Ellen Ryan joined openhousenewyork as the interim executive director in April 2012. Since 2009, Ellen served as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a $360 million 85-acre destination park located on Brooklyn’s East River shoreline. Prior to that, Ellen served as Director of Governmental Affairs at the NYC Department of City Planning from 2002-2009, during a period where over 90 area-wide rezonings were approved by the New York City Council. Ellen joined City Planning after a 9-year stint at the Municipal Art Society as Director of Planning Issues, leading advocacy campaigns for the citywide not-for-profit. Ellen earned her Masters in Planning at the University of Virginia and attended Georgetown University for her undergraduate studies. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and Coro Leadership NY Class of 2001.
Staff
Since 2006, Jessica Mak has been the event coordinator for the Annual openhousenewyork Weekend in October, helping to curate all sites and opendialogue and sustainablenewyork programs. She also manages the annual weekend event logistics including development and print/ web content for the Event Guide, coordination of deliverable collateral (event and kids guides, poster, visitor surveys, etc.), and organizes the orientation of 700+ volunteers for openhousenewyork Weekend. Jessica is the primary point person to ensure all goals and targets are met leading to and post openhousenewyork Weekend. Jessica holds a BS in Environmental Studies from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry.
Jailee Rychen has been with openhousenewyork since July 2011. Jailee coordinates the openhousenewyork Weekend and year-round adult, youth and family programs and events including openhousenewyork Tours, architecturemoves, the Focus on Architecture Photography Competition, openhousenewyork Kids! Family Festival, the Spring Benefit and the Launch Party in October. In addition, Jailee assists with marketing and communication including openhousenewyork’s e-newsletters and blog and is the Staff Liaison to the Volunteer Council. Prior to joining openhousenewyork, Jailee gained experience working at a number of non-profits in New York including the Guggenheim, the Jewish Museum and Ludlow 38 Curatorial Residencies. Jailee holds two MAs, one in Art History from the University of Sydney, and one in Museum Studies from New York University. She also holds a BFA in Advertising Art Direction from Columbia College Chicago.