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Dear ABNY Network:
It is with great excitement that I share the news that Melva M. Miller will become ABNY’s Chief Executive Officer.
As you know, Melva has been an integral part of our team since 2018, when she was hired to lead our efforts around the 2020 Census. Melva has proven herself to be an enthusiastic and effective leader, and one of our City’s foremost advocates. Her relationships and organizing zeal, along with her deep understanding of New York’s unique politics, have allowed ABNY to lead the way on increasing New York’s census count. Under her leadership, ABNY has partnered closely with our government leaders and worked with over 200 community-based organizations to raise awareness of and drive participation in the census during this critical time for our City and State.
Most recently, Melva conceptualized our Black Leadership in New York City discussions, a series of conversations with Black leaders across sectors about the obstacles and opportunities in communities most affected by the systemic racism in this country. Conversations like these are critical to ensuring a better New York for all New Yorkers, and ABNY is committed to leading by example.
Prior to working at ABNY, Melva served as the Deputy Borough President of Queens. She has been a passionate and dedicated community organizer since 1993. Her achievements include the creation of the Jamaica NOW Action Plan, a stakeholder-driven strategy to increase quality employment, economic diversity and financial security in downtown Jamaica, and she was also the lead organizer of the Western Queens Tech Strategic Plan, an initiative that produced a five-year blueprint for equitable growth of the Long Island City and Astoria tech ecosystem.
In addition, Melva has held several senior economic development roles throughout her career, including Director of Economic Development for her hometown borough of Queens, and Executive Director for the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District.
Melva officially starts her new role as Chief Executive Officer on Monday, August 24th.
I would like to extend a special thanks to Laura Colacurcio, who has served as our Acting Executive Director since January of this year. Thanks to Laura, our ABNY initiatives have continued to thrive without interruption, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Laura is an extraordinary member of the team and I’m thrilled that she will be staying on at ABNY as Vice President.
This is a pivotal moment for our country and our City – a moment of challenge, change, and – if we put in the work – a moment of opportunity. With Melva at the helm, ABNY will continue our legacy, build on our mission through stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and concrete action, and expand our network to reflect New York City’s diverse communities. Her leadership will help make New York a better place to live, work, and visit. I am thrilled you will all have the opportunity to get to know her even better than you already do and experience her passion, energy, and brilliance firsthand.
Yours for a Better New York,
Steven Rubenstein
Chairman
Read the Press Release here.
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