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Stephen B. Siegel

Chairman of the Board
Stephen B. Siegel is the Chairman of Global Brokerage at CBRE, Inc. where he advises major corporations and property owners on a range of real estate strategies. Read More

Chairman, Global Brokerage

CBRE

In his role as CBRE’s Chairman of Global Brokerage, Stephen Siegel advises major corporations and property owners on a broad range of real estate strategies. Widely regarded as one of the industry’s most talented and prolific professionals, he has been called by the media “a powerhouse,” “an icon,” “a game changer” and “the most legendary and revered broker still plying the trade in NY.”

Prior to the merger with CBRE, as Chairman and CEO of Insignia/ESG, Mr. Siegel was largely responsible for masterminding the firm’s expansion nationwide as well as throughout EMEA and the Americas. He also managed a group that completed approximately $2 billion in co-investments in a wide range of U.S. real estate portfolios across property types. Mr. Siegel initially rose to prominence in the industry at Cushman & Wakefield, where he became President and CEO at age 37. 

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Siegel has arranged multimillion-dollar transactions for some of the nation’s most prominent corporate clients. Recently, he represented Hudson’s Bay Company in the consolidation and relocation of its U.S. headquarters to 410,000 sq. ft. at Brookfield Place, a transaction that included an 85,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue anchoring Brookfield Place. In another recent high-profile deal, Mr. Siegel represented L’Oréal on its 407,000 sq. ft. headquarters relocation to the Related Company’s 10 Hudson Yards. He is a member of the agency leasing team for 7, 4, 3 and 2 World Trade Center.

Mr. Siegel negotiated Gucci Group’s lease at Trump Tower—the most valuable retail deal then completed—on behalf of The Trump Organization, a transaction recognized by REBNY as 2006’s Most Creative Retail Deal of the Year. He also advised Hudson Waterfront Associates, a partnership of overseas investors, on the acquisition of 1290 Avenue of the Americas for $1.25 billion, re-selling it one year later to Vornado Realty Trust. In addition, Mr. Siegel arranged the $306 million sale of a parcel at 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue, the last developable site within the 42nd Street Development Project, to SJP Properties, which constructed Eleven Times Square, a one-million-sq.-ft. office property, on the site.

Renowned for his philanthropy, Mr. Siegel has been called by The Wall Street Journal “the most generous person in the industry.” He sits on numerous nonprofit boards—at one point in his career more than 16—and has endowed fellowships at leading institutions including the Cardozo School of Law, and received honorary doctorates from Baruch College and Yeshiva University, among others. Honored by innumerable organizations ranging from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum to Israel Bonds, Mr. Siegel was recently celebrated, along with fellow honorees Queen Latifah and Danny Meyer, for his contributions to the Young Women’s Leadership Network’s CollegeBound Initiative. 

Frequently quoted in major newspapers, Mr. Siegel has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, LEADERS Magazine and the Real Deal, most recently in March 2016. He is regularly among the Commercial Observer’s Power 100 and has been named by Crain’s as one of the 100 Most Influential Business Leaders in New York City. He was featured in the Urban Land Institute’s Leadership Legacies: Lessons Learned from Ten Real Estate Legends as well as in the best-selling Commercial Real Estate Brokers Who Dominate. Mr. Siegel has also been honored with Commercial Property News’ Lifetime Achievement Award, and has received prestigious industry awards from REBNY and New York University’s Real Estate Institute.

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Jay A. Feinberg

President
A transplant survivor, Jay started Gift of Life searching for his own match in 1991. Since then, he has been responsible for all aspects of organizational growth and development, building Gift of Life into a $17m/revenue/year non-profit saving hundreds of lives annually. Read More

A 28 year transplant survivor, Jay Feinberg is Gift of Life's founder and Chief Executive Officer. Jay was diagnosed with leukemia in 1991 and told that his only hope of a cure was a bone marrow transplant. With the support of his friends and family, Jay embarked on a groundbreaking international search for a matching donor. After organizing 250 drives and testing 60,000 potential donors, Jay's match turned out to be the very last donor tested at the very last drive. He received his transplant at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington in July 1995 thanks to his bone marrow donor, Becky Faibisoff. 

Jay formerly served on the Board of Directors of the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) in the capacity of Secretary of North and South America. For years, he volunteered his time as an inspector for the WMDA's Accreditation Committee. Jay is on the Editorial Board of Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide. 

Jay received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

Jay brings tremendous innovation to marrow donor registries through his leadership at Gift of Life, including the first registry-integrated stem cell collection center housed at Gift of Life’s Boca Raton headquarters, the use of cheek swabs for bloodless testing at donor drives, complete typing at initial recruitment, and a smart phone app to make the registration process faster and more secure.

