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 public member of Community Board 3’s 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 and the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative. 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.

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,now the 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.

Our Advisors

Peter Burke is a financial professional specializing in alternative investment spaces such as private equity, credit, real estate, and venture capital. A frequent visitor to Seward Park, Peter appreciates its deep historical significance and is committed to ensuring the park mainains its vitality and essential service to the commuinty every day.

Michael Glennon is a video producer with 20+ years experience producing content for advertising clients. He is a 10-year resident of the Lower East Side.

Alexander Kotler is a real estate professional with more than 25 years of experience advising individuals, families, and businesses through complex, high-stakes decisions. A close observer of the New York City market, he specializes in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where deep local knowledge, historical context, and community nuance matter. He is the founder of More For LES, a real estate platform serving buyers, sellers, and investors, and is an active member of the Lower East Side community. Alex lives locally with his wife and two children.

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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