Panel 3
Bringing it All Together in New York City: Implementing Anti-displacement and Equitable Development Policies and Practices
2:30 - 3:15 pm
This panel will discuss the New York City context. Historically disinvested neighborhoods, many of which are communities of color, are experiencing an influx of higher income residents and threats of involuntary displacement of low-income residents due to rising rents and housing speculation. Rapid demographic changes are bringing about an erosion of the social and cultural fabric of these communities. Panelists will discuss current and proposed anti-displacement strategies in New York City aimed at fostering economic diversity and preserving the cultural character of New York City neighborhoods.
Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee (Moderator)
Michelle de la Uz has 25 years of experience in public and community service. As Executive Director of Fifth Avenue Committee, she oversees the organization's mission and programs serving 5,500+ low- and moderate-income people. Michelle was Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez’ first Director of Constituent Services, recipient of Ford Foundation’s Leadership for a Changing World award, and serves on the boards of LISC, NYHC, and ANHD. She was appointed in April 2012 by Bill de Blasio to the NYC Planning Commission and reappointed by Public Advocate Tish James in 2016. An alumna of Connecticut College, Columbia University, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Program, she lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter.
Karim Hutson, Founder and Managing Partner, Genesis Companies, LLC
In 2004, Karim Hutson founded Genesis Companies LLC, which is a boutique firm focused on quality mixed-use and mixed-income real estate development projects in urban communities. Before Genesis, Karim was an investment banker at Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. He earned his BA from Amherst College, MBA from Harvard Business School, and Master's Degree from Harvard Divinity School. A resident of Harlem, Karim serves as Treasurer of First Corinthian Baptist Church, member of the Executive Committee of NYSAFAH, Board Member of CHPC, and Trustee of Citizens Budget Commission. He is married to Luz Elenia and has two daughters.
Dina Levy, Director of Community Impact and Innovation, New York State Attorney General’s Office
Dina Levy is the Director of Community Impact and Innovation for New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. She works on an array of the office’s housing policy initiatives including spearheading the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP), facilitating joint efforts with the state’s land banks, and coordinating the joint Tenant Harassment Task Force, a collaboration of the NY Attorney General, the State Tenant Protection Unit, NYC Department of Buildings and NYC HPD. Before joining the Attorney General’s office in 2012, she was Director of Organizing and Policy for The Urban Homesteading Assistance Board for six years. She began her career as tenant organizer in Dallas, working for the preservation of affordable housing in HUD-subsidized programs.
Michelle Neugebauer, Executive Director, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation
Michelle Neugebauer is Executive Director of Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC). Since 1983, CHLDC has worked to make Brooklyn's Cypress Hills neighborhood a strong, vibrant community. Michelle was the first full-time employee of CHLDC, beginning in 1984. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development and of United Neighborhood Houses. Michelle earned a BA in Urban Studies from Barnard College and MS degrees in Social Work and Urban Planning from Columbia University.
Wendy Takahisa, Executive Director, CRA at Morgan Stanley
Wendy Takahisa is an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley’s Global Sustainable Finance Unit. She is responsible for helping to craft Morgan Stanley’s Community Reinvestment Act program, which responds to the needs of low- and moderate-income communities, such as the need for affordable housing and economic development. Before joining Morgan Stanley, she was CRA Director at the New York State Banking Department; prior to that, she spent twenty-three years at Citigroup. Wendy serves as the President of the Board of Asian Americans for Equality, a non-profit organization dedicated enriching the lives of Asian Americans and all of those who are in need. Wendy was a founding member of the New York Mortgage Coalition. She is a cum laude graduate of Harvard Radcliffe College.