Board of The Seward Park Conservancy

Lauren Barack, President, is a Loeb award-winning business, tech and education journalist. She is the former president of the University of California at Berkeley School of Journalism Alumni Board, and has long been active in the Lower East Side for community groups and schools.

Bridget Bosworth, Secretary, has lived on the Lower East Side for more than 15 years and enjoys visiting Seward Park regularly with her children. Bridget works in legal publishing and has volunteered with many community groups and organizations in Lower Manhattan.  

Linda Jones, Treasurer, is a community activist, working on park, landmarks, and other neighborhood issues. She is a member of Community Board 3 and chairs the Landmarks Committee. She is a founding member of the preservation organization Friends of the Lower East Side and an adviser to the Historic Districts Council. She earns her living as a computer consultant. As a founding member of Friends of Seward Park, Linda has worked weekly to maintain the garden in Seward Park.

Lauren Gill, Director, is the founder of Citizen Grower, a New York–based gardening company focused on sustainable and edible plantings. She has also worked for a wide variety of organizations designing websites and printed projects. Lauren’s volunteering activities include coordinating the large vegetable garden in the Seward Park Co-ops. She actively supports efforts in New York City to improve green space, enhance the food system, sustain wellness and promote the arts.

Ron Castellano, Director, is an architect and developer who has restored and adaptively reused two iconic Lower East Side buildings—the Jewish Daily Forward building and the Garfield. He is currently working as an architect on the restoration of the neighborhood’s tallest landmark, the Jarmulowsky Bank Building, which will become a boutique hotel “9 Orchard”.

Michael Learmonth, Director, is an award-winning journalist and producer. As a volunteer director he's focused on preserving and enhancing Seward Park for all residents of the Lower East Side.

Sandy Markman, Director, is a former VP Creative Director with Estée Lauder Companies, and is now a creative consultant on branding strategies. Sandy is also a ceramist whose work balances glazing with organic forms. She is passionate about Seward Park, and the diversity and history of the Lower East Side.

Miriam Nagler, Director, has been a resident in Seward Park for over 25 years and has been witness to major transformations in the neighborhood. She also works as a Registered Nurse in a local hospital serving the community.

Jodi Zagoory, Director, has called the Lower East Side home for the last 19 years. She is an attorney and arbitrator in Manhattan, and, also is a licensed real estate broker with Compass. She previously served on the Board of Directors of Seward Park Cooperative, the Lower East Side co-op where she and her husband reside.

Our Founders

The Seward Park Conservancy evolved out of an earlier organization Friends of Seward Park, created when our founding members began to care for the garden that had been redesigned by volunteers from the Junior League.

Amy Robinson, President Emeritus

Carol Anastasio, former Volunteer Coordinator

Linda Jones, Treasurer, is still an active board member.

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