Nonprofit leaders, veterans: Stamford mayor-elect Caroline Simmons unveils policy team heads
Stamford Advocate By Brianna Gurciullo
STAMFORD — Mayor-elect Caroline Simmons on Wednesday unveiled the leaders of 10 committees that will craft policy recommendations over the coming weeks for her administration’s first 100 days and beyond.
Fran Pastore, the CEO and founder of the Women’s Business Development Council, and Simon Koster of Digital Currency Group will co-chair a committee focused on economic development. Michael Fedele, a former lieutenant governor, and David Kooris, the president of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, will co-chair an infrastructure and environmental resiliency committee. City Rep. Megan Cottrell, D-4, and Alice Knapp, Ferguson Library’s president, will co-chair a committee on citizen services.
Stephanie O’Shea, a former president of the Stamford Parent Teacher Council, and Bianca Shinn-Desras of Domus Kids will co-chair an education policy committee. Joan Carty, the president and CEO of the Housing Development Fund, and Denise Williams, the CEO of Inspirica Inc., will chair an affordability and housing committee. Judge Mary Sommer and Kyle Houser, who serves as legislative representative for the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association, will co-chair a committee on public safety.
The Rev. Tommie Jackson of Rehoboth Fellowship Church, and Carmen Hughes, the founder, and CEO of Edelweise Consulting, will co-chair a committee on equity and inclusion. Dennis Torres, Family Centers’ chief health officer, and Anka Badurina, the executive director of Building One Community, will co-chair a committee on public health. Hubert Delaney and Thomas Finn, both of whom are veterans, will chair a veterans affairs committee.