Our Staff

Office of the President

President and CEO

David Sandman

President and CEO

David Sandman

David Sandman

President and CEO

David Sandman

David Sandman, Ph.D., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth), a private foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. Since 2006, NYHealth has invested more than $187 million in initiatives to improve health care and the public health system in New York State. Equally important, the Foundation is committed to sharing the results and lessons of its grantmaking; informing policy and practice through timely, credible analysis and commentary; and serving as a convener of health care leaders and stakeholders throughout New York State.

Dr. Sandman was named President and CEO in 2016, after serving as NYHealth’s Senior Vice President. Previously, Dr. Sandman was appointed by the Governor of New York as Executive Director of the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century, also known as the “Berger Commission.” The Commission was a nonpartisan, broad-based panel charged with evaluating and reforming the State’s health care delivery and financing systems. It developed recommendations to reconfigure the supply of hospitals and nursing homes to best respond to community needs for high-quality, affordable, and accessible care.

After serving as Executive Director of the Berger Commission, Dr. Sandman became a Managing Director of Manatt Health Solutions, where he advised health care providers, foundations, payers, associations, government, and companies regarding development of new health care programs, services, and restructuring plans. Earlier, he was a Vice President at Harris Interactive, a global research and consulting firm. Prior to joining Harris Interactive, Dr. Sandman served as Assistant Vice President at the Commonwealth Fund, where he was responsible for projects related to health care coverage and access, health care in New York City, Medicare, and quality of care issues. He also served as a policy analyst with the City of New York Department of Health; at a number of community-based HIV/AIDS organizations; and as a researcher at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Sandman received his Bachelor of Arts degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from Haverford College, and his Master of Public Administration degree and Ph.D. from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. He is a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and a former board member of Callen-Lorde Community Health Center and Philanthropy New York.

Executive Assistant

Olivia Williams

Executive Assistant

Olivia Williams

Olivia Williams

Executive Assistant

Olivia Williams

As Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth), Olivia Williams is responsible for directly supporting the president and assisting in the facilitation and execution of administrative responsibilities for NYHealth. Her duties include coordinating meetings and travel arrangements; preparing correspondence and reports; maintaining schedules; and assisting with managing the executive office. Olivia also serves as liaison to the Board of Directors.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Olivia worked in the education industry for 10 years. She served as a high school teacher at Westfield Ninth Grade Center, Westfield High School, and Dekaney High School in Houston, Texas. She taught 9th–12th grade math to students in general education, special education, and the English as a Second Language (ESL) program, specializing in working with students with emotional disturbances.

Olivia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Houston, a teaching certificate from Texas Teachers, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University’s School of Public Affairs and Administration.

Program

Program Officer

Andrew Barrett

Program Officer

Andrew Barrett

Andrew Barrett

Program Officer

Andrew Barrett

As a Program Officer, Andrew Barrett supports NYHealth’s Healthy Food, Healthy Lives priority area, which works to create a more equitable food system that connects all New Yorkers with the food they need to thrive.

Throughout his career, Andrew has delivered and led programs in food education, food access, and agriculture in the U.S. and abroad. Prior to joining NYHealth, he served as the Food Ed Hub Director at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Teachers College, Columbia University. In that role, he facilitated the work of the Food Ed Coalition and led the development of programming, resources, and advocacy priorities for food and nutrition education partners in NYC and beyond. During his time in New York, Andrew has also worked as the Program Director for FoodCorps New York and Edible Schoolyard NYC, led school garden programming at NYC Parks GreenThumb, and served as a Craig Murphey Fellow with Hunger Free America.

Andrew holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Master of Science degrees in Horticulture and Agroecology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Program Assistant

Penelope Campos

Program Assistant

Penelope Campos

Penelope Campos

Program Assistant

Penelope Campos

As Program Assistant, Penelope Campos provides administrative support to the Vice President of Programs, as well as program support to the Primary Care and Special Projects Fund teams. She is responsible for assisting in grants management, grantee communications, event coordination, and research. She works closely with NYHealth staff to develop and design grant opportunities.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Penelope was a planning and coordination intern for the Human Services Coalition, an organization dedicated to enhancing the delivery of health and human services in Tompkins County. She supported leadership development programming, information and referral services, and outreach projects for the agency’s health planning council. Penelope also worked within education management as an intern for Public Preparatory Network, where she supported the talent and operations teams.

