Rachel Lissy, PHD

Director, BridgesNY, JCRC-NY

Rachel Lissy is a consultant, coach and capacity builder with more than two decades of experience working with schools, community based organizations and educators. She is currently the Director of the BridgesNY Fellowship where she previously served as the Assistant Director of the Center for Shared Society at JCRC-NY. Prior to this role, Rachel was the Senior Program Officer at Ramapo for Children providing capacity building for schools, districts, networks and youth-centered organizations focused on creating inclusive and equitable communities. She has a Phd in Social and Cultural Studies from the University of California at Berkeley and a Masters in Policy, Organization and Leadership Studies from the Stanford University School of Education. She was a consultant on the New York Times and Serial Productions podcast Nice White Parents and for This American Life. Along with her first-hand experience working with educators, non-profit leaders and youth she also brings historical and organizational perspectives to her work with schools, community based organizations and civic institutions.

Cynthia Johnson

Assist. Director, BridgesNY, JCRC-NY

Cynthia L. Johnson is a nonprofit and public sector leader with expertise in program development, strategic planning, and policy. She went from being a high school drop out to earning a multi-disciplinary degree from the University of Chicago and Master’s in Leadership & Management from Oglala Lakota College.

She has served as Director of Native American Programs at AmeriCorps (contributing to the national policy on Native American education as a Special Task Force member of the White House Domestic Policy Council), Director of the NY Jewish Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform, and Executive Director of Pine Ridge Youth Center. Working in the US and internationally, Cynthia founded a non-profit and two commercial start-ups and multiple regional and national programs, including the national Tribal Civilian Conservation Corps. A published author and editor, she recently spearheaded the creation of the first Jewish prayerbook for people in custody at Rikers Island.

She is a dedicated advocate in the areas of Native American and women’s rights, immigration, addiction and criminal justice reform.

Advisory Council

Our advisory council draws from civic leaders in the fields of politics, business, philanthropy, community based organizations, media, labor and healthcare.  In addition to helping with recruitment and program design, our advisory council members support our mission by serving as speakers, mentors and special guests. 

Amelia Adams, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado

Rev. Lawrence Aker III, Lead Pastor,  Cornerstone Baptist Church

Curtis Archer, President, Harlem Development Corp

Evan Bernstein, President and CEO, Community Security Service

Erik Bottcher, NYC Council Member, District 3

Gale Brewer, NYC Council Member, District 6

Selvena Brooks-Powers, NYC Council Member, District 31

Yvette Clarke, U.S. House Representatives, District 9

Michael Cohen, Eastern Director, Simon Wiesenthal Center

Robert Cordero, CEO, Grand Street Settlement

Brian Cunningham, NY State Assembly, 43rd District

Ruben Diaz Jr., SVP of Strategic Initiatives, Montefiore Medicine

Eric Dinowitz, NYC Council Member, District 11

Ester Fuchs, Professor of International  Public Affairs & Political Science, Columbia University

Jonathan Greenspun, Managing Director, Mercury Public Affairs

Jessica Haller, Political Strategist

Margaret Hoover, Firing Line, PBS

Corey Johnson, Former Speaker of the NYC Council

Brad Korn, Director, Community Affairs, Mt. Sinai Health System

Linda Lee, NYC Council Member, District 23

Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President

Errol Louis, Political Anchor & Commentator, Spectrum News NY1, CNN, and New York Magazine 

Farah Louis, NYC Council Member, District 45

Grace Meng, U.S. House of Representatives, District 6

Rabbi Michael S. Miller, President, MSM Strategic Consulting

Randy Peers, President and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President

Meisha Porter, President and CEO, Bronx Community Foundation

Mohammad Razvi, CEO, Council of Peoples Organization (COPO)

John Samuelsen, International President, Transport Workers Union 

Julie Sandorf, President, Revson Foundation

Terry Troia, Executive Director,  Project Hospitality