC's "Good Morning America," and CNN.

Grace C. Bonilla
Grace Bonilla is president and CEO of United Way of New York City (UWNYC). Under her leadership, UWNYC has taken steps to drive lasting, systemic change to empower all New Yorkers with dignified access to tools and resources needed to thrive. Previously, she served as senior vice president for Latin America at Covenant House International (CHI), where her portfolio included services to homeless children in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua and tackling the root causes of homelessness. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020, Bonilla was appointed by former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve as the first executive director of the Task force on Racial Equity and Inclusion. Bonilla was also appointed by Mayor de Blasio, in February 2017, as administrator of the New York City Human Resources Administration. In this capacity, she was responsible for working alongside the commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services in leading the largest local social services agency in the country. Bonilla also served as the president and CEO of the Committee for Hispanic Children & Families, Inc. She received her B.A. in Political Science from St. John's University, and her JD from Brooklyn Law School.

Shams DaBaron
Shams DaBaron is a visionary leader, writer, and changemaker dedicated to redefining homelessness and housing solutions in New York City. Having experienced homelessness as a child after being discharged from the foster care system at age 12, DaBaron has emerged as a powerful voice for his community and beyond. He gained widespread recognition during the public debate over the Lucerne Hotel, a temporary shelter where he lived during the pandemic, and has since led efforts to tackle housing and homelessness across the city. Drawing from his lived experience, DaBaron collaborates with impacted individuals, elected officials, faith leaders, and other stakeholders to champion policies and services that uplift vulnerable New Yorkers. His vision is to create a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant New York City for all.

Anita Laremont
Anita Laremont is a partner at the law firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, where she practices in the areas of land use and real estate. Prior to joining Fried Frank, Laremont was the chair of the New York City Planning Commission and director of the New York City Department of City Planning, having previously served as its general counsel and executive director. At City Planning, Laremont was a principal architect of New York City's Mandatory Affordable Housing policy, and guided a number of significant neighborhood rezonings, including East New York, Greater East Midtown, and Soho Noho. She also served for many years as general counsel at the Empire State Development Corporation. She received her bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College and her JD from New York University School of Law.

Dr. Lisette Nieves
Dr. Lisette Nieves is the president of the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY) and a distinguished clinical professor at New York University. In her role at the FCNY, Dr. Nieves is responsible for leading innovation in policy, programs, practices, and technology to advance the functioning of government and nonprofit services in New York City and beyond. As a scholar, Dr. Nieves' research focuses on youth and the future of work. Prior to joining FCNY, she was the founding executive director of Year Up NYC and served in the Bloomberg administration as chief of staff at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development. She also served as a start-up staff member for AmeriCorps under the Clinton administration. Dr. Nieves holds a B.A. from Brooklyn College, a B.A./M.A. from the University of Oxford, an M.P.A. from Princeton University, and a doctorate with a distinction in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania. She has served as an Obama appointee on the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and was a Biden administration and U.S. Senate-confirmed board member of AmeriCorps and the U.S. Navy's Education for Seapower Advisory Board.

Julie Samuels
Julie Samuels is the president and CEO of Tech:NYC, an organization representing New York's fast-growing, entrepreneurial tech industry, which she founded in 2016. She is also a venture partner at Hangar. She previously served as executive director at Engine, a nation-wide nonprofit focused on technology entrepreneurship and advocacy, where she remains a member of the board. She has also worked at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), where she was a senior staff attorney and the Mark Cuban chair to Eliminate Stupid Patents. Before joining EFF, Samuels litigated intellectual property and entertainment cases. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Samuels spent time as a legislative assistant at the Media Coalition in New York, as an assistant editor at the National Journal in D.C., and she worked at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications in Champaign, IL. She serves on the Boards of Engine, NY Forever, Chamber of Progress, 5Boro, and the Internet Education Foundation, as well as on various advisory boards. Samuels earned her B.S. in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University.

Diane Savino
Diane Savino currently serves as senior advisor at City Hall with a focus on state and city legislative issues. She previously served as executive director of the 2024 Charter Revision Commission. Born and raised in Astoria, Queens, Savino began her career in public service as a caseworker for New York City's Child Welfare Administration, providing direct assistance to abused and neglected children. She is the former vice president of the Social Service Employees Union Local 371. In 2004, she was elected to represent New York's 23^rd State Senate District, which encompasses the North and East Shores of Staten Island and portions of Southern Brooklyn, including Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Gravesend, and Sunset Park. As state senator, Savino authored numerous laws protecting working-class New Yorkers, including the first in the nation Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights and the Wage Theft Prevention Act.

