Historic House Trust Staff

Haley Besser
Public Engagement CoordinatorHaley is the communications queen of HHT. After graduating with a degree in Public Relations from West Virginia University, she dove into the world of celebrity publicity in Los Angeles. However, her love of Broadway and interest in history brought her back to the East Coast where she proudly promotes 23 extraordinary pieces of NYC’s past.

Matthew Coody
Director of External AffairsMatthew manages fundraising, communications, public programs, and special projects. After studying architecture and historic preservation at the University of Texas and Columbia University, Matthew embarked on a career in NYC’s non-profit world. His ideal day includes some combination of snorkeling and old buildings.

Derek Dandurand
Deputy Director of Historic HousesDerek, a NYC Parks employee, oversees the HHT Capital Team, which manages capital projects and property maintenance. Prior to joining HHT, he worked with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and the New Jersey Historic Trust. He holds a BS & MS in Historic Preservation from Roger Williams University.

Giulietta Fiore
Development AssociateGiulietta is responsible for a variety of fundraising and engagement initiatives at HHT. She attended McGill University and has a background in archaeology and house museum management. A beginner open water swimmer, she hopes to one day swim past the Little Red Lighthouse.

John Krawchuk
Executive DirectorJohn has long practiced historic preservation in the public service sector, with over 20 years at NYC Parks. He is a registered landscape architect with an MS in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. John enjoys exploring the diverse neighborhoods of NYC and discovering hidden historic gems, in addition to spending time with his partner and their dog Delilah at their Modernist home in Fire Island.

Danielle Monopoli
Project Development Coordinator for Historic HousesDanielle, a NYC Parks employee, coordinates all routine and emergency maintenance as part of the HHT Capital Team. Before joining HHT, Danielle received a BA in Anthropology from Drew University and an MS in Historic Preservation from Pratt Institute.

Erin White
Administrative CoordinatorErin keeps the day-to-day operations of the HHT office running smoothly, from scheduling meetings and managing finances to occasionally providing snacks. She studied Anthropology at the University of Vermont and is an avid ballroom dancer and dedicated bookworm.
Board of Directors

- Lisa Ackerman
Chair - Franny Eberhart
Vice Chair - Renee Ring
Vice Chair - Gary Ross
Secretary - Scott L. Sanders
Treasurer - Christopher Shyer
Board Development - Cynthia C. Wainwright
Vice Chair - Suzanne Stirn Ainslie
- Myra J. Biblowit
- Catherine Bradley
- Diana Chapin
- Wanda Chin
- Betty Cohen
- Kevin Dieterich
- Michael Goldblum
- John C. Gustafsson
- Shirley Hackel
- Theodore S. Hammer
- Theresa Osborne
- Paul R. Provost
- Francesca Romano
- Richard W. Southwick
- David E. Stutzman
- Dr. Nicole E. Vartanian
- Linda Yowell
- Thérèse Braddick
Ex-Officio, Dep. Commr. of Capital Projects, NYC Parks - Gonzalo Casals
Ex-Officio, Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs - Jonathan Kuhn
Ex-Officio, Director of Art & Antiquities, NYC Parks - Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP
Ex-Officio, Commissioner, NYC Parks
Directors’ Council
- Mona Abdelfatah
- Adrian Benepe
- William L. Bernhard
- Julie Blackburn
- Susan Berotti Boscarino
- Olivia Cothren
- Alice B. Diamond
- Bruce D. Dixon
- Jamie Drake
- Arthur Norman Field
- Amy Freitag
- Nonnie Frelinghuysen
- Donald Friedman
- Dr. Charlotte Pickman Gertz
- Dr. Robin Harper
- Margize Howell
- Kenneth T. Jackson
- Lucy Kennedy
- Regina T. Kraft
- Deborah Krulewitch
Chair Emerita - Jack T. Linn
- Joseph Pierson
- Robert C. Quinlan
- Jesse Y. Ramos
- Cordell Reaves
- Frank E. Sanchis III
- Gretchen Sorin
- Joan N. Taubner
- Eric K. Washington
Join the Team
Interested in working with us? Click below for more information on current employment opportunities and internships.