Leadership

Elizabeth “Betsy” Smith was appointed in March 2018 as President & CEO of the Central Park Conservancy where she oversees strategic planning, park operations, capital programming, public programming, development, and marketing and communication strategies. With the Conservancy’s 40-year restoration of Central Park now largely complete, her focus is on creating a plan that addresses the massive use of the Park while fostering continued stewardship through a commitment to financial sustainability, operational excellence and engaged governance.

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Serving as the Park’s chief landscape architect since 1996, Mr. Nolan provides leadership and direction for the physical planning effort and restoration program of the Park. Additionally, Mr. Nolan is the Central Park Administrator, a city-appointed position responsible for the management of the Park. He joined the Conservancy in 1989 and is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Mr. Spinelli sets the Conservancy’s financial policy and direction while also serving as an active participant in, and driver of, the organization’s overall strategy. He leads all financial administration, business planning, human resources, information technology, and compliance functions. Mr. Spinelli joined the Conservancy in 1993; prior to his role as CFO, he held the positions of Vice President for Finance, Director of Capital Projects, and Deputy Chief of Operations.

Ms. Caraccioli is responsible for the direction and leadership of the Conservancy’s marketing, public relations, and internal communications across all platforms, and messaging for all institutional initiatives, programs, and events. Prior to joining the Conservancy, she served as Chief Communications Officer at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and worked as a reporter, broadcast anchor, and news executive at a variety of media outlets, including ABC, CNBC, FOX, Comcast, and Al Jazeera America.

Mr. Hassett is responsible for strategic and operational leadership on all matters related to Park operations, including Park maintenance, facility operations, landscape management, community relations, visitor services, and public programs. He is a seasoned operations executive with more than 25 years of experience managing world-renowned sports, entertainment and performing arts facilities, including Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Yankee Stadium, and Giants Stadium/Continental Airlines Arena.

Ms. Ortiz is responsible for the daily operations of the Finance office, which includes reporting, budgeting, managing internal controls and procedures, and preparing the organization’s financial statements and tax returns. Her prior experience includes public accounting at both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting from Baruch College.

A city planner with a background in public space improvement and historic preservation, Ms. Addonizio is responsible for managing the physical planning effort and restoration program for the Park. Her experience prior to joining the Conservancy in 2002 includes campus planning for Harvard University, and public space projects and research at Cityscape Institute, where she worked with Conservancy founder Elizabeth Barlow Rogers.

Mr. Dillon is responsible for program management and daily operations of Central Park. Over the last 15 years at the Conservancy, he has served as a Section Supervisor, Turf Care Manager, Director of Horticulture, Associate Vice President of Landscape Management, and Vice President of Park Operations. Mr. Dillon is a graduate of the Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School.

Ms. Healy is responsible for the management, operations, and strategic planning for key fundraising areas of the Conservancy including Major Gifts, Individual Giving and Membership, Corporate Development, and Institutional and Planned Giving.

Ms. Huber is responsible for administration and cross-departmental management to align all park-based functions with organizational goals and objectives. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Ms. Huber worked in the public realm, both in the museum field and at NYC Parks.

Ms. Porter is responsible for directing the fiscal functions for the Conservancy, including oversight of accounting, financial analysis and reporting, investment analysis, capital and operating budgeting, and audit and tax activities. Prior to joining the Conservancy, she worked at several global companies in finance and business planning, including Nokia, Microsoft, and Sony Music, and has consulted for smaller entrepreneurial ventures. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Long Island University and a master's degree from The New School.

Ms. Lout oversees the Institute’s work to provide thought leadership and professional development programming to urban park professionals. Prior to joining the Conservancy, she developed and managed strategy and programming for a variety of organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, The Museum of the City of New York, and New Yorkers for Parks.