Penelope holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Cornell University.

Senior Program Officer

Derek Coy

Senior Program Officer

Derek Coy

Derek Coy

Senior Program Officer

Derek Coy

As Senior Program Officer, Derek Coy focuses on expanding veterans’ access to community-based services; leveraging federal and private funds to increase the dollars available to returning veterans in New York State; and serving as a thought leader, convener, and advocate to improve the health of returning veterans and their families.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Derek served as the development manager at The Doe Fund, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycles of recidivism and homelessness, where he revamped and modernized its fundraising efforts. Before that role, Derek was the annual fund officer at the American Civil Liberties Union, helping produce STAND, the organization’s bi-annual magazine, and its annual appeals. Derek has considerable experience working in the veteran space, and used his role as senior development associate at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to advocate for changes in our nation’s capital.

Derek received a Bachelor of Arts degree, Phi Alpha Theta, from the University of Houston Clear Lake, and a Master of Arts degree in Middle Eastern History from the City College of New York, where he focused on 20th century Iranian history. He is also a former Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, and served a yearlong deployment to Iraq’s Anbar Province in 2005.

Administrative Assistant

Blandine Etienne

Administrative Assistant

Blandine Etienne

Blandine Etienne

Administrative Assistant

Blandine Etienne

As Administrative Assistant, Blandine Etienne is responsible for supporting NYHealth’s team of program officers. Her duties include coordinating travel arrangements; assisting with meeting and event planning; tracking expenses and submitting expense reports; and providing general administrative assistance.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Blandine has used her customer service and administrative skills in the telecommunications, allied health, and publishing industries.

Blandine has an Associate’s degree in Biology from Kingsborough Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Cornell University.

Program Officer

Ali Foti

Program Officer

Ali Foti

Ali Foti

Program Officer

Ali Foti

As a Program Officer at the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth), Ali Foti leads NYHealth’s priority area of primary care, which aims to expand primary care access and capacity, strengthen the primary care workforce, and advance racial health equity.

Ali is a public health practitioner with diverse experience in health philanthropy, consumer advocacy, and health care provider education. Prior to joining NYHealth, Ali was a program officer with the Mt. Sinai Health Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. Ali formulated Mt. Sinai’s strategic grantmaking strategies in maternal and child health, early childhood mental health, and Medicaid financing of population health initiatives. Previously, Ali worked with the Institute for Patient-Centered Initiatives and Health Equity at the George Washington University Cancer Center, where she designed clinician trainings on equitable and patient-centered approaches to cancer treatment and research. At the National Partnership for Women & Families, she coordinated federal government relations on behalf of a national coalition of consumer advocates striving to increase consumer access to their health information and incorporate consumer voices into health care payment and delivery system reform.

Ali holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Vice President of Programs

Avital Havusha

Vice President of Programs

Avital Havusha

Avital Havusha

Vice President of Programs

Avital Havusha

As Vice President of Programs at the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth), Avital Havusha, M.P.H., oversees and develops the Foundation’s programs and priority areas, Healthy Food, Healthy Lives and Primary Care, as well as its Special Projects Fund and focus on Veterans’ Health. Avital plays a leadership role in developing and implementing the Foundation’s goals and strategies and in ensuring quality and accountability of its grantmaking. She promotes synergy across all of the Foundation’s grantmaking, contributes to the Foundation’s proactive policy agenda, and builds partnerships with other foundations and stakeholders.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Avital held a number of leadership roles in the public health and health care sectors in New York State. At the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC), Avital oversaw operations, strategy, project execution, and business development for PCDC’s capacity-building and technical assistance programs, supporting primary care practices to provide patient-centered and coordinated care. At Public Health Solutions, Avital oversaw and managed large-scale health and human service programs in the areas of food and nutrition, reproductive health care, maternal and child health, and health care access. Earlier, at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, she played a lead role in coordinating the department’s response to federal and State health care reform and was a member of the leadership team that developed the Take Care New York policy agenda. Avital has also held roles at Yale University’s School of Public Health and at an anti-hunger organization in Massachusetts.

