Board & Staff

Hudson Square BID Staff

Ellen Baer has been the Hudson Square BID’s President and CEO since its official opening on July 1, 2009. She is ultimately responsible for all the BID’s activities and reports directly to the BID’s Board of Directors. Under her direction, the BID has led Hudson Square’s transformation from a 20^th century industrial district to an authentic 21^st century neighborhood characterized by environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Prior to joining the Hudson Square BID, Ellen developed and implemented public-private real estate partnerships in New York City and nationally for over 25 years. She spent two years as Senior Vice President for Development Strategies at the Tarragon Development Corporation, which she joined after 12 years as a Partner at the economic development and real estate consulting firm of HRA Advisors, Inc. Previously, her career in New York City government spanned 14 years during which she served as Chief of Staff to the First Deputy Mayor, Vice President for Waterfront Development at the Public (now Economic) Development Corporation and Director of the Concessions Division for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Ellen is currently a board member of the NYC BID Managers Association, advocating for issues of importance to the City’s 76 BIDs and to the thousands of businesses they represent. She is a former Board member of Women Executives in Real Estate (WX), Gay Men’s Health Crisis, and the International Economic Development Council. Ellen holds a BA from Hamilton College and an MBA from Baruch College.

Ellen is a big Yankee and Jet fan, a lover of the spoken and written word, and a political junkie.

Suzy Changar is the 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, listening to live music and has the gift of gab.

Corey Kunz is the 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.

Jacob McNally is the Director 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.

Nina Yabut is the Senior Operations Assistant for the Hudson Square BID. She serves as the BID’s liaison with city agencies and oversees the BID’s maintenance, landscaping and Pedestrian Safety Managers contracts.

Prior to joining the BID, Nina was the Assistant for the Doe Fund’s EDC Partnership. She was responsible for all of the program’s administrative functions such as processing monthly invoices and tracking employee schedules. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Washington.

Nina enjoys reading, running and spending time with her family and friends.

Emily Goldstein is the Planning Associate at the Hudson Square BID. She is responsible for all data management, analysis and mapping relating to Hudson Square’s streetscapes and public spaces.

An NYC transplant hailing from North Carolina, Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with minors in Public Policy and City Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining the BID, Emily worked in planning and research at the Times Square Alliance.

In her free time, Emily enjoys gardening, fostering neonatal kittens, looking at art and sometimes attempting to make it.

Matthew Melendez is the Marketing Coordinator at the Hudson Square BID. He is responsible for updating and maintaining the BID’s website and social media pages with editorial content, photos, and information on local events. Additionally, he is tasked with writing newsletters and e-blasts to facilitate better communication internally and externally.

Prior to the Hudson Square BID, Matt worked in sales and marketing for Krossover Intelligence, where he served as the liaison between the sales and marketing teams, developed and executed direct and digital marketing strategies, social media content, and marketing collateral.

Matt holds Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Delaware in Marketing and Sport Management as well as a Master of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in Marketing Management from Pace University.

In his free time, Matt enjoys attending sporting events, concerts, and Broadway shows.