ebony young (moderator)

Deputy Queens Borough President

Ebony Young has spent over 20 years working in the Nonprofit sector as an Executive Leader at institutions like the Long Island City YMCA, TF Cornerstone, the Black Entrepreneur Initiative and the Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM). She’s also spent time in the private sector as a Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. She’s previously served on several Queens boards, task forces and advisory committees, serving youth, adults, seniors, athletes, artists and environmentalists in her local Queens community. Ebony received her Bachelor of Science in Communications-Rad/TV/Film from Indiana State University and is also a graduate of Indiana Tech where she received her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Ebony is also a motivational speaker and certified life coach. She resides in Woodside, Queens with her husband and three children.

rob basch

President of the Board, Hunters Point Parks Conservancy

Rob Basch was born in Forest Hills to a father who immigrated from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia in 1938 and a mother who was a second-generation Brooklynite. After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in marketing, Rob moved to Manhattan, and in 2009 relocated to Long Island City with his wife. In 2013, Rob began volunteering with the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy and was elected President of the Board in November 2014. In 2016, HPPC launched the first LIC Waterfront 5K and since then has added programming including movies, exercise classes, a 6-week Summer Kids program, and the Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center which offers kayaking and environmental education. Last year, Rob left his job of 28 years as Director of Purchasing at Publishers Clearinghouse, and now dedicates his time to volunteering and pursuing other passions - including continuing to help make LIC the ideal community where everyone wants to be.

wil fisher

Director of External Affairs, Rise Light & Power

Wil Fisher is Director of External Affairs at Rise Light & Power, where he builds and maintains momentum and key relationships around the company’s vision – Renewable Ravenswood – to redevelop New York City’s largest power plan as a hub for clean energy. His work includes the company’s on-the-ground community presence, economic and workforce development partnerships, and long-term site planning for the 27-acre industrial campus in Western Queens.

Before joining Rise Light & Power, Wil worked in New York City government, serving as Assistant Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), where he negotiated public approvals for $1 billion in real estate, community development, and capital construction projects. Notably, he directed public engagement efforts for Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency, a suite of capital projects and master plans that will protect New York’s densest neighborhoods from the impacts of climate change. Prior to work at NYCEDC, Wil spent four years working on Hurricane Sandy reconstruction efforts at the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery.

Wil holds an undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University in Political Science and Latin American Studies, and is an alum of New York City’s Urban Fellows program.

carolyn grossman Meagher

Director of Economic Development & Regional Planning, Department of City Planning

Carolyn Grossman Meagher leads the Economic Development & Regional Planning Division within New York City’s Planning Department, responsible for overseeing research and policy development on a wide range of planning issues in support of the sustainable and equitable economic development and growth of NYC. Current projects include leadership over the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity”, NYC’s comprehensive overhaul of NYC’s zoning rules to support small businesses and commercial corridors, and the creation of NYC’s first citywide Industrial plan.

Following a recommendation from the 2016 NYC long term strategic plan PlanYC, Carolyn inaugurated a Regional Planning function within NYC Planning, the first office of its kind in the United States. As part of this regional planning function, Carolyn oversees regional research and supports New York City’s engagement with governments across the metropolitan region on issues of shared planning priority including economic growth, housing affordability, regional mobility, food systems and supply chains.

Carolyn previously served as the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Department of City Planning, leading political outreach efforts for the city’s land use and rezoning initiatives. She has also worked in political and real estate development consulting in NYC, and holds a Masters in Urban Planning with distinction from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the New College of Florida.

Julie Won

Council Member, NYC Council District 26

Julie Won represents the 26th Council District in Western Queens covering the neighborhoods of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Astoria, and Woodside. She is the first woman and immigrant to represent this district. As a tenant and activist, Julie has committed to a new vision for her community with a deep focus on creating and preserving affordable housing, increasing access to city resources for all New Yorkers, ensuring access to quality and affordable internet, and many other issues that are top of mind for her constituents. At the age of eight, Julie immigrated to New York City with her family looking for a new beginning, an experience she shares with over half of the constituency she represents.