He has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Charles Bronfman Prize which recognizes dynamic leaders whose innovation and impact serve as inspiration for the future generations. Other notable honors include the National Marrow Donor Program's Allison Atlas Award and Hadassah International's Citizen of the World Award. Jay is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Yeshiva University, received along with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In 2010, Jay received the Jewish Community Hero Award from the Jewish Federations of North America, a leadership award honoring those making strides to repair the world, starting in their own communities.

In 2013, Jay was recognized in the Algemeiner Jewish 100 List-the top one hundred individuals who have positively influenced and lifted the quality of Jewish life. Also in 2013, Jay was the recipient of the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award from the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Reform Movement. Every two years at the URJ's Biennial, the Award is conferred on an individual for service to the world community and Reform Jewry. "It is people like Jay Feinberg who truly make our world a better place," said URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs. "Jay's tireless work has saved countless lives, and his actions follow in the footsteps of Reform social justice pioneers, such as Rabbi Eisendrath. The Talmud teaches that whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved the entire world. Jay's work so truly embodies this teaching, and for that, we are abundantly grateful."

Jay shares this distinction with other notable luminaries including actor and Parkinson's disease advocate Michael J. Fox, Israeli diplomat and politician Abba Eban, former President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres OBM of Israel, former President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, United States Supreme Court Justice Arthur J. Goldberg, former White House Press Secretary James Brady, and businessman and philanthropist Charles R. Bronfman.

In 2011, Jay was one of three non-profit leaders in South Florida to be awarded a scholarship to the Harvard Business School's executive education program "Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management," the flagship of the HBS Social Enterprise Program designed for top executives in the non-profit sector. 

Jay has been an invited guest at the White House during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama presidential administrations, and travels regularly to speak on social justice and community activism, sharing his personal story and Gift of Life's grass roots efforts. Jay is proud to be an honorary brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi).

Jay will serve as president-elect of the World Marrow Donor Association for 2024, and president of the international organization in 2025-6. 

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Edward Blumenfeld

Secretary
Edward Blumenfeld is the president of Blumenfeld Development Group, an industry leader in converting underutilized real estate into vibrant and innovative space. Read More

President, CEO and Founder

Blumenfeld Development Group

Edward Blumenfeld is President, Founder, and the creative force behind Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG). Under Mr. Blumenfeld’s direction, BDG has become an industry leading development firm that specializes in converting underutilized real estate into vibrant, innovative, progressive space that meets the economic and social needs of the community.

Mr. Blumenfeld has sought to improve the quality of life within his community by bringing his energy, insight and personal commitment to a broad range of charitable efforts. He is a founding member of the Association for a Better Long Island (ABLI) and has been returned by his peers for a third term as its president and also serves as a member of its Energy and Environmental Committee. He remains a strong and effective advocate on issues relating to education, the environment, child healthcare, responsible government and sustainable development.

As a founding member of the Schneider Children’s Hospital, Mr. Blumenfeld has worked for more than three decades to sponsor a unique brand of care, based on the special needs of young patients, that has won international recognition. He has been an ardent supporter of the hospital since its inception, and further confirmed his commitment to its continued success by spearheading the expansion of the hospital campus to include the Blumenfeld Center for Pediatric Medicine.

Mr. Blumenfeld has taken a leadership role in honoring the region’s veterans and active duty military personnel through his philanthropic support of the award winning American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport.

Through his many undertakings, Ed Blumenfeld has literally and figuratively built a better Long Island.

Mr. Blumenfeld created BDG in 1978 when he undertook the redevelopment of the North Shore Atrium, a 300,000 square foot building that BDG converted from a Grumman aircraft manufacturing plant to the first mixed-use office facility on Long Island to incorporate a restaurant, conference area, fitness center, and retail shops on premises. Mr. Blumenfeld has carried the same innovative and pioneering vision to every BDG project since.

A dramatic example of this approach toward redevelopment involved the expansion and conversion of Bulova Watch Corporation’s 250,000 square foot manufacturing plant into a 480,000 square foot Class A office facility, anchored by British Airways’ corporate headquarters. Renamed Bulova Corporate Center, this project won numerous design awards and with its art deco details rescued and restored by Mr. Blumenfeld, it is considered BDG’s flagship project.

