Greta R. Strong, EdD, MPA’04, MSc, BBA’02

Dr. Greta R. Strong is a distinguished educator and community leader. She serves as an Assistant Professor of Community Outreach Teaching in the Department of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College, where she chairs the Committee for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Dr. Strong is also a registered Stroke Advocate with the National Stroke Association and directs the “Hope for Stroke” support group. In collaboration with the New York State Commission on Human Rights, she serves as Course Director for Bystander Intervention Training.

Beyond her work at Weill Cornell, Dr. Strong holds multiple academic roles. She is a Dissertation Committee Chair and Member in the Doctor of Education Program at St. John Fisher University and an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Public Administration Program at Metropolitan College of New York. Additionally, she teaches courses in pastoral counseling and leadership in church ministry at the WorldWide Christian Leadership Academy.

Michael J. Garner, MBA

Michael J. Garner, MBA, was appointed New York City’s first Citywide Chief Business Diversity Officer by Mayor Eric Adams on February 16, 2023. Previously, he served as the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York State for 14 years, from February 2009 to February 2023. Garner is a dedicated diversity champion with a personal and professional mission to foster a more inclusive business environment.

Throughout his career, Garner has significantly influenced New York City and the State’s legislative laws and created innovative MWDBE (Minority, Women, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) and SDVOB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business) programs. His efforts, along with his teams at the City of New York, the MTA, and the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), have facilitated over $23 billion in payments to Minority and Women-owned Businesses. At the MTA, he increased the hiring of Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians by 20% across its six operating agencies.

Garner designed the leading Small Business Construction Mentoring Program in the country, which has transformed North America’s largest transportation system. This program has awarded 575 contracts totaling $620 million to its participants. Overall, Garner’s initiatives have resulted in over $17.3 billion paid to New York State-certified MWBEs during his tenure at the MTA.

David Schwartz

David Schwartz is a co-founder and principal of Slate Property Group. He has over twenty years of experience buying, developing, and operating real estate across the United States. He currently runs all development and construction projects for Slate Property Group and shares responsibility for all acquisitions and investment decisions.

David also leads Slate’s impact investing with a focus on affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Slate is the leader in housing for low-income and formerly homeless individuals and families in New York City. Slate partners with the leading non-profits in New York City, including Women in Need, Project Renewal, Bowery Resident Committee, Westham and many others.

Slate has developed and invested in over $6 billion in real estate. Slate is developing over $2 billion in real estate throughout New York City, representing over 2,000 apartments, and has a portfolio valued at over $3 billion. Slate’s partners have included the Carlyle Group, AEW Capital Management, The Baupost Group, Fortress and many others.