16th season , September 2020
September 13, 2020: John Catsimatidis: Red Apple Group
Child of immigrant parents, his parents cried when he dropped out of college, the man who "wanted to be a success," entrepreneur and innovator John Catsimatidis
September 20, 2020 James Simmons, Asland Capital Partners, Part I
James H. Simmons III,
September 27, 2020: James Simmons, Asland Capital Partners
Having earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, James Simmons is told he needs another degree - this time an MBA. While medicine, law and engineering were accessible careers to young minorities, Mr. Simmons comments, Wall St., finance, real estate were still relatively unknown. Part 2.
October 4,2020: Marcy Waterman, SterlingRisk
October 11, 2020: Dr. Rock Positano, Dinner with DiMaggio
In Part 2 of his conversation, Dr. Rock Positano,
October 18, 2020: Stewart F. Lane
Stewart F. Lane, six time Tony winners -
October 25, 2020: Chef Marc Murphy
November 1st., 2020: Marcy Syms, Syms Foundation
Activist. author, philanthropist, known for the motto - "an educated consumer is our best customer" - Marcy Syms, former CEO of Syms Corp and president of the Syms Foundation
November 8, 2020: Richard Richman, The Richman Group
A goal of The Richman Group is to be "best in class in all sectors in which it participates," and Richard Richman, founder and chairman, guides the company/
November 15, 2020: Alexa Sewell, Settlement Housing Fund
Alexa Sewell tells a great story-a NY/American talk-about her immigrant family, Greek and Italian, their talents and contribution to America's history. Sewell discusses the Settlement Housing Fund, building affordable housing with strong communities.
November 22, 2020: John Usdan, MIdwood Investment & Development
John Usdan describes his grandfather, Samuel Lemberg, as a "most humble, self-effacing, down-to-earth" person; a believer in giving-back. Mr. Lemberg was devoted to charity, as is the family, today, to philanthropy in primarily education and the arts. Usdan discusses the growth of the company, founded by his grandfather in Midwood, Brooklyn, which he has managed since 1981, upon his grandfather's retirement
November 29, 2020: James O’Neal, Legal Outreach
James O'Neal describes his family's history: his grandparents - the tailor, the laborer; his parents - college graduates and teachers, committed to education for their children. O'Neal's not-for-profit organization, Legal Outreach, provides young people with skills, support, and exposure to college, graduate schools and numerous careers.
January 3, 2021: Gordon Crane, Founder, Apple & Eve
.Gordon Crane, self-described as "... a hippie, a flower child" reminds us of the 60s and 70s - drugs, Vietnam War protests; a difficult time to plan one's future. Encouraged to own his business, Crane, working with his family, developed and expanded Apple & Eve Juices, available in supermarkets, today.
January 10, 2021: Marc Altheim, Co-Founder, Apple & Eve
Growing up "in a bubble," Marc Altheim describes his college years here and study abroad as life changing experiences - coming out of the bubble - enabling him to be more serious about his life, leading to work with H.E.L.P. USA, affordable and supportive housing and later, with assisted living facilities.
January 17, 2021: Debra Tantleff, Tantum Real Estate
Introduced as a woman real estate developer who can build buildings, Debra Tantleff describes her childhood, traditional upbringing, education, and current place in an unlikely profession for a woman. Listed in the Top 40 Real Estate Executives in New Jersey, Tantleff names the "remarkable women" in her life, the "bosses" and mentors, the steps she took to open a certified Women's Business Enterprise, her own construction and redevelopment company.
January 24, 2021: Alan Dern, CEO, The One Stop Property Group
His tenacity and a little luck have helped Alan Dern overcome personal misfortune and later, business set-backs. With his family and supportive friends, Dern has developed businesses working with industries requiring commercial space, warehouses, storage, manufacturing and office space.
January 31, 2021: Alison Gross, Daintree Advisory
In the mid 1800's, two families leave Poland, settle in Manchester, England, where their children, who met as toddlers in Manchester Jewish School, marry, beginning Alison Gross' family history. Fast-forward to today - as president of Daintree Advisory, Gross provides innovative approaches and strategic planning to major companies for long-term growth.
February 14, 2021: Steven J. Frucht M.D. Institute Director, Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders
Discussing his family's musical ability, Dr. Steven Frucht relies on family tales of generations of musicians, who have blessed him with perfect pitch, all lost in the Holocaust. Piano, violin, the Tanglewood Music Festival, Leonard Bernstein or science and Harvard medical school - which route to follow.
March 21, 2021 Patrice Derrington
Australian born Patrice Derrington has combined her expertise in business, architecture, real estate and education in support of numerous projects including VP of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, during New York's recovery efforts after 9/11. Derrington describes the focus of her work, questioning how people can ever get on their feet - on equal footing - with those who have stable shelter.
Guest List
Patrice Derrington Holliday Associate Professor of Real Estate, Director, Real Estate Development Program, Columbia University
April 25, 2021:
Life of Bruce Schanzer, Cedar Realty Trust
May 9, 2021: Noam Wasserman, Sy Syms School of Business of Yeshiva University
As a young man, Noam Wasserman was given advice: to slow down - to recognize that it's more important to do things right than to do things fast. This suggestion contributed to his helping build a Jewish community, to academic achievements, and to success in bringing together business, technology, and life-cycle consulting. Author of two books, in 2009, Wasserman became dean at Yeshiva University
May 23, 2021: Vernon Hill, Chairman & CEO, Republic Bank
May 23rd, 2021: Vernon Hill
May 30, 2021 Nadir Settles, Nuveen
Nadir Settles grew up in the Bronx, part of a large family, with an aunt or older cousin always available to help out when his mother worked long hours. An entrepreneur from childhood, Nadir and his brother created jobs to help support "kids' extras." A St. John's and Villanova graduate, Settles discusses INROADS, the not-for-profit pipeline program, and its contribution to his professional development.
Guest List
Nadir Settles Managing Director, NY Region, Nuveen Real Estate
June 27, 2021: Stephen Siegel, Chairman, Global Brokerage, CBRE
Stephen Siegel's reputation as a super broker may only be exceeded by his philanthropic activity. Born in the Bronx, Mr. Siegel graduated from Monroe High School at 15 - SP and skipping a few grades - worked at the local candy store, and at 17, took a job as a real-estate broker, becoming, at 37, the company's chairman and CEO. Cushman & Wakefield, ESG, CBRE: just the beginning of Stephen Siegel's career, generosity, well-deserved honors and accolades