RXR Realty and WeWork Proudly Presents
in partnership with Commercial Observer
PRIDE Cocktails and Conversation!
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
75 Rockefeller Plaza | 7:30pm | Convene Floor 31
Join us for a PRIDE panel & discussion with a focus on inclusivity, allyship, and the overall support and celebration of New York City Real Estate’s LGBTQ+ Community. Panelists to include members from Airbnb, Convene, Cushman & Wakefield, and WeWork.
Meet the Panel --
- Josh Meltzer: Head of Northeast Public Policy at Airbnb
Josh Meltzer is the head of Northeast public policy for Airbnb, leading the company's efforts to champion common sense home sharing regulations in New York. Throughout his career, Josh has worked to advance equality for all, and specifically for the LGBTQ community. Prior to joining Airbnb, Josh was the Communications Director for the Empire State Pride Agenda and a senior advisor to Jon Stryker, one of the largest political donors to LGBTQ rights campaigns. In both roles, he played a crucial role in the advocacy that led to the passage of the marriage equality bill in New York in 2011 -- and arguably, led to the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on marriage equality in 2015. The success of the marriage equality movement in New York continues to inspire and influence his work to this day. Josh was also the Deputy Chief of Staff for former New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, where he guided the administration's research, strategic communications and coordination with other government agencies as well as its legislative efforts. A graduate of the University of Southern California and a Fulbright scholar, Josh lives in Brooklyn with his dog, Warren.
- Taryn Miller-Stevens: VP, Community & Programming at Convene
Taryn Miller-Stevens is Vice President of Community at Convene. As a business, community, and change catalyst, Taryn leads Convene’s strategy to build a sense of belonging and spark human potential in Convene workplaces and cities. Prior to Convene, Taryn drove social impact partnerships and programming at Change.org, Matter, StartingBloc, Omnicom, and GET//OUT, an equality enterprise she co-founded in 2014. Taryn is a graduate of Tufts University and holds a masters degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. She lives in New York City with her wife and stepsons.
- Charles McClellan: Sr. Director of Technology & National UNITY Co-Chair at Cushman & Wakefield
Charles McClellan is a Sr. Director of Technology at Cushman & Wakefield, focused on marketing, sales, and relationship enabling technologies. He is also a founding leader of the Unity (LGBTQ) employee resource group and currently serves as their national co-chair. Charles is a graduate of the University of Texas, and now lives in Chicago with his husband Jeremy and their dog Reggie.
- Sam Lee: SVP, Head of Growth at WeWork
Sam Lee is the Senior Vice President & Head of Growth at WeWork, an exponential start-up that is redefining the way people live and work. A recognized growth leader, Sam and his team are charged with accelerating WeWork's membership and revenue growth through data-driven insight, product innovation, growth strategy, and sales and account management. Prior to joining WeWork in 2016, Sam held various strategy and general management roles in the financial services (Goldman Sachs) and consumer Internet industries (AOL). Sam is a board member, advisor, and investor in various venture-backed and non-profit organizations that span the technology, education, and healthcare industries. He also is a Limited Partner & Board Member at Redesign Health, a venture studio that is launching consumer healthcare businesses to improve access and patient experience. In 2019, Sam was inducted into the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders Program, a five-year launchpad to groom public, private, and non-profit leaders for careers of service and impact. Sam holds a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy and Hispanic Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
Opening remarks by Scott Rechler: Chairman & CEO at RXR Realty
Moderated by Justin LaCoursiere: Director, Digital Communications & Social Programming at RXR Realty
Show your PRIDE --
RXR will be accepting donations for PRIDE hats, with proceeds going to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In support the LGBTQ+ community and World PRIDE, RXR will also be illuminating the Helmsley Building (June 24-30) and Pier57 (June 29 & 30) in rainbow.
RXR Realty has launched a first-of-a-kind industry initiative -- Social Impact Month -- to drive awareness and discussion around social issues impacting the community. RXR is partnering with social causes and hosting events in some of its properties throughout the month of June.