Carl Weisbrod
Carl Weisbrod is a senior advisor at HR&A Advisors. He has had a distinguished career guiding public agencies and leading public initiatives focused on revitalizing and developing New York City neighborhoods. From 1990 to 1994, he was the founding president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Starting in 1995, he was the founding president of the Alliance for Downtown New York, the nation's largest business improvement district, which was instrumental in transforming Lower Manhattan from a one-dimensional commercial district into a dynamic mixed-use business and residential neighborhood. From 2014 to 2017, Weisbrod served as chair of the New York City Planning Commission and director of the New York City Department of City Planning. Weisbrod has been a trustee at both the Ford Foundation and the Urban Land Institute, as well as a former board member of the New York state Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He currently serves on the boards of the Trust for Governors Island and at New York Public Radio. He is a graduate of Cornell University and New York University School of Law.

Valerie White
Valerie White currently serves as senior executive director of LISC NY, where she leads the expansion strategy to promote LISC NY's statewide efforts to create an economic and community development ecosystem that addresses deeply rooted systemic inequities. White has more than 30 years of experience across private, public, and non-profit sectors. Before joining LISC NY in April 2020, White was executive vice president at the New York state Empire State Development, as well as executive director of the New York state Division of Minority and Women's Business Development. Previously, she was vice president at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation and served as managing director at Standard & Poor's Global Ratings for over 17 years, leading the municipal finance structure securities and housing finance analytics business. In addition to her extensive professional experience, White maintains an active civic and community service agenda. She serves on the New York state Department of Financial Services Financial Innovation Advisory Board, and the City of New York Mayor's Minority & Women Business Enterprises Advisory Council. She is as an inaugural board member for Embrace Partners, an advisory board member for the Fordham Urban Law Center, and a director of the Fordham Law Alumni Association. White holds a Bachelor of Arts and a law degree from Fordham University, and a Master of Science and Certificate of Organization Development from The New School.

Kathryn Wylde
Kathryn Wylde is president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, a nonprofit organization whose members are global business leaders and the city's major employers. The Partnership is the primary liaison between business and local government, providing private-sector expertise and resources to public agencies and programs. Areas of focus include education, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, and economic opportunity. Prior to taking over as Partnership CEO in 2000, Wylde led the organization's citywide affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and business investment programs. She is an urban policy expert and a frequent spokesperson for the New York business community.

Mayor Adams also today proposed that the Commission appoint Alec Schierenbeck, general counsel to First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, to serve as its executive director.

"As our city celebrates its 400^th anniversary next year, it is fitting that we take stock of our city's charter and examine how it can be improved," said proposed Executive Director Schierenbeck. "I am grateful to Mayor Adams and First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer for their vision and boldness in tackling our housing crisis and for their confidence in my ability to serve the city in this role."

Alec Schierenbeck (Proposed Executive Director)
Alec Schierenbeck currently serves as general counsel to First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. He previously served as general counsel and senior advisor for planning to the deputy mayor for housing, economic development, & workforce. In these roles, Schierenbeck helped guide the administration's "City of Yes" initiatives to promote housing opportunity, carbon neutrality, and economic growth, as well as the city's successful advocacy in Albany to secure affordable housing tax incentives and new power to increase residential density. Prior to joining the Mayor's Office, Schierenbeck worked as a litigator in government and private practice, including advocacy on behalf of tenants and consumers in state and federal court. He also served as a law clerk on the U.S. Supreme Court to Justice Stephen Breyer, on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Schierenbeck is a graduate of Grinnell College, where he was named a Truman Scholar and a Mitchell Scholar, and Stanford Law School.

This is the second Charter Revision Commission appointed by Mayor Adams. In May 2024, Mayor Adams announced the creation of his administration's first Charter Revision Commission, focused on public safety and fiscal responsibility. After 12 hearings attended by more than 750 New Yorkers virtually and in-person across all five boroughs; testimony from more than 240 members of the public, including experts, elected officials, good government groups, and academics; and 2,300 written comments, the CRC approved five ballot proposals that were placed on the ballot for the November 2024 general election. Following a voter education campaign reminding New Yorkers to flip their ballots when voting, four proposals related to clean streets, public safety, fiscal responsibility, and capital planning were overwhelmingly approved by New York City voters.

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