Avital holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Public Health degree from Yale University, with a concentration in health policy and administration.

Senior Program Officer

Julia McCarthy

Senior Program Officer

Julia McCarthy

Julia McCarthy

Senior Program Officer

Julia McCarthy

As Senior Program Officer, Julia McCarthy helps lead NYHealth’s Healthy Food, Healthy Lives priority area, the goal of which is to create a more equitable food system that connects all New Yorkers with the food they need to thrive.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Julia served as the deputy director of the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Teachers College of Columbia University, where she oversaw operations, strategy, and project execution. Julia also held policy roles at the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law, where she was a Root-Tilden-Kern scholar. She has served on the advisory committee on public policy for the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior and on the food retail advisory board for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Program Officer

Sophia Silao

Program Officer

Sophia Silao

Sophia Silao

Program Officer

Sophia Silao

As Program Officer, Sophia Silao manages the New York Health Foundation’s (NYHealth’s) Special Projects Fund, a funding portfolio that allows NYHealth to respond to shifts in the health care environment, especially to innovative ideas that emerge from the health field.

Sophia has broad experience in philanthropy, nonprofit capacity building, and health care administration. Prior to joining NYHealth, Sophia was administrative director of the oncology service line, and later for pediatrics, at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. She led teams to optimize clinical care coordination, expand patient engagement initiatives, and develop growth strategies and key performance indicators. Sophia was also manager of its grants program, helping to launch several hospital projects, including outpatient antibiotic stewardship, clinician trainings in advance care planning, and pediatric primary care screenings for social determinants of health. Sophia was associate director for Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy and program officer for New York Women’s Foundation and North Star Fund. Her portfolios included workforce development, gender-based health and safety, youth programming, and community organizing.

Sophia holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Binghamton University and a Master of Public Administration degree from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service. She co-chaired the NY Chapter of Asian Americans Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy.

Special Projects Fund Intern

Vivian Tam

Special Projects Fund Intern

Vivian Tam

Vivian Tam

Special Projects Fund Intern

Vivian Tam

As the Special Projects Fund intern, Vivian Tam works closely with program staff on the Special Projects Fund, a funding portfolio that allows NYHealth to respond to innovative ideas that emerge from the health field. Vivian provides administrative and programmatic support to the Special Projects Fund team as it responds to shifts in the health care environment.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Vivian served as a policy intern for the Primary Care Development Corporation, where she researched key primary care issues and trends and developed materials for New York State advocacy efforts. Previously, she managed activities for patient, regulatory, and scientific communications campaigns at GCI Health and held roles at the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center and at community-based organizations in Boston.

Vivian holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Community Health and American Studies from Tufts University. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, with a concentration in health policy and management.

Senior Program Assistant

Liz Ward

Senior Program Assistant

Liz Ward

Liz Ward

Senior Program Assistant

Liz Ward

As Senior Program Assistant, Liz Ward supports the Healthy Food, Healthy Lives and Veterans’ Health program areas. She assists program staff and senior management with grants management, grantee communications, event coordination, and programmatic research. She works closely with program staff to help design and develop grant opportunities.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Liz was an executive assistant for a woman-owned, New York City-based lobbying firm, responsible for event coordination, communications, public relations, and general administration. She also worked in Boston as a paralegal for the Consumer Assistance Program at Health Law Advocates and as a development intern at Health Care for All. She also interned for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach and Enrollment Program at the Western MA Food Bank, where she assisted people with their SNAP benefits applications and helped organize community outreach events.

Liz holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and a certificate in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree, concentrating in Urban Development and Sustainability, at CUNY Baruch’s Marxe School of Public and International Affairs.

Policy and Research

Policy and Research Associate

Emilia Cobbs

Policy and Research Associate

Emilia Cobbs

Emilia Cobbs

Policy and Research Associate

Emilia Cobbs

As Policy and Research Associate, Emilia Cobbs works with the Policy and Research team to advance the Foundation’s internal analytic capabilities. Emilia works with the program and communications staff, conducting research and analysis to proactively inform the Foundation’s policy agenda and contribute to internal and external NYHealth publications.

