Arts, Cultural and Community Organizations

After Sandy: Disaster Recovery Workshop Presenter Biographies

Jenny Bernstein Liaison

FEMA NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES RECOVERY SUPPORT FUNCTION (RSF) 609.480.1462 Jenny.bernstein@fema.dhs.gov

Jenny Bernstein is the Liaison for the FEMA Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery Support Function (RSF), long-term recovery group. Jennys academic and professional background is in the arts, cultural studies and sustainability; she has worked for several non-profits, community centers and historic preservation firms in New York, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Jenny joined FEMAs Hurricane Sandy recovery operation one month after the disaster as part of the FEMA NDRF (National Disaster Recovery Framework)/Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination long-term recovery team. The function of Jennys group, the Natural and Cultural Resources RSF, is to protect natural and cultural resources after disaster through appropriate response and recovery actions, assisting in the preservation, conservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of resources so that they are compliant with environmental and cultural resource laws and consistent with community priorities. The Cultural Resources team within Natural and Cultural Resources RSF coordinates with state and municipal agencies as well as regional non-governmental organizations to provide technical assistance and support to cultural resources, historic resources and cultural institutions after disasters.

Susan Duhl

Paper Conservator & Collections Manager

AIC-CERT: AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION COLLECTIONS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM 610.667.0714 susanduhl@verizon.net

Susan Duhl is an Art Conservator and Collections Consultant, providing preservation consultations and conservation treatment for institutions and private individuals throughout the United States and internationally.

Emergency Response Team (AIC CERT). She responded immediately to

Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, as well as other emergency and disaster situations cultural institutions and private homes. Susan worked for FEMA as a Specialist Archives Consultant in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and wrote Mold Protocols for the Library of Congress.

Susan is a member of the American Institute for Conservation Collections

After Sandy: Disaster Recovery Workshop Presenter Bios New York Council for the Humanities

Julie Heath

Board Member
FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION OF HISTORIC AND ARTISTIC WORKS 508.688.4262 heathjheath@gmail.com

Julie Heath has been the Museum & Conservation Liaison for Tru Vue, Inc. since 2009, where she provides advice and support to museums on the technical properties and uses of glazing. Heath received a B.A. in Studio Art and a minor in Managerial Economics at the University of California at Davis, where she studied with Professor Wayne Thiebaud. After completing her M.F.A. in Painting from the University of New Hampshire, she taught painting and drawing courses in the Washington DC metro area. Her museum career began at the Smithsonian, where she served various roles in the Education, Curatorial, and Permanent Collection Database departments of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. When the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum reopened after a six year renovation, Heath spearheaded programs, interpretation, and outreach for the newly created Lunder Conservation Centera center focused on raising public awareness of conservation and preservation, which was conferred the Keck Award by the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works in 2008. During and since her time at the Lunder Center, she has advocated for art conservation through talks and education efforts, and has acted as an emissary for collections care concerns. She serves on the board of the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works and focuses on corporate development and individual giving strategies.

Lauren Kushnick

Manager of Grants and Technology

NEW YORK COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES 212.233.1131 grants@nyhumanities.org

Lauren Kushnick joined the Council in 2006 and in 2009 was promoted to Manager of Grants and Technology. She manages the Councils Project and Planning grants, and Special Grant Initiatives each year. Prospective grantees are welcome to give her a call to discuss proposal ideas, and other resources available to their organizations. Lauren also oversees the Councils technology investments including its website and social media presence, online applications. Before joining the Council, she worked at Pellechia, a jewelry design studio, as a designer and office assistant. Lauren graduated from Skidmore College in May 2005, with a B.A. in Art History, including a semester spent in London studying at the University College of Londons Art History department. She currently resides in Astoria, Queens.

After Sandy: Disaster Recovery Workshop Presenter Bios New York Council for the Humanities

Katy Malone

ArtsReady Project Manager

SOUTH ARTS 404.874.7244 x29 kmalone@southarts.org

Katy Malone is a visual artist from Georgia with an MFA in Studio Arts. Previously she worked in public art for three years, first at the Fulton County Arts Council then at the Airport Art Program of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. At the Airport she oversaw the customization of collection management software, and development of an online registry application process for the Programs artist roster. After the Airport Katy worked at an internet technology firm, SharpDot, as an administrative assistant where she learned about program management for application development. In January 2011, Katy joined the South Arts team as Program Director for touring exhibits and individual artist services. She was delighted when shortly after her arrival she was asked to take on the ArtsReady project as well. Katy still creates visual art of her own and occasionally teaches courses in studio art at colleges around Atlanta.

