2023 Power Players Rising

Jennifer O’Sullivan is the COO of NYCFC. She oversees various departments including legal, human resources, IT, matchday operations and security, infrastructure and facilities, safeguarding, and youth programs. O’Sullivan joined NYCFC from law firm Arent Fox, where she was a partner in the Sports Industry Practice. Previously, O’Sullivan was a partner at Hand Baldachin & Associates. She also served as general counsel of RSE Ventures and was previously the commissioner and CEO of Women’s Professional Soccer.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
This has been an amazing year for NYCFC and I am so proud of our work both internally and externally. In addition to expanding upon our community work and bringing more free soccer programs to 6,000+ youth across the five boroughs, I’m proud of implementing our Club’s DEI roadmap and new recruiting processes to ensure more diversity in our hiring, and playing an important part in helping realize our goal of building our own stadium.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Build and nurture genuine relationships because other than your name and reputation, your network will be the most valuable tool you have in your arsenal. Work hard. Be the first one to show up and the last to leave. Don’t be afraid to take risks and opportunities as they come because your career will take twists and turns. Don’t be afraid of challenges. They force you to grow and develop. Use them to your advantage.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I can’t imagine a career outside of sports — but if I had to choose something else using my law degree it would probably have been in the field of international relations. If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would have loved to become a pilot.

Jay Olson is responsible for leading the efforts of the Bureau of Public Finance which manages all aspects of City borrowing for New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, including bond issuances, identifying money-saving opportunities, and debt policy. Olson previously served as treasurer for several debt issuers including the NYC Transitional Finance Authority and Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corporation. His educational background includes a MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, a MBA in Finance from The University of Texas, and a BA from Northwestern University.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
In July of this year, I will have served the City in public finance continuously for 25 years. Having served through 9/11, the Great Recession, and the COVID pandemic has been quite a challenge. I am honored by the faith the Comptroller has placed in me by charging me with the responsibilities of Deputy Comptroller for Public Finance.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
The level of complexity you will face is far greater than you can imagine. Bring all your focus and a healthy dose of intellectual humility to bear to all the tasks before you.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
Teaching and/or corporate treasury.

Kellie Parkin is the newly appointed executive director for nglccNY, and a leader in the LGBTQ+ economic equality movement. Before moving to New York City, she was the president and CEO of the Pride Chamber of Orlando, where she led the organization to be nationally recognized as the Chamber of the Year, and spearheaded the effort that led the City of Orlando and Orange County to embrace LGBT businesses in procurement.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
Completely upending my world, moving to New York City, and finding that I really love living here.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Learn all you can about everything. Working for a chamber of commerce lets you apply a variety of knowledge and skills everyday. Add in the LGBTQ+ business aspect, and it becomes a unicorn job — there are very few people who actually do this work. It’s a blend of advocacy, community building, small business development, corporate engagement, and so much more. It’s rewarding, fulfilling, and a lot of hard work.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
Writing on a beach somewhere. 

Inspired by his father’s activism in SEIU healthcare locals, Manny Pastreich has dedicated his career to building power for working people. Pastreich is the president of SEIU 32BJ, the largest property services union in the country, representing 175,000 members throughout the East Coast. He is known for his strong hand at the bargaining table, fighting to maintain the wages and benefits his members deserve, as well as his commitment to organizing workers so that they too can have higher wages, benefits, and a voice on the job. 

Roberto Perli is the manager of the system open market account and a senior leader in the New York Fed’s Markets Group. In his role, Mr. Perli is responsible for implementing monetary policy at the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee. Mr. Perli has over 20 years of financial services experience related to both monetary policy and financial markets. His selection as SOMA Manager was approved by the FOMC in February 2023 and he started in the role shortly thereafter.

Melinda Person is president of New York State United Teachers, the union of nearly 700,000 employees or retirees of New York’s schools, colleges and health care facilities. In 16 years at NYSUT, including as executive and political director, Person revolutionized member engagement, created organizing programs to bring demands to elected representatives, and developed the Pipeline Project to train members to run for office. She is committed to equitable classrooms where students and educators thrive.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
This year the governor committed to fully funding New York’s schools according to the Foundation Aid formula, which aims to send money to the schools and children that need it most. NYSUT has been on the frontlines of the yearslong political and legal battles that led to this moment. We are thrilled that public schools will finally be getting the resources they need, because where we see strong schools, we see strong, safe, and connected communities.

