April is a co-founder and partner with designing the WE, a for-benefit design studio positioned within the fields of social innovation and community driven social, cultural and economic development. She has over 15 years of experience in strategically designing, developing and launching for-profit, non-profit and government projects. 

Deborah was recently appointed Executive Director of the Van Alen Institute. She currently serves as Executive Director of the New York Restoration Project, where she manages NYRP’s work transforming open space in underserved communities to create a greener, more sustainable New York City. She previously served as Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space. 

Jamie is Director of Landscape at BIG NYC. Her award-winning portfolio has given her a deep understanding of the critical role of the public realm in the shaping of cities and demonstrates her capacity to execute long-term projects of design quality at every scale. Previously, she was a Partner at West 8’s New York office and led the firm’s US portfolio, including Governors Island Park.

Daniel is Executive Director of the Urban Design Forum, an independent membership organization that convenes leaders in urban planning, design and development to debate the defining issues facing New York City. In recent years, he has led inquires into economic development in New York City, the advent of new mobility technologies and the redevelopment of public housing.

Hilary is co-founder and principal of MOS Architects, an internationally recognized architectural practice. She also serves as Associate Professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. She is the author of Maintenance Architecture, published by MIT Press in December 2016.