Marcel Van Ooyen is the President and CEO of GrowNYC and former Legislative Director for the New York City Council.
Mr. Van Ooyen took leadership of GrowNYC in 2006 and under his leadership, GrowNYC has vastly expanded its efforts with new initiatives including: Fresh Food Box - a weekly affordable food mix for low-income residents, teen run farm stands in underserved communities, and NYC’s first all local food hub: Greenmarket Co. GrowNYC’s Food Stamp in the Farmers’ Market initiative is considered a National model, with $1,000,000 in SNAP sales in 2013. Marcel has also spearheaded the development of new programs in response to needs in our city, including Grow to Learn NYC: Citywide School Gardens Initiative, a public public-private partnership with the Mayor’s Office created to inspire, promote and facilitate the creation of sustainable school gardens in every New York City public school.
Marcel earned his degree at the University of California Irvine and has his JD from Seattle University School of Law. He is the former Legislative Director for the New York City Council, where he wrote and ensured the adoption of more than 30 environmental laws.
Founded in London in 1995 as a private members’ club for people in the creative industries, Soho House & Co has since opened clubs across Europe, North America and Asia, as well as restaurants, cinemas, workspaces, spas and bedrooms.
Everard Findlay blends branding and social innovation to empower CEOs, heads of state, and thought leaders to invest in a future that benefits citizens, the environment, and society as a whole while building profitability and growth.
Findlay has served on the board of GrowNYC, the Council for the Environment of New York City since 2009 and is currently Communications Chair. He is a founding trustee of The Museum of the Courageous, NeueHouse, tenured board member of Soho House, UNDP Turning Tables, Dartmouth College’s Institute for Cross-engagement, The New York Times’ Friends of TimesTalks Committee and The National Center for Children in Poverty.