Prior to NYHealth, she concentrated in social and urban policy in graduate school, with a focus on the social determinants of health. Her graduate capstone project focused on transforming two of Boston’s largest emergency homeless shelters, with policy recommendations informed by shelter guests and staff.

Before graduate school, Emilia served as the interim research coordinator for the Food and Microbiome Longitudinal Investigation (FAMiLI), a large-cohort epidemiology study at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine. She supported the research work of understanding long-term health outcomes and inequities among different populations. Prior to becoming coordinator, Emilia served as a project assistant for FAMiLI, enrolling participants and collecting data.

Born and raised in New York City, Emilia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Haverford College and Master of Public Policy degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Director of Policy and Research

Mary Ford

Director of Policy and Research

Mary Ford

Mary Ford

Director of Policy and Research

Mary Ford

As Director of Policy and Research at the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth), Mary Ford, M.S., works in close partnership with the Foundation staff to develop the evidence-base for a proactive policy agenda that advances and magnifies outcomes in the Foundation’s key programmatic areas of Healthy Food, Healthy Lives; Primary Care; and Veterans’ Health.

Mary joins NYHealth after more than a dozen years leading health care research and evaluation work that has advanced policy, programs, and health equity. Most recently, Mary was the Director of Evaluation and Analytics at the Primary Care Development Corporation, where she built a new research capacity examining primary care access that used this evidence to support advocacy and policy at State and local levels. Additionally, she partnered with staff across the organization to implement organizational impact and program-specific evaluation efforts.

Previously, Mary has held leadership roles at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, including the evaluation of a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Care Innovation Award and a collaboration with two large health care systems and Medicaid managed care organizations on a value-based payment model for an evidence-adapted hepatitis C care coordination program. Prior to that, she managed and expanded outcomes evaluation for a diverse portfolio of health grantees, simultaneously conducting community-based research to inform grantmaking strategies, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities in Houston, Texas.

Mary holds a Master of Science degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Texas Health Science Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Policy Studies from Rice University.

Communications

Vice President of Communications

Maureen Cozine

Vice President of Communications

Maureen Cozine

Maureen Cozine

Vice President of Communications

Maureen Cozine

As Vice President of Communications, Maureen Cozine oversees all communications activities for the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth). She is responsible for developing the overall communications strategy to advance NYHealth’s mission to improve the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. The Foundation’s key communications priorities include sharing the results and lessons of the Foundation’s grantmaking; developing and disseminating timely, credible analyses of and commentary on pressing policy issues; and serving as a convener of health care leaders and stakeholders throughout New York State.

Prior to joining NYHealth in 2010, Maureen held a number of positions at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), most recently as senior communications officer and director of policy connections. In that role, she managed RWJF’s relationships with federal policymakers and worked with grantees to communicate effectively and build relationships with elected officials, the media, and other key audiences.

Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Colgate University and a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Communications Intern

William Pan

Communications Intern

William Pan

William Pan

Communications Intern

William Pan

As the Public Health Communications Intern, William Pan works to support the Foundation’s marketing and communications initiatives. He helps the communications department in maintaining the Foundation’s website and editing NYHealth written materials, publications, grantee profiles, and grant outcome reports.

Prior to joining NYHealth, William volunteered at the Emotional PPE Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce barriers medical staff face when accessing mental health care, and he continues to volunteer there today. Additionally, he is currently a Health Communication Coordinator at Columbia Health, a team dedicated to advancing the wellbeing of the Columbia University community, as well as the personal and academic development of students.

William holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Global Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree in the department of Health Policy and Management, with a certificate in Health Communication, at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. He is an avid runner and often spends his free time running along the West Side Highway in New York City.

Communications Officer

Arica VanBoxtel

Communications Officer

Arica VanBoxtel

Arica VanBoxtel

Communications Officer

Arica VanBoxtel

As Communications Officer, Arica designs and executes strategic communications strategies that advance NYHealth’s efforts to improve the health of all New Yorkers. Serving as a strategic thought partner to the Foundation’s program staff, policy experts, and researchers, Arica develops timely content and information to support NYHealth’s mission and grantees. She is primarily responsible for managing NYHealth’s media outreach and digital efforts.

