Our Team
Barbara Davaros has been working with the Randall’s Island Park Alliance since 2022 and currently oversees the Horticulture department as the Horticulture Manager. Barbara has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Conservation Biology from the State University of New York at Oneonta and a Masters of Professional Studies in Applied Ecology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She has experience in Botanical Science and Plant Ecology and is very well-versed in the horticultural operations that occur here at the park. Barbara loves seeing the park come to life with both park patrons and wildlife as a direct result of maintaining some of the park’s natural spaces!
Christopher Girgenti first joined the RIPA team in 2012 and has served as the Director of Environmental Programs since 2021. He brings a strong background in ecological restoration, public green space management, and urban sustainability to the organization. Chris’ prior roles have laid a solid foundation for his leadership in connecting communities with their environment and promoting environmental resiliency efforts at RIPA. Leading the Natural Areas, Urban Farm, and Public Programs departments, Chris focuses on urban resilience, public engagement, and community health, notably through the Park-as-Lab program and coastal restoration efforts. His journey reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship,
enhancing New York City’s green spaces.
Chris has a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Duke University and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Sarah Lawrence College. When not working, he enjoys spending time on the water along the city’s 520 miles of shoreline.
Michael Gonzales brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit management, specializing in stewardship and cultivation. His background includes city park operations, event planning, and partnership development with Central Park. Michael has a successful track record with fundraising and relationship-building, with a deep knowledge of and appreciation for urban green spaces and park culture. He manages a diverse portfolio of individual, corporate, and institutional donors and helps to oversee several development events, including RIPA’s annual Gala.
Michael holds a BA from SUNY Stony Brook and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management. His volunteer work includes contributions to Island Harvest Food Bank, New York Cares, Governors Island, Central Park, and RIPA’s Urban Farm. He is also an advocate for various arts and social justice organizations. Additionally, Michael is a five-time international marathon runner and an admittedly subpar dog walker to Mimi, his French Bulldog.
As the Public Programs Manager here at RIPA, Anna Kemeny manages the park’s recreational, educational, and volunteer programming and collaborates with numerous community partners. She also plans and facilitates programs, from weekly yoga to our Harvest
Festival and builds partnerships with community-based organizations and coalitions. Anna has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English from the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College. Anna also has an in-depth background in programming that advances public health and access to open space. She has worked at RIPA in various roles since 2017, and has been running, biking, and attending yoga in the park since 2015.
As Natural Areas manager for RIPA, Doug oversees the restoration, maintenance, and educational initiatives for the island’s dynamic natural ecosystems, including the Little Hellgate Salt Marsh and the Freshwater Marsh, maritime grassland meadows, and urban forest spaces. Doug and his team strive to keep these valuable habitats protected, productive, and accessible for the enjoyment of the many nature enthusiasts in our community as well as the thousands of school children who visit year-round for environmental education and research opportunities.
Doug has a Bachelor’s Degree in Writing from SUNY Oswego, is a certified ISA Arborist, and previously worked as an NYC Urban Park Ranger and as a greeter and educator at Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island. He has been a member of the Natural Areas team at RIPA in various roles since 2021. Doug loves hiking and biking around the city and its surrounding environs any chance he gets.
Benjamin Nash serves as the Director of Grounds at the Randall’s Island Park Alliance. He oversees the Sports Field and Horticulture departments. In this role, Ben ensures 60+ athletic fields, our gardens, meadows, and green streets are maintained at a high-level for all to safely enjoy.
Ben joined the RIPA team as the Sports Field Manager in 2017 and has a strong knowledge of the Park’s green spaces and operations. He was promoted to the Director of Grounds position in November 2021.
Ben has in-depth experience in the golf course and landscaping industries and applies his skillset to his position here at RIPA. Ben also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Turf Management from SUNY College of Technology.
Ciara Sidell (aka Farmer C) is the Urban Farm Manager at the Randall’s Island Park Alliance. In this role, Ciara guides the Urban Farm’s operations, from agriculture and infrastructure to education and programming. As a lifelong New Yorker committed to growing food in educational spaces in NYC, they have farmed at the Queens County Farm Museum, taught with City Growers on Brooklyn Grange’s rooftop farms, and managed Harlem Grown’s network of growing spaces. Joining RIPA in 2019, Ciara brought with her extensive experience and a deep enthusiasm for RIPA’s Urban Farm– a growing space designed completely with teaching and learning in mind.
Off the farm, you can find Farmer C on Sesame Street (S52 E24), playing non-competitive sports (often with RIPA colleagues), and getting their adrenaline fix biking on city streets.
Ciara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food and Environmental Studies from Wheaton College in MA, is a proud NYC Master Composter, a 2021 Hunter College 40 under 40: NYC Food Policy honoree, and a 2021 Forefront Fellow with the Urban Design Forum.
Bio Coming Soon!
Samuel Vincenzo serves as the Sports Field Manager at the Randall’s Island Park Alliance. Sam joined the RIPA team as the Ballfield Technician in 2019 and was promoted to the Sports Field Manager role in early 2022. He manages the Sports Field department and helps to ensure that our 60+ athletic fields are well-maintained for park patrons to play on.
Previously, Sam has worked as an Athletic Field Specialist and has also served as the Manager of Grounds for the minor league baseball team, the New York Boulders! Sam applies his board understanding of ballfields and turf grass maintenance to his position.
Sam holds an Associate’s degree in Turf Grass Management from Potomac State College and a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from St. Thomas Aquinas College.