Linda Manley
Legal Director
Linda Manley oversees Lawyers Alliance's client representation services and manages the in-house attorney staff. Ms. Manley has significant experience in the areas of child care, elder services, mergers and strategic alliances, corporate restructuring, nonprofit governance, and coping with financial distress. She initiated Lawyers Alliance's Program Preservation Initiative, designed to help nonprofit organizations cope with the impact of the economic downturn. From 1997-2006, Ms. Manley was a Staff Attorney and Senior Staff Attorney at Lawyers Alliance. Previously, she was an Associate at the law firms of Jones Day and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, and she served as law clerk to Hon. Loretta A. Preska in the Southern District of New York. She received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1991 and B.A. magna cum laude from State University of New York at Albany in 1988. Her professional and community activities include serving on the Board of Trustees and at Grand Concourse Academy Charter School. Linda will address the legal issues nonprofit organizations are facing as they rebuild following Superstorm Sandy and consider how their organizations and communities can be better prepared for another natural disaster.
LAWYERS ALLIANCE NY 212.219.1800 x239 info@lawyersalliance.org

After Sandy: Disaster Recovery Workshop Presenter Bios New York Council for the Humanities

Jane McNamara

Director of Grants and Programs

NEW YORK COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES 212.233.1131 grants@nyhumanities.org

Jane McNamara is Director of Grants and Programs at the New York Council for the Humanities, where she oversees the Councils signature programs and grants as well as special outreach initiatives. Prior to joining the Council in December 2004, Jane was the Director of Education at the Los Angeles Conservancy, the largest local historic preservation organization in the country. Her previous positions include Associate Manager of Public Programs at the New York Public Library, Associate Head of Interpretation and Programs at the Museum of the City of New York, and Public Programs Coordinator at the Chicago Children's Museum. She has also served as a consultant for a range of organizations including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Place Matters, and the New York State Council for the Arts.

Diane Reiners

Volunter Agency Liaison

FEMA HOUSING RECOVERY TASK FORCE 347.626.9666 Diane.reiners@fema.dhs.gov

Diane Reiners is the FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) for Housing Recovery and Support to the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination (FDRC) team. Her work in Emergency Management spans more than a decade; she has worked in response and recovery in dozens of local and federally declared disasters and joined FEMA after a long career with the American Red Cross. Ordained in the Episcopal Church, Diane holds a Master of Divinity degree from General Theological Seminary and is an Assistant Priest at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City. The primary role of the FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison is to build relationships among Federal, State, and tribal governments and voluntary, faith-based, and community organizations, and to integrate voluntary organizations in individual and public assistance, operations, mitigation, preparedness, external affairs, recovery, and the National Disaster Recovery Framework.

After Sandy: Disaster Recovery Workshop Presenter Bios New York Council for the Humanities

Jenny Sharfstein Kane

MAYORS FUND TO ADVANCE NEW YORK CITY 212.788.4258 jkane@cityhall.nyc.gov

Jenny Sharfstein Kane is the Director of Programs at the Mayors Fund to Advance New York City, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designed to promote partnerships between the City and the private sector to support public programs. At the Mayors Fund she manages a portfolio of over 80 high-profile public-private partnerships and pilot programs on behalf of City Hall and over 40 City agencies in areas including the environment, youth development, health, financial empowerment, volunteerism, and the arts. Several of these collaborations are informing the efforts of cities across the country and are helping to shape national policy. The Mayor's Fund also plays an important role in supporting relief efforts in times of natural disaster. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Mayor's Fund accepted donations to meet immediate aid needs, as well as support longterm restoration efforts in New York City.

Prior to working at the Mayors Fund, Jenny served as Chief of Staff at the New York City Department of Transportation. She graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College and received a Masters degree in Social Policy and Planning with Highest Distinction from the London School of Economics.

Eva Wong

Program Director, Project HOPE

UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT 212.453.4535 ewong@universitysettlement.org

For the last decade, Eva Wong, LMHC has advocated for and worked with the diverse communities in the LES/Chinatown and Queens through her leadership in various non-profit organizations. Currently she is the Program Director of Project HOPE at University Settlement, providing free and confidential crisis counseling services to help New Yorkers cope with the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Prior to Project HOPE, Eva was a clinician and community educator for University Settlement's Butterflies Program, a mental health program designed for children under 5 and their families. In addition to University Settlement, Eva has worked with Restore NYC, New York City Rescue Mission and the Asian Health and Social Services Council. She is currently involved in the LES Long Term Recovery Group's efforts to assess and address unmet Sandy needs, and better prepare the LES/Chinatown communities for potential natural disasters. Always utilizing arts and culture as a means to engage with community members in order to promote recovery and wellness, Eva has led her staff to serve more than 20,000 individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy since December of 2012.

After Sandy: Disaster Recovery Workshop Presenter Bios New York Council for the Humanities