With more than a decade of experience in thought leadership communications, press, and digital strategy, Arica previously held positions at the Central Park Conservancy, The Aspen Institute, and Georgetown University. She also managed communications for a number of high-profile events including the Aspen Ideas Festival and New Orleans Book Festival. In 2020, she supported communications efforts for the Biden for President coordinated campaign’s final push in Wisconsin.

Arica holds a Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University where she majored in Communications and minored in Business Administration and Spanish. She is an avid park lover and will gladly share recommendations for her favorite hiking and nature walks in New York State.

Finance, Operations, and Investment

Grants Assistant

Delali Ayivor

Grants Assistant

Delali Ayivor

Delali Ayivor

Grants Assistant

Delali Ayivor

As Grants Assistant, Delali Ayivor provides the Grants Manager with administrative support for NYHealth’s grants management processes and assists program and finance staff in all grants-related activities. In this role, she creates and monitors reporting schedules, deadlines, and requirements. She also serves as a primary point-of-contact for grantee organizations and applicants.

Prior to her role at NYHealth, Delali was a development coordinator at the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, where she assisted the fundraising team in crafting appeal campaigns, managed professional development opportunities for alumni of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and developed qualitative research methods to better understand and serve the Alliance’s donors and constituents.

Delali holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

Vice President of Finance and Operations

Amy Driver

Vice President of Finance and Operations

Amy Driver

Amy Driver

Vice President of Finance and Operations

Amy Driver

As Vice President of Finance and Operations, Amy Driver oversees finance and operations activities for the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth). She is responsible for implementing policies and procedures that promote good stewardship of the Foundation’s resources. Amy oversees accounting, human resources, grants management, and facilities. She is responsible for the annual audit and tax returns. Amy’s priorities are to ensure that NYHealth is an excellent workplace, that its operations are efficient, and that its legal and financial compliance requirements are met.

Amy has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience in finance, administration, fundraising, and public affairs. She joined NYHealth after 10 years in finance and administration for Children’s Rights, an advocacy organization working to reform the child welfare system nationwide.

Amy received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Area Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Senior Grants Manager

Lynn Fitzgerald-Tahsir

Senior Grants Manager

Lynn Fitzgerald-Tahsir

Lynn Fitzgerald-Tahsir

Senior Grants Manager

Lynn Fitzgerald-Tahsir

As Senior Grants Manager, Lynn Fitzgerald-Tahsir is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and documenting systems and procedures that facilitate the execution of the Foundation’s grantmaking. In addition, she is responsible for NYHealth’s grants management information data systems administration. Lynn oversees the overall success of the database environment by implementing strategic solutions to continuously enhance NYHealth processes.

Lynn has more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including direct services with homeless families and program management for the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Financial Empowerment. She also served as the Assistant Manager of Programs and Evaluation for Community Education Group, an organization working to promote health equity in Southeast Washington, D.C.  Most recently, Lynn served as the Director of Grants Management and Operations at The New York Women’s Foundation.

Lynn has a Master of Public Administration degree from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from The City University of New York, Lehman College.

Office Manager

Antonette Maysonet

Office Manager

Antonette Maysonet

Antonette Maysonet

Office Manager

Antonette Maysonet

As Office Manager, Antonette Maysonet is responsible for ensuring the office functions efficiently and that the environment is welcoming for staff and visitors. She assists the VP of Finance and Operations in all administrative aspects of the office, as well as general operations, including office services, reception, facilities, and technology support.

Antonette joined NYHealth with more than 25 years of administrative experience in the advertising industry, where she honed her skills as office manager acting as liaison for office operations, human resources, and information technology. Her previous administrative roles were receptionist, staff assistant, and executive assistant. She also managed print trafficking for luxury European designer fragrance advertisements in newspapers and magazines.

Antonette served eight years as a medical specialist with the U.S. Army Reserves. She holds an Associate Degree in Digital Media Arts and a Certificate in Foundations of Assisting in Home Care.

Finance Associate

Lamont Morales

Finance Associate

Lamont Morales

Lamont Morales

Finance Associate

Lamont Morales

As Finance Associate, Lamont Morales is responsible for paying bills and grants promptly, keeping accurate records in the accounting system, reconciling accounts, and supporting the annual audit for the Foundation. Reporting to the Vice President, Finance and Operations, he works closely with the grants management and operations teams, as well as supports the entire staff in financial procedures.

