David Rockefeller Fellows
Providing business leaders with a unique opportunity to better understand New York City and take a more active role in shaping the city’s future.
Program Objectives
Since 1988, the David Rockefeller Fellows Program has been preparing senior corporate executives for more active leadership in civic and public affairs, following the model of the Partnership’s founding chairman:
- Enhance business and civic leadership skills
- Facilitate access to the knowledge and networks necessary to forge effective public-private partnerships
- Establish relationships between leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors
- Develop an alumni network that will support the Partnership’s policy and program objectives
Fellowship Experience
During the 12-month program, fellows meet with leaders in the public and private sectors through a series of meetings, site visits and tours that are held two to three times per month.
Public Sector Leaders
Meet with key government officials and heads of important nonprofit institutions to learn about their work and the issues they are dealing with. Participants gain a new appreciation for the complexity and challenges of managing public agencies. They hear about issues from many perspectives—legislators, labor leaders, journalists, civic activists and academics.
Private Sector Leaders
Meet in intimate settings with global business leaders, who share their insights on industry trends, management practices, and the value of civic engagement.
Attend Site Visits
Gain a first-hand view of the city’s nerve centers, including the Command Centers of the NYC Police Department, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Con Edison. There are insider tours of the World Trade Center; Rikers Island Correctional Facility; public high schools and charter schools; Manhattan Family Court; and several arts and cultural institutions.
Current Fellows Class (2019-2020)
Cara Berkowitz
Vice President, Government Relations & Policy
EmblemHealth Services
Toby Dodd
President, New York Tri-State
Cushman & Wakefield
Adrienne Filipov
Chief Human Resources Officer
Warburg Pincus LLC
Harris Fischman
Partner
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Linda Forish
Chief Operating Officer
Paulson & Co.
Ashley S. Gregory
Partner
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Emily D. Johnson
Partner
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
David Kestnbaum
Managing Director
Blackstone
Matthew Ketschke
Senior Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions
Consolidated Edison
Joshua King
Chief Communications Officer
Intercontinental Exchange
Justin Lambert
Chief Operating Officer
Nomad Health
Nirel Levi
Partner
32 Ventures
Doreen Lilienfeld
Partner
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Sam Mandel
Senior Vice President
Betaworks
Sarah McAvoy
Executive Vice President and Treasurer
CIT Group Inc.
Heather L. Nesle
President, New York Life Foundation
and Vice President, New York Life Insurance
Andrea Newborn
Executive Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary, ABM Industries Inc.
Maeve O’Connor
Partner
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Daniel Osnoss
Senior Managing Director
Centerbridge Partners
Jeanny Pak
Managing Director
UBS
Michelle Sartain
FINPRO Practice Leader, US/Canada
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
Brad Silver
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Deborah Snyder
Managing Director, New York Metro
Accenture
Jennifer Strybel
Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
HSBC Bank USA
Alicia Tillman
Global Chief Marketing Officer
SAP
Dina Traugot
Vice President, Group General Counsel
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Heather Ziegler
Stamford Managing Partner
Deloitte