In the early 1990′s, BDG expanded into the retail sector, largely in historically disadvantaged communities such as east Harlem that had long been ignored by his development peers. These projects have been satisfying financially and sociologically, as the increased choice and lowered costs that these operations generate have raised standards of living in neighboring communities. Gotham Plaza and East River Plaza are two examples of BDG projects that helped energize and revitalize communities. Mr. Blumenfeld feels a moral obligation to improve BDG’s communities, and does so by supporting local charities, donating playing fields, and producing artistic, cultural, and educational events. Mr. Blumenfeld continues to bring his expertise and creativity to new neighborhoods through an array of Sustainable Projects such as The Arches in Deer Park, that remain sensitive to the communities they serve while strengthening local economies.

Mr. Blumenfeld attended Hofstra University, Uniondale, New York.

Affiliations

  • Founder and President of the Board of Directors, Association for a Better Long Island
  • Member of the Board of Directors, Gift of Life Marrow Registry
  • Member of the Board of Directors, RPS Realty Trust
  • Member of Planning Board, Village of Roslyn Estates
  • Member of Advisory Board, University of Pennsylvania – Wharton Real Estate Center
  • Founder/Past President, Children’s Medical Fund – Men’s Division, Schneider Children’s Hospital
  • Member of the Board, Northwell Health
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Peter A. Cohen

Treasurer
Peter A. Cohen is the founder of Peter Cohen LLC, an investment platform with holdings in technology and biotechnology companies, and an arbitrage fund. Read More

Founder

Peter Cohen LLC

Peter A. Cohen is the founder of Peter Cohen LLC – an investment platform with holdings in technology and biotechnology companies, and an arbitrage fund. He is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Andover National Corporation, an investment company which is building a portfolio of environmental service businesses.

Until June 2018, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cowen Inc., a 100-year-old investment bank that specializes in serving healthcare and technology companies. Cowen had been acquired in 2009 by Ramius Capital, a $13 billion alternative asset manager that was founded by Mr. Cohen in 1994. In the nine years after that transaction, Mr. Cohen oversaw the reinvigoration of Cowen’s business through seven acquisitions and a diversification of the bank’s revenue base. Entering 2018, he decided to turn over Cowen to his successor and devote all of his time to his investments.

From 1990-1994, Mr. Cohen worked with Republic New York Corporation, a bank holding company; launched an investment management firm; and represented companies in merger activities. He formed Republic New York Securities for Republic New York Corporation and served as Vice Chairman and board member of the holding company.

Mr. Cohen spent the prior two decades rising through the ranks of the firm that would eventually become Shearson Lehman Brothers. He joined Shearson in 1971 as an equity analyst, but soon transitioned to become assistant to then-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sandy Weill. Over the following years the firm made a series of acquisitions, culminating in its merger with American Express in 1981. By that time, Mr. Cohen had risen to President and Chief Operating Officer. He was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1983, and Shearson continued to make acquisitions throughout the decade, becoming Shearson Lehman Brothers. When Mr. Cohen departed in 1990, the firm had grown to 23,000 employees in 700 offices around the world.

Mr. Cohen has been fortunate to serve on the boards of numerous public companies and industry bodies based in the United States and overseas. He has been a board member of the New York Stock Exchange, the Depository Trust Company, and the New York Federal Reserve’s Capital Markets Advisory Committee. He has served on the boards of three defense contractors – GRC International, Titan International Corporation, and L-3 Communications – as well as on the boards of other prominent US companies including American Express, Shearson Lehman Brothers, and Kroll Inc. He also spent 30 years on the board of the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, was a member of the New York City Opera, and continues to be a director of The Children’s Hearing Institute.

Outside the United States, he was a board member of Société Générale de Belgique, the Belgium holding company; Cerus, a French investment company; Olivetti, an Italian office products company; Telecom Italia, the Italian national phone company; and CIR International, an Italian holding company. 

Today, he continues to be the Lead Director of Scientific Games Corporation, the largest US lottery operator and gaming-machine manufacturer and is on the board of a technology company and two bio-tech companies.

Mr. Cohen grew up on Long Island and graduated from Ohio State University in 1968. He received his MBA degree from Columbia University in 1969. He has three grown children and four grandchildren, and currently resides in New York City – where he has lived for the past 50 years – together with his wife, his two dogs, and a rabbit.

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Warren Eisenberg

Director
Warren Eisenberg co-founded Bed, Bath and Beyond and currently serves as Co-Chairman Emeritus. Read More

Co-Founder and Co-Chairman Emeritus

Bed, Bath & Beyond, Inc.

Warren Eisenberg co-founded Bed Bath & Beyond and currently serves as Co-Chairman Emeritus. 

Warren currently serves on the following boards: "I Have a Dream" Foundation®, "I Have a Dream" Foundation® New York, Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp, and Hand in Hand.  