In 2008, Amore Philip turned a pink slip into an opportunity to start her entrepreneurial journey. Before launching her PR agency in 2012, Philip attended LIM College, where she studied fashion merchandising. Fast forward two years later, Philip is rebranding her agency to focus on tech, sustainability, and emerging luxury brands that are leveraging PR in their long-term growth strategy. Notable projects include TEDX Waterstreet, Positive Luxury, and Statues for Equality US launch. Amore is an alumnus of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I am most proud of our work with our first international client Positive Luxury. We really love their work as leading sustainability experts for the global luxury industry. By helping businesses meet higher and higher standards for people and nature, we are transforming luxury — for the good of all.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
I would say to start by learning and understanding the industry as well as its history and how it all came about. Secondly, I highly recommend choosing internships that would allow one to be creative and contribute. Lastly, make a list of 3 people that you admire in the industry and study them. 

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I would be a film director or a travel journalist. I would enjoy traveling to different countries and telling stories about their cultures and customs. 

Pradeep Raman, a seasoned hotelier with 25 years of experience, is the managing director for Corinthia New York. Raman is leading the opening of Corinthia’s first U.S. hotel in NYC’s Upper East Side, transforming the former Surrey Hotel. Previously, he managed Baccarat Hotel & Residences and Peninsula New York. Raman’s career includes roles with Montage Hotels, Wynn Resorts, Viceroy Hotel Group, Taj Group, and Ritz-Carlton across North America and international locations like Hong Kong, Istanbul, Malaysia, Europe, and Asia.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
2023 is an exciting year for me personally with my move to Corinthia New York as managing director. I am so thankful to have been presented with this unique opportunity to launch Corinthia Hotels’ first property in the United States, especially in New York City, working alongside talented individuals. I look forward to what the future holds.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Patience, respect, and understanding are key skills required. A hotelier is a master storyteller, orchestrating experiences into lifelong memories for guests. However demanding the job may seem at times, tremendous satisfaction comes from working with your colleagues to realize guests’ dreams each and every day. Always keep an open mind, embrace change, and most importantly have fun.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I am a passionate hotelier and so would relive my career all over again. I am fortunate to enjoy every element of my role and am continually challenged by my guests and colleagues. I see hospitality as a vocation and having the opportunity to create special moments, build relationships, share experiences, and exchange ideas inspires me every day.

Bernie Ramos has over 20 years of experience helping middle-market companies succeed financially. In his current role, he manages new client acquisition and deepens relationships with Hispanic clients and prospects. Based in NYC and Albany, Ramos serves customers throughout the US. Ramos joined Wells Fargo in 2007 as a relationship manager, covering NY, New England, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Ramos was previously a market executive at Bank of America, covering New York and New England, and held various positions with Fleet Bank.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
Being named Hispanic Segment Leader for Wells Fargo’s Commercial Bank group. Being able to combine my passion for serving the Hispanic community and nearly three decades of banking experience has been incredible. I had to think hard when making the decision to leave a comfortable role on our Government Banking team to move into something very different. When I thought about being part of the work Wells Fargo is doing with the Hispanic segment, though, I realized it would be the opportunity of a lifetime. Now that I’ve been in this job for six months, I am energized and excited by the work and look forward to driving outcomes to help Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs succeed.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Learn as much as you can from anyone you can. The opportunities within banking are vast and can be incredibly fulfilling. Helping companies grow, helping individuals achieve their financial goals, and helping municipalities serve their citizens are just a few of the things we do as bankers. We have an incredible team of people at Wells Fargo that strive to meet our customers’ needs and provide helpful advice and expertise.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
If I wasn’t in banking, I think I would be working with underserved youth to educate them about all of the possibilities they may not see for themselves based on the perspectives they currently have. Supporting our young people and helping them understand all that they can accomplish if they believe in themselves is so critical to developing the leaders of tomorrow.

As founder of Wallball World LLC and the CEO of the U.S. Wallball Association Inc., Jasmine Ray has worked tirelessly to motivate young people in underserved communities to stay in school, embrace healthy lifestyles, and pursue alternatives to drug use and violent behavior. Ray is the director for the Mayor’s Office of Sports, Wellness and Recreation, the senior advisor to the board of Cornerstone Daycare, and an executive board member of the Black and Minority Chamber of Commerce.