Urban Thinkers Campus Regional Roundtable - Brooklyn and Bronx Case Studies

Tim Tompkins has worked for over three decades to understand and improve cities, with an emphasis on neighborhood-driven economic development, place management, public art, and public-private partnerships.

In 2022 he created SharedCitySharedSpace, which nurtures the interaction of ideas, institutions, individuals and cultures — particularly through public, private and civic sector collaboration — in order to make more prosperous, vibrant and equitable cities.

 

He is currently an NYU Marron Institute Fellow and an Adjunct Professor of Urban Planning at the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, where he has taught two courses: “Transforming Cities Equitably: Public Space, Partnerships, Politics & the Press” and “Arts, the Artist and Urban Transformation.”

 

Tompkins was President of the Times Square Alliance, one of the nation’s pre-eminent Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), from 2002-2020. The many public realm improvements during his tenure included the building of the iconic red steps on Duffy Square and the creation, in partnership with NYC, of the Broadway Pedestrian Malls. He oversaw the annual New Year's Eve celebration and created other initiatives such as the Summer Solstice Yoga celebration, Design in Times Square, the Times Square Design Lab and Broadway Buskers. He articulated a set of principles underlying Times Square’s dramatic changes, and put forth a strategic and brand vision for its future.

Tiera Mack is a dedicated urban planning and policy professional boasting over 5 years of progressive experience. With a unique blend of urban planning and business strategy expertise, Tiera excels in transforming ideas into growth opportunities. Tiera is known for her passion and proven success in creating a common vision by forging strong partnerships across all facets of the community.

 

Tiera's ability to leverage research and analytics is evident in the implementation of processes that align with current community trends. Tiera Mack stands as a skilled professional committed to making a positive impact on urban environments through thoughtful and strategic planning.

Dr. Tepelus is the inaugural Executive Director of the Morris Park BID established in 2018. With over 20 years of high-level executive and non-profit experience, Dr. Tepelus successfully operationalized a competitive and effective BID that makes a difference for over 300 businesses on the Morris Park Avenue commercial corridor. Dr. Tepelus work to create innovative economic development programs, corridor marketing, beautification and horticulture projects, policy making and legislative advocacy for the Bronx has been highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, Gotham Gazette and City Limits. Dr. Tepelus is the NY State 2020 “Women of Distinction” honoree of Sen. Alessandra Biaggi.

 

Previously, Dr. Tepelus worked for the NYC Department of Small Business Services in the Neighborhood360 program, and for the national non-profit ECPAT USA as the NY State Policy and Program Development Director, responsible for legislative advocacy against human trafficking and hospitality businesses engagement on corporate social responsibility. For over a decade, Dr. Tepelus served as the co-founder and international Secretariat Coordinator of TheCode.org, a global business initiative mobilizing the travel and hospitality sector to combat human trafficking worldwide. Dr. Tepelus spoke at hundreds of international events, published academic and empiric research articles and book chapters, and is the recipient of top travel and tourism awards including: Ashoka Changemakers Award, British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award, The Ethical Corporation Award, the Travel and Leisure Magazine Human Rights Leadership Award. Romanian-born, after living and working in 4 countries, Dr. Tepelus chose the Bronx as the home to raise her family.

Maggie Greenfield is a lifelong environmentalist, educated in science, policy, and urban planning by the academy and trained in environmental justice by the Bronx. Following a career as a nonprofit executive and NYC Parks administrator, she brings her passion for urban environmental policy, climate adaptation, and environmental justice to her work as an organizational consultant. Her approach is collaborative, creative, and strategically focused on meeting organizational and coalition-based goals.

 

From 2017 to 2023, she served as the Executive Director for the Bronx River Alliance and Bronx River Administrator for NYC Parks. With a background in environmental science and policy and urban planning, her work has spanned the environmental review process at the Federal, State, and local levels. With nearly two decades dedicated to urban river restoration, waterfront park and trail development, environmental education, and community engagement in the Bronx, she played a pivotal role in securing and guiding investments exceeding $250 million in greenway and restoration projects. Her efforts ensured the coordination of ecological restoration work and collaboration with diverse partners, ranging from community-based organizations to Federal agencies, contributing to the revitalization of the river as a valuable resource for the surrounding communities.