Launching the Greater NY Class of 2021

Greater NY matches partnerships year round, but every April there’s an official “launch” of the partnerships matched over the previous 12 months and celebration of the ones that have come to the end of their partnership term. The evening is a recognition of the vital and lasting relationships that develop in Greater NY.

As the new class was welcomed, partners in the class of 2021 reflected on what can be accomplished through Greater NY. Children’s Village President and CEO Jeremy Kohomban, and his Greater NY partner Debra Fine, founder and CEO of Fine Capital Partners, spoke about how much they challenged each other and the resulting successful RFP for Inwood Library Project where Children’s Village is part of the development team.

Kohomban said: “When I showed Deb the housing we had built in Harlem, an affordable housing project we were so proud of, she said she thought it was a ‘unicorn’ and its affordability couldn’t be replicated. This lit a fire under me. I was determined to prove the concept.”

“As I challenged my Greater NY partner to enlarge his scope, he challenged me too.”

The Inwood Library Project will be named The Eliza, in honor of Alexander Hamilton’s wife (an early supporter of Inwood Library), and will feature an even greater level of affordable housing, a Pre-K program and a redesigned Inwood Library.

Greater NY partner Debra Fine said: “I may have pushed Jeremy, but I learned so much from him. As I challenged him to enlarge his scope, he challenged me too.”

“This is a long-lasting relationship and I’m grateful for it.”

Alumni also attended the celebration. VERA Institute of Justice’s President and Director Nick Turner and Dinex Group’s Founder and Operating Partner Lili Lynton finished their official Greater NY work a year ago, but since then Lynton described that she had joined VERA groups to study successes in German prisons and maximum-security facilities. Turner said: “Lili has continued to be a staunch supporter of both the organization and me personally, and has made introductions to help position Vera for its next 50 years. This is a long-lasting relationship and I’m grateful for it.”

“Each of GFS’ important steps was possible because of relationships developed through Greater NY.”

Greater NY partner relationships are strong, but so are the ties between the organizations and Greater NY itself. The class of 2021 includes Ghetto Film School’s CEO Stosh Mintek matched with partner AJ Agarwal, senior managing director at Blackstone. This is the second time GFS has been partnered in Greater NY. Joe Hall, GNY ‘12, was the organization’s founder and president. Mintek said: “Greater NY has played a crucial role in shaping the future of GFS, including the development of Digital Bodega, GFS’ independent production company, and the organization’s expansion to Los Angeles. Each of the important steps in GFS’ life was possible because of relationships developed through Greater NY.”

For a full list of the class of 2021, click here.

Greater NY matches partnerships on a rolling basis and launches a new class every April