Introducing nextLI's Community Advisory Board
October 10, 2018
The nextLI Community Advisory Board is made up of thought leaders across the region from a wide range of industries. The committee members are asked to use their unique expertise and experiences to help us identify the issues facing Long Island, to refine our research, to guide our deliberations and to spread nextLI’s mission to each of their networks. At our inaugural board meeting in 2018, the group opted to provide why they are participating in nextLI rather than traditional biographies, fitting with nextLI’s approach of looking toward the future.
Ayesha Alleyne, Executive Director, Wyandanch Homes & Property Dev. Corp.: nextLI provides an opportunity to collaborate with a diverse population all with a singular goal of improving the life of Long Islanders.
Matthew Aracich, President, Building Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk.
Kelley Coughlan, Senior Development Manager, TriTec: As a development company focused on revitalizing downtown communities, TRITEC believes the dissemination of accurate data-driven research is essential in helping to educate and inform elected officials and the community at large.
Ernest D’Ambrose, Northwell/Suffolk nextGen Council: I’ve joined nextLI because Long Island needs us as much as we need Long Island.
Ruth Douzinas-Smith, Environmental engineer, artist, and entrepreneur, partner of Trireme Consulting and a Board Member of the Rauch Foundation: I joined the nextLI advisory board to give back to a region I love and help bring the thinking behind the LI Index forward into its new incarnation.
Retha Fernandez, Project Director, Urban League: In telling the stories of Long Island, equity and representation matter.
Dave Kapell, Former Greenport Mayor: I am excited about the opportunity to bring my eclectic experience, gained over a lifetime in government, business and the arts, to my participation on the nextLI board.
Bob Keeler, Former Newsday reporter and editorial writer: What I hope is that nextLI can continue to develop powerful data, as the Long Island Index did, and add to the data some powerful advocacy and the ability to convene intelligent conversations about what Long island needs.
Yacov Shamash, Vice President of Development, Stony Brook University: The mission of Stony Brook’s economic development programs is to promote a healthy regional economy now and over the long term; nextLI will provide the candid and accurate data that Long Islanders need to figure out how to make life better for ourselves and our children and grandchildren.
John S. Nader, President, Farmingdale State College: The advisory board shapes the ideas and goals that will guide higher education in serving as an engine of opportunity for our youth and for Long Island’s future.
Thomas Rogers, Superintendent, Syosset School District.
