Dear River Enthusiasts,
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Siddhartha Sánchez as the new Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance.
We are thrilled to have Siddhartha as the next Executive Director of the Alliance to advance our mission of protecting, improving and restoring the Bronx River corridor. A lifelong environmentalist and community leader, Siddhartha brings decades of experience in resourcing grassroots organizations, leading philanthropic initiatives, and working to better communities across the Bronx.
Siddhartha’s passion for connecting communities to the Bronx River began in 2004 as a special advisor on environmental justice initiatives for Bronx Congressman José Serrano. Inspired by local community organizing initiatives to reclaim the river and its shores, Siddhartha advocated for federal resources to improve the ecology and access to the river, advancing the development of the Bronx River Greenway. A testament to his early passion for our work is Siddhartha’s efforts on behalf of the Congressman to reintroduce the first migratory fish to the Bronx River in 2007.
The Board is also excited to tap Siddhartha’s experience leading the first Bronx-focused philanthropic fund and deeply supporting local efforts to advance community, environmental and economic development. Recently, Siddhartha worked with Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice for over 6 years, supporting the growth of the Bronx River Foodway and other powerful activations of underutilized public spaces.
Siddhartha joins us after leading the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative (BCDI) as Interim Executive Director, galvanizing a broad community-based coalition to envision a “Bronxwide Plan” that is working towards economic development and community wealth generation, an initiative the Alliance endorses.
The Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Siddhartha Sánchez to his new role as the third Executive Director in the history of the organization, following Elena Conte, who served an appreciated extended term as Interim Executive Director. With this wealth of knowledge, talent, passion, and long standing commitment, we believe Siddhartha will have a deep impact on advancing our mission and leading the Alliance to new heights.
We hope you will join us – Siddhartha, and the full Bronx River Alliance staff and community – at the Amazing Bronx River Flotilla on May 4th!
In Community,
Nilka Martell,
Board Chair, Bronx River Alliance
