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Meet the Team

Learn more about the members of the Jacob Riis Tenant Association Board and BFJ Planning below. 

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Jacob Riis Tenant Association

Our goal is to serve our community and strengthen our Voices! And United, We can!

Daphne Williams 

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President

As the president of the Jacob Riis TA, Ms. Williams has been instrumental in creating positive change for residents, and for Riis Houses as a whole. President Williams oversees all initiatives at Riis, and attends all meetings related to changes and repairs of the complex. President Williams helps to enhance the quality of life of Riis residents by ensuring equal access to important resources and programs.

Mary Cannon

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1st Vice President

1st Vice President Cannon serves as President Williams’ right hand, attending all important meetings and assisting in various outreach programs. 1st Vice Cannon manages Riis’ food pantry program and gives back to the community regularly; 1st Vice Cannon is especially passionate about providing aid for the homeless.

Sharon Stergis

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2nd Vice President

2nd Vice President Sharon Stergis is a mental health awareness advocate, a feminist, and a writer. 2nd Vice Stergis serves the interests of the Riis community through her work as a board member and advocate with Civil Eats, a news source which provides critical commentary on the American food system, and The Poor People's Campaign, which is a national call to confront systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism, and more.

Nilsa Owens

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Treasurer

Treasurer Owens serves the Riis community by keeping track of the Jacob Riis Tenant Association’s spending, financial records, bookkeeping, and all other financial concerns of the Association. Outside of her financial duties, Treasurer Owens is a fierce advocate for Riis residents.

Diane Gomez

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Secretary 

Secretary Gomez is responsible for taking meeting minutes, producing meeting reports, and engaging the community, particularly through flyer posting. Secretary Gomez is tapped into the needs and concerns of her fellow residents, especially Riis’ senior population.

BFJ Planning

BFJ Planning is a consulting firm providing professional expertise in planning, urban design, environmental analysis, real estate, and transportation since its establishment in 1980. The firm’s work is grounded in consensus-building and public engagement, using a diverse set of strategies to facilitate robust and meaningful involvement by a full array of stakeholders.

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Jonathan Martin

Associate Principal - Lead Facilitator 

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Christine Jimenez 

Senior Planner - Project Manager

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Nile Johnson

Planner - Project Planner 

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Evan Accardi

Planner - Project Planner 

Jonathan Martin is an urban designer with more than 20-years of experience in community planning and project management. He leads BFJ’s design practice, contributing expertise in site planning, design guidelines and interactive community engagement. Jonathan is also a professor in graduate programs at Pratt Institute and Columbia University.

 

Christine Jimenez is a Senior Planner at BFJ Planning. Ms. Jimenez has eight years of experience working in the fields of architecture and planning in the tri-state area. She has been involved in various project types, which include comprehensive plans, commercial district needs assessments, downtown revitalization plans, planning and zoning analyses, and urban design studies. In addition, Christine has experience organizing and participating in various community engagement events.

 

Nile Johnson is a recent graduate of the Master’s Program in Urban Planning at Columbia University where her academic capstone examined the disproportionate impacts on BIPOC due to climate change in Weeksville, Brooklyn. At BFJ Planning, Nile specializes primarily in community engagement, and has contributed to multiple community and comprehensive plans. 

Evan Accardi is a recent addition to the BFJ team, with prior experience in project management, community engagement, and resiliency planning. Evan has particular interest in sustainability and land use planning, building on his dedication to equity and community considerations.

BFJ Planning Website 

2024 by BFJ Planning & Jacob Riis Tenant Association

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