THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com
PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS and the current Chief Executive Officer and our team is as prepared as ever to deliver Nicholson first to hold cilman of Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, brings world class subway service for millions of New more than a decade of experience working Yorkers,” said Ko. “I’ve spent more than 30 new post at LGCC across the government, education and nonprofit years with New York City Transit working to
Wendy M. Nicholson was named LaGuardia Community College’s first executive director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). “With 30 years of experience advocating for and working with underrepresented communities, including in the areas of diversity, mental health, and disabilities, Wendy brings a wealth of knowledge to this new role,” said college president Kenneth Adams. Nicholson joined LaGuardia in March 2012 as advisor for CUNY LEADS, part of the Center for Career & Professional Development. As CUNY LEADS NICHOLSON advisor, she worked with students with disabilities, helping to prepare them for the workforce, advocating for their rights and needs, and educating the college community about serving students with disabilities. Throughout her time at LaGuardia, Nicholson has been deeply involved in college leadership and work that is directly relevant to her new DEI role. She has served as a co-chair for the President’s Advisory Council on DEI, was an important leader in both the Faculty and Staff of Color Collective and the Senate Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, and served as a member of the Black Lives Matter Planning Committee and on the Middle States Self Study Team. Nicholson holds a B.S. from Tufts University, an MPA from John Jay College, and is currently completing a Doctorate in Public Administration at Rutgers University, where she is a fellow in the Center for Law, Immigration, and Metropolitan Equity. Her research interests include racism and microaggression, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as educational, criminal justice, and governmental budgeting policies.
sectors. “Costa Constantinides is a real King of Queens, always ensuring Queens has gotten our fair share throughout his career,” said Richards. “Costa’s track record clearly shows his devotion to Queens’ economic growth and success, which will continue as long as Costa has a seat at the table. Constantinides succeeds Melva Miller, who will continue focusing on her role as the CEO of the Association for a Better New York. Constantinides represented the 22nd District, which includes his native Astoria, as well CONSTANTINIDES as Rikers Island, parts of Jackson Heights, Woodside, and East Elmhurst. In his seven years on the City Council, Constantinides passed 44 bills to combat climate change. He worked with city partners to put solar panels on every solar-ready school in the district by 2022. In 2016, Constantinides worked with the de Blasio administration to secure a historic $30 million to reimagine Astoria Park. Constantinides attended P.S. 84 and P.S. 122, both in Astoria, before graduating from William Cullen Bryant High School. He attended Queens College, where he now teaches as an adjunct lecturer in both the Political Science and Urban Studies departments. In 2010, Constantinides received his Juris Doctor from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 2014. “As our city recovers from the pandemic, fights for a more just and fair economy, battles the effects of climate change and strives to become more sustainable, EDC is a critical agency in achieving a stronger city,” said Constantinides.
Costa Constantinides has been nominated by Borough President Donovan Richard for membership on the Board of Directors of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). Richards said Constantinides, a former coun-
Chief Mechanical Officer of Subway Car Equipment, the division of New York City Transit responsible for maintaining and overhauling the agency’s fleet of subway cars and track maintenance vehicles. “Riders are returning to the subway system
Ko first woman to hold Constantinides to join post at MTA board at NYCEDC Siu Ling Ko was named vice president and
6
improve maintenance and reliability and I am excited to continue that work.” A 34-year veteran of NYC Transit’s Subway Car Equipment division, Ko is the first woman to hold the position. In her role, Ko will provide executive oversight for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of NYC Transit’s fleet of 7,092 cars and for the 24/7 operations of the 13 maintenance, KO two overhaul and locomotive shops. Starting her career at NYC Transit as an Associate Engineering Technician, Ko has held multiple positions since. As the Assistant Chief Mechanical Officer, Quality Assurance and New Car Warranty, Ko provided direction on all maintenance, overhaul shop and new car procurement audits, all new car contract warranty programs and technology services that report key statistics on subway car performance, maintenance and repair. Ko received her degree in electrical engineering from the New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering (now called NYU Tandon School of Engineering) in Downtown Brooklyn. Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2021 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.
Produced by BQE Media 45-23 47th Street, 2nd Floor Woodside 11377• 718.426.7200 Send articles & photos to:
queensboroughmagazine@queensledger.com
