Today the Partnership for New York City announced the 2026 class of David Rockefeller Fellows, an immersive one-year program during which business executives learn how decisions are made, services are delivered, and power is exercised in the nation’s largest and most complex city.  The program was established as a tribute to the late David Rockefeller, the founder of the Partnership, who inspired generations of business leaders to become engaged in civic life.  

The 2026 class includes 32 senior executives from diverse industries. Since its inception in 1989, the program has engaged more than 600 executives, who meet with elected officials, commissioners of government agencies, heads of nonprofit institutions, and public policy experts to learn about their work and the unique dynamics that define New York City. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome this year’s cohort of civic-minded business leaders who are committing to New York City’s future,” said Steven Fulop, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City. “Named for David Rockefeller, the Partnership’s founder, this experience gives executives a front-row seat to the challenges and opportunities facing the city and equips them to be part of the solutions. These individuals exemplify the high caliber and diversity of leadership that we rely on to help shape New York’s success, and we look forward to supporting their engagement in civic life.” 

The 2026 class includes: 

• Travis Baird, Executive Director, Foundation, Maverick Capital 

• Lisa Bebchick, Partner, Ropes & Gray LLP 

• Martin Bell, Partner, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP 

• Oliver Boyle, Head of Strategy, Lafayette 148 New York 

• Clark Briffel, Managing Director, Fisher Brothers 

• Maggie Carter, Head of Internal Audit, Equitable 

• Cindy Cohen, Principal, KPMG LLP 

• Ryan Cowles, Managing Director, Head of Fund Accounting & Operations, Warburg Pincus LLC 

• Monica Curtis, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Head of Government Relations, MetLife, Inc. 

• Suzanne Gauron, Managing Director, Head of Growth Equity Capital Solutions, General Atlantic 

• Kal Goldberg, Partner, Co-Lead, NA Transactions and Financial Communications Practice, FGS Global 

• Lindsay Havern, Senior Vice President, Executive Operations, Chief of Staff and Counsel to Chairman & CEO, Pfizer Inc. 

• John Izzett, Senior Managing Director and New York Metro Office Managing Director, Accenture 

• Molly John, Partner, EY 

• Georgina Lalli, Senior Associate Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC 

• Alexandra Linden, Chief of Staff, Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP 

• David Lippin, Partner & Head of Investor Relations, One Equity Partners 

• Daniel Luks, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 

• Christopher McConnachie, CFO, NY, National Grid 

• Patricia Miller Zollar, Managing Director, Neuberger Berman 

• Frank Monterisi, Jr., Executive Vice President, The Related Companies, L.P. 

• Nakul Nayyar, Head of Financial and Model Risk, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America 

• Claudia Newman-Martin, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group 

• Gerold Niggemann, Partner, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP 

• Andrew Nightingale, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP 

• Melissa Phillips, Regional Vice President, The Travelers Companies, Inc. 

• Pavan Rangachar, Director, KKR 

• Seth Rosenbloom, General Counsel, Betterment Holdings, Inc. 

• Allison Sletteland, Regional Executive, North America, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd 

• Kerone Vatel, Head of Community Finance, Impact & Investment, Capital One 

• Brad Wayman, Head of Retail Services and Connected Commerce, Citi 

• Kathryn Whalen, Senior Vice President, Head of Small Business Sales & Partnerships for Merchant, Fiserv 

Testimonials from the class of 2025: 

“For many years, I’ve seen how the Partnership for New York City brings together leaders across business, government, labor, and nonprofits to address the city’s most pressing challenges,” said Roger Arrieux, Jr., East Region Market Leader & New York Managing Partner at Deloitte and 2025 Fellow. “The David Rockefeller Fellows program encourages participants to look beyond their institutions and advance practical, measurable solutions that strengthen neighborhoods, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life across all five boroughs. The experience deepens a lasting commitment to leadership, civic engagement, and New York City’s future.” 

“The Fellowship offered a rare vantage point into how city agencies, nonprofits, and government-adjacent organizations operate—and the critical role the private sector plays in New York City’s vitality,” said Rachel Casanova, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield and 2025 Fellow. “It challenged senior leaders to see the city with fresh perspective, deepening our understanding of the forces that shape its success. That renewed curiosity is what we carry forward into our work and ongoing commitment to New York City.”