Prior to joining NYHealth, Lamont was the Associate Director of Finance and Human Resources at ArtsConnection, a nonprofit that brings arts programming to children throughout the five boroughs in New York City public schools. At ArtsConnection, he handled a variety of responsibilities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, credit card transactions, billing, and audit preparedness. His human resources duties included benefits administration, onboarding, payroll, and other HR-related issues.

Lamont is a Notary Public and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy with a minor in Psychology from the Graduate Center, City University of New York Baccalaureate Program.

Chief Investment Officer

Nick Smirensky

Chief Investment Officer

Nick Smirensky

Nick Smirensky

Chief Investment Officer

Nick Smirensky

As Chief Investment Officer, Nick Smirensky is responsible for managing the New York Health Foundation’s (NYHealth’s) investment portfolio and developing its investment strategy. He works with the Foundation’s Investment Committee to develop asset allocation policy, selects investment vehicles, and evaluates performance.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Nick was deputy chief investment officer and director of alternative investments with the $155 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund. He was director of New York’s College Savings Program and director of budget and financial analysis at the New York State Comptroller’s Office prior to joining the Common Retirement Fund.

Nick holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College, and a Master of Arts degree from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Columbia University. Nick is a trustee and a member of the Investment Committee of the New York State Teachers Retirement System and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Administration at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Administration. He is also a member of the board of directors of the National Health Law Program.

Our Board

NYHealth is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, with one-third (respectively) appointed by the State Governor, the President of the State Senate, and the State Assembly Leader. The Board members serve three-year renewable terms. While all Board members participate actively in the governance and guidance of the Foundation, three—Courtney Burke, Ellen Rautenberg, and Robert G. Smith—are voting members.

Ellen Rautenberg (Chair)

President and CEO (Retired)

Public Health Solutions

Courtney Burke

Senior Fellow for Health Policy

Rockefeller Institute of Government

Kenyani Davis, M.D., M.P.H.

Chief Medical Officer

Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc.

Michelle A. Koury, M.D.

Physician

Crystal Run Healthcare

Francis J. McDonough

Managing Partner

Lightower Capital

Kathleen Preston

Vice President, Government Programs

New York Health Plan Association

Robert G. Smith, Ph.D.

Founder and Chief Investment Officer

Smith Affiliated Capital Corp.

Community Advisory Committee

The Community Advisory Committee serves to broaden community input and perspectives on the development and implementation of activities related to NYHealth’s strategic priorities. Committee members inform the Foundation’s strategies and plans, serve as a source of local expertise and connections in communities throughout New York State, inform the Foundation of organizations that could be productive grantees and partners, and increases the visibility of the Foundation throughout the State. The Committee reflects New York State’s rich diversity in terms of geography, race and ethnicity, and areas of expertise.

Lisa Alford

Chief Executive Officer

ACR Health

Felicia Beard

Associate Vice President, Racial Equity Initiatives

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Linda Beers

Public Health Director

Essex County Public Health

Chuck Bell

Programs Director

Consumers Union

Lauren Bruckner

Chief Medical Information Officer

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Arthur Lee Butler

Executive Director

Schenectady County Human Rights Commission

Kate Ebersole

Principal

KEE Concepts Consulting

Anne Erickson

President & CEO

Empire Justice Center

Adrian Fassett

President & CEO

Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc.

Chris Flaherty

President & CEO

Clear Path for Veterans

Michael Mendoza, M.D., M.P.H.

Commissioner, Department of Public Health

Monroe County, NY

Claire Parde

Executive Director

Healthcare Consortium

Amanda Parsons, M.B.A., M.D.

Vice President, Clinical Services

Healthfirst

Sarah Ravenhall, M.H.A.

Executive Director

New York State Association of County Health Officials

Rebecca Sanin, J.D., M.A.

President & CEO

Health and Welfare Council of Long Island

Emma K. Tsui, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Assistant Professor

CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy

Bridget Walsh

Senior Policy Analyst

Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy

Kimberly A. Williams, L.M.S.W.

President & CEO

Vibrant Emotional Health

Jo-Ann Yoo

Executive Director

Asian American Federation