Commission Members

Dennis M. Walcott, Chair

Dennis M. Walcott has served as president and CEO of Queens Public Library since 2016. Prior to that, Walcott served as the state-appointed monitor of the East Ramapo School District. In 2014, he was named an Honorary Distinguished Fellow at the University of the West Indies and he has been an adjunct professor at Fordham University’s graduate program, The Fordham Center for Nonprofit Leaders. Walcott previously served as chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. Prior to his appointment as chancellor, he served as deputy mayor for education and community development.

Hon. Marilyn D. Go

Marilyn D. Go served as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York from 1993 to 2019. She previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Civil Division of the Eastern District of New York from 1978 to 1982. She then joined the law firm Baden Kramer Huffman Brodsky & Go, where she became a partner in 1984. Go began her career as a clerk for Court of Common Pleas Judge William Marutani.

Maria Mateo, Esq.

Maria Mateo, Esq. is a solo practitioner based in Queens, New York. She founded her firm in 2011. Previously, Mateo worked at the Immigration Tenant Advocacy Project in 2010 and Sanctuary for Families in 2009. Before that, she worked in the Department of Domestic Violence at the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Prior, Mateo worked for the Presidency of the Dominican Republic as a bilingual attorney. She belongs to several organizations, including the Latino Lawyers Association.

Joshua Schneps

Joshua Schneps is the CEO and publisher of Schneps Media — a family-run business — which publishes dozens of local newspapers, magazines, and local websites in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Previously, Schneps was a sales representative with the Forum Courier, a Queens-based local newspaper publisher. He earned a B.S. from Indiana University.

Lisa Sorin

Lisa Sorin serves as president of the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Previously, Sorin was executive director of the Westchester Square District Management Association. Prior to that, she was head of LAS Consulting Services, Inc. Sorin holds a B.A. and an M.S. in Business Leadership from Concordia College.

Msgr. Kevin Sullivan

Monsignor Kevin Sullivan is executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. He previously served as chair of the 9/11 United Services Group, co-founded the Washington Heights-Inwood Coalition and the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, and served as co-chair of the Partnership for the homeless. Before that, Monsignor Sullivan was a parish priest at St. Elizabeth’s Church.

Kai-Ki Wong

Kai-Ki Wong is a career civil servant who, most recently, served as assistant chief plan examiner at the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Before that, he was a plan examiner for DOB. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Architecture from Ecole Speciale d’Architecture.

Maf Misbah Uddin

Maf Misbah Uddin from the Bronx currently serves as the Treasurer of District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, where he oversees all financial aspects of the council the treasurer’s office. In addition, he is President of Local 1407-New York City Accountants and Actuaries where he presides over meetings and serves as a member on all committees. He previously served as Actuary in the Office of the Actuary of the City of New York from 1988 to 2000, and Assistant Actuary of the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System.

Michael Schnall

Michael Schnall, a Staten Islander, currently serves as a government relations and community engagement consultant with non-profit organizations in New York City. He served as the Vice President of Government Relations for New York Road Runners, creating greater awareness of the non-profit's free youth and community programs throughout the city. Mike previously served as Staten Island Chief of Staff and Director of Government Relations for NYC Parks, where he secured money for the building and refurbishment of parks across the five boroughs, and drafted and got signed into law legislation that banned smoking in parks, and protected street trees. Mike is deeply committed to and has helped build non-profit organizations that support youth and community running in Staten Island. He earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and B.A from Binghamton University. In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his family and running, biking and exploring the Borough of Parks.

Kristen A. Johnson

Kristen A. Johnson is a pro bono counsel at Cooley LLP. She was formally an Assistant Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, litigating civil right cases in trial and appellate courts. Some of her notable representations include representing Black voters in Arkansas challenging the method of electing judges to state appellate courts under the Voting Rights Act, Black and Latina middle school girls in a lawsuit against a school district for unlawful strip searches and representing Black students in a desegregation case in Mississippi. She also led a lawsuit against the United State Department of Justice for its failure to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. She earned her J.D. from the UCLA School of Law, and was the first Black person elected to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the UCLA Law Review. She also earned an M.S. from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Yovan Samuel Collado

Yovan Samuel Collado is the Director of Community Relations Director for the Carpenter Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York. Previously, Collado was the Deputy Director of Housing Right Initiative, a national non-profit watchdog group that investigates real estate fraud, connects tenants to legal services, and promotes tenants' rights to fair and affordable housing. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from CUNY’s Lehman College. He is currently a J.D. candidate at CUNY School of Law.

Gregory W. Kirschenbaum

Gregory W. Kirschenbaum is an attorney from Arce Law Group, P.C. Phillips & Associates, PLLC. Previously, Kirschenbaum worked at the Major League Baseball Players Association and Manhattan Borough President's Office. He is a Member of Manhattan Community Board 8, earned a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, and a B.A. from the University of Delaware.

Marc Wurzel

Marc Wurzel is currently General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Grand Central Partnership. Wurzel previously served as Deputy Director of Communications at the New York State Department of Law. Prior to that, Wurzel served in the New York City Council, New York City Department of Finance and New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. Wurzel is a previous member of the 2002-2003 and 2012-2013 districting commissions. He holds a B.A. in Political Science/Public Policy from George Washington University and a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law.

Kevin John Hanratty

Kevin John Hanratty is Bank Compliance Consultant at BlackWatch Argus Consulting LLC. He previously served as a consultant on numerous projects and prior to that, served in the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services and the New York State Office of Homeland Security. Hanratty holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, a BBA in Accountancy from CUNY’s Baruch College and a B.A. in Political Science from CUNY’s Queens College.

Dr. Darrin K. Porcher

Dr. Darrin K. Porcher is an adjunct professor at Pace University School of Criminal Justice and Monroe College School of Criminal Justice. Prior to his career in academics, Dr. Porcher was in the New York Police Department for two decades, serving in the ranks of Police Officer, Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant. He previously served in the United States Air Force. Dr. Porcher holds a B.S. in Organizational Management from St. Joseph’s College, an MPA from Marist College, and a Doctorate degree in Education from Fordham University.