He is married to Mitzi Eisenberg, who serves as a trustee of the New Museum of Contemporary Art. They reside in Short Hills, New Jersey, and have four children and 12 grandchildren.

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Joseph Grosso, Ph.D.

Director
Joseph Grosso, Ph.D., is the vice president, product development team lead, at Merus Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel bispecific antibody treatments for diseases with high unmet medical need. Read More

Joseph Grosso, Ph.D., is the vice president, product development team lead, at Merus Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel bispecific antibody treatments for diseases with high unmet medical need.

Prior to joining Merus, Dr. Grosso was the program development lead for Breyanzi, a CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of hematological malignancies at Bristol-Myers Squibb, a global pharmaceutical company.  During his time at BMS he has held diverse roles in translational medicine, clinical development and program leadership focused on the characterization and development of novel cancer immuno-therapeutics. He also served as Chief Scientific Officer at Kleo Pharmaceuticals, an early-stage biotechnology company aimed to develop small molecule bispecific oncology drugs, and VP of translational science at Transition Bio.

Dr. Grosso obtained his Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology at the University of Miami and his undergraduate degree in microbiology and immunology at the University of Rochester. He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship with Drs. Charles Drake and Drew Pardoll at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His research focused on the mechanisms of immunological checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1 and LAG-3, in settings of autoimmunity and cancer. He holds several patents and has published articles in the New England Journal of Medicine, Science, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
 

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Julie Rubinstein

Director
Julie Rubinstein is the President of Adaptive Biotechnologies, a commercial-state biotech company that aims to translate the genetics of the adaptive immune system into clinical products to diagnose and treat disease. Read More

Julie Rubinstein is the President of Adaptive Biotechnologies, a commercial-stage biotech company that aims to translate the genetics of the adaptive immune system into clinical products to diagnose and treat disease. Since 2011, she has held a variety of leadership roles and currently oversees Life Sciences Research, Clinical Diagnostics, Drug Discovery, Corporate Marketing and Business Development functions. Ms. Rubinstein was part of the executive team that took the company public in 2019.

Prior to joining Adaptive, Ms. Rubinstein held various worldwide commercial development roles at Pfizer Oncology, primarily focusing on cancer immunotherapy. She also held multiple positions at Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Endo-Surgery division, where she helped commercialize a breast cancer diagnostic device in major European markets. She began her career in Morgan Stanley’s Global Health Care Group as a financial analyst. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for The Valerie Fund, a pediatric oncology organization in New Jersey and New York. Ms. Rubinstein holds a dual degree, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Pennsylvania’s Undergraduate Wharton School and Annenberg School of Communications, with a minor in French. She also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
 

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Mindy Schneider

Director
Mindy Schneider is a former hospital administrator at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She now spends her time with her family foundation and various other philanthropic activities. Read More

Mindy Schneider, though retired for many years, was a hospital administrator at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She now spends her time with her family foundation as well as various other philanthropic activities. Mindy serves on the boards of Brandeis University, Dancing Dreams, Children’s Health Alliance for Israel, and the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative.

Mindy received her Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and Master of Public Health degree from New York University. She has two grown children and currently resides in New York City with her husband Dr. Michael Lesser.

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Jonathan Struhl

Director
Jonathan Struhl is Co-Founder and General Partner at Indicator Ventures, and early stage venture capital fund that invests in entrepreneurs leveraging technology to drive efficiency for business and consumers. Read More

Co-Founder and General Partner

Indicator Ventures

Jonathan Struhl is Co-Founder and General Partner at Indicator Ventures, an early-stage Venture Capital Fund that invests in entrepreneurs leveraging technology to drive massive efficiencies for businesses and consumers. Jonathan focuses on investments in businesses using technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Immersive Computing, and Automation. He is an active Mentor, Board Member and Advisor to a number of companies and accelerator programs, and has spent the past 10 years deeply ingrained in the startup ecosystem. Jonathan's experience is deeply rooted in digital marketing and social media having previously founded a Digital Marketing Agency that worked with global brands, athletes, and celebrities to help navigate the early days of social media. Jonathan is a Board Member and Observer at IrisVR, Mezzobit (acquired by OpenX), Pienso, Wade & Wendy, and EntrypointVR.

Jonathan grew up in Boca Raton, Florida and is a proud graduate of Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business. He was fortunate enough to be a Gift of Life Marrow Registry blood stem cell donor to a now healthy mother of four, whom he met at Gift of Life's Gala in 2015. Since becoming a stem cell donor, Jonathan has been an active advocate for the Gift of Life and is extremely passionate about spreading and tailoring its message to young professionals.

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