Board & Staff

Samara Karasyk joined the Hudson Square BID as President and CEO in November 2021. She is ultimately responsible for all of the BID’s activities and reports directly to the BID’s board of directors. She has more than two decades of experience in private/public partnerships, diverse team management, communications, public affairs, intergovernmental relations, policy-making, and project management.

Previously, Samara was the 5-Borough Chamber of Commerce Lead for the NYC Small Business Resource Network and oversaw a $2.8 million private/public partnership funded by the Peter G Peterson Foundation in collaboration with all 5 borough chambers of commerce, the NYC Economic Development Corporation and the Partnership for New York City. She was also Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Before her work at the Chamber, Samara worked for the government of New York City for many years, including the NYC DOT, TLC, Parks and Finance departments.

Samara has a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Hispanic Studies from Brown University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University.

Samara enjoys spending time with her family in Brooklyn, walking everywhere, eating delicious food, running, reading novels, and wonking out on local politics and policy.

Suzy Changar is the Senior Vice President of Marketing + Communications at the Hudson Square BID. She is responsible for creating a marketing campaign and press strategy, with the goal of putting Hudson Square on the map by beautifying the area and enlivening the streets, creating a green, connected and environmentally sustainable community, and increasing retail offerings and Hudson Square’s general desirability as a commercial location.

Before joining the Hudson Square BID, Suzy was a freelancer on two projects – the River To River Festival in which she developed a local marketing and press campaign which garnered close to two billion impressions in the last two years, and the International Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences, where she coordinated a three-day business-to-business festival for television executives from around the world. During her early career, Suzy worked in the music industry coordinating events and tours nationally and internationally. Suzy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the American University.

Suzy loves spending time with her Australian Sheppard Fozzy, Yorkie Coconut, listening to live music and has the gift of gab.

Corey Kunz is the Senior Vice President of Administration + Operations at the Hudson Square BID. He is responsible for the BID’s operations and budgeting.

Prior to joining the Hudson Square BID, Corey was the Director of Operations at the Citizens Budget Commission. Corey’s responsibilities included oversight of the annual dinner, external events, board recruitment, human resources, and budget.

Corey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brown University and a Master’s Degree in Politics and Education from Columbia University.

Corey enjoys running, traveling and live music.

Jamiya Leach is the Digital Marketing + Communications Associate at the Hudson Square BID. She is responsible for the BID’s digital presence and media management.

Prior to joining the Hudson Square BID, Jamiya served as the Development + Communications Associate at Arts Ignite, an arts education non-profit where she led digital communications and supported fundraising efforts. She holds a Master’s Degree in Media Studies from The New School.

Jamiya loves filmmaking and enjoys finding new hobbies to pick up and then forget. Her current obsession: sewing.

Sean Lewin is the Operations Associate at the Hudson Square BID. He is responsible for the BID’s operations.

Prior to joining the Hudson Square BID, Sean was a Contracts Associate for the Legal Department at WeWork. Sean’s responsibilities included buy-side commercial contract review, co-managing the global NDA process and assisting with the legal contract integration of acquired companies.

Sean holds a BSBA in Business Law from Drexel University.

Sean enjoys running, Vietnamese food and the NY Rangers.

Jacob McNally is the Vice President of Planning + Capital Projects at the Hudson Square BID. He is responsible for developing and implementing projects and initiatives to improve the streetscape environment and enhance public space throughout the neighborhood.

Prior to joining the BID, Jake served as a fellow at the New York City Parks Department where he coordinated with internal divisions to analyze program performance, improve operational tracking methods, and support the development of job training programs. He holds a Master’s Degree in City & Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Binghamton University.

Jake enjoys running, jazz and exploring new neighborhoods.

Carson Menkes is the Planning Associate at the Hudson Square BID.

Prior to joining the BID, Carson served as a summer fellow with The Savannah Tree Foundation where she led analysis of canopy health and tree planting impact across Chatham County. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies from Yale University.

Carson enjoys spending her time trying new restaurants, watching movies in the theatre, and crocheting.