9/13/2020: John Catsimatidis, Red Apple Group

Child of immigrant parents, his parents cried when he dropped out of college, the man who "wanted to be a success," entrepreneur and innovator John Catsimatidis

September 20, 2020: James Simmons, Asland Capital Partners, Part I

October 4, 2020: Marci Waterman, Sterling Risk, Sterling Analytics..

October 11, 2020: Rock Positano: Dinner with DiMaggio

October 18, 2020: Stewart Lane

Stewart F. Lane, six time Tony winner -

October 25, 2020: Chef Marc Murphy

November 1, 2020: Marcy Syms, Syms Foundation

Activist. author, philanthropist, known for the motto - "an educated consumer is our best customer" - Marcy Syms, former CEO of Syms Corp and president of the Syms Foundation

November 8, 2020: Richard Richman, The Richman Group

November 15, 2020: Alexa Sewell, Settlement Housing Fund

Alexis Sewell tells a great story-a NY/American talk-about her immigrant family, Greek and Italian, their talents and contribution to America's history. Sewell discusses the Settlement Housing Fund, building affordable housing with strong communities.

November 22, 2020: John Usdan, Midwood Investment & Development

John Usdan describes his grandfather, Samuel Lemberg, as a "most humble, self-effacing, down-to-earth" person; a believer in giving-back. Mr. Lemberg was devoted to charity, as is the family, today, to philanthropy in primarily education and the arts. Usdan discusses the growth of the company, founded by his grandfather in Midwood, Brooklyn, which he has managed since 1981, upon his grandfather's retirement.

November 29, 2020: James O’Neal, Legal Outreach

James O'Neal describes his family's history: his grandparents - the tailor, the laborer; his parents - college graduates and teachers, committed to education for their children. O'Neal's not-for-profit organization, Legal Outreach, provides young people with skills, support, and exposure to college, graduate schools and numerous careers

January 3, 2021: Gordon Crane, Apple & Eve

Gordon Crane, self-described as "... a hippie, a flower child" reminds us of the 60s and 70s - drugs, Vietnam War protests; a difficult time to plan one's future. Encouraged to own his business, Crane, working with his family, developed and expanded Apple & Eve Juices, available in supermarkets, today.

January 10, 2021 Marc Altheim, Co-Founder, Atlantic Development Group

Growing up "in a bubble," Marc Altheim describes his college years here and study abroad as life changing experiences - coming out of the bubble - enabling him to be more serious about his life, leading to work with H.E.L.P. USA, affordable and supportive housing and later, with assisted living facilities

January 17, 2021: Debra Tantleff, Tantum Real Estate

Introduced as a woman real estate developer who can build buildings, Debra Tantleff describes her childhood, traditional upbringing, education, and current place in an unlikely profession for a woman. Listed in the Top 40 Real Estate Executives in New Jersey, Tantleff names the "remarkable women" in her life, the "bosses" and mentors, the steps she took to open a certified Women's Business Enterprise, her own construction and redevelopment company.

January 24, 2021: Alan Dern, CEO, The One Stop Property Group

His tenacity and a little luck have helped Alan Dern overcome personal misfortune and later, business set-backs. With his family and supportive friends, Dern has developed businesses working with industries requiring commercial space, warehouses, storage, manufacturing and office space.

January 31, 2021: Alison Gross, Daintree Advisory LLC

In the mid 1800's, two families leave Poland, settle in Manchester, England, where their children, who met as toddlers in Manchester Jewish School, marry, beginning Alison Gross' family history. Fast-forward to today - as president of Daintree Advisory, Gross provides innovative approaches and strategic planning to major companies for long-term growth.

February 14, 2021” Steven J. Frucht, M.D. Institute Director, Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders, NYU Langone Health

Discussing his family's musical ability, Dr. Steven Frucht relies on family tales of generations of musicians, who have blessed him with perfect pitch, all lost in the Holocaust. Piano, violin, the Tanglewood Music Festival, Leonard Bernstein or science and Harvard medical school - which route to follow

March 21, 2021: Patrice Derrington

Australian born Patrice Derrington has combined her expertise in business, architecture, real estate and education in support of numerous projects including VP of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, during New York's recovery efforts after 9/11. Derrington describes the focus of her work, questioning how people can ever get on their feet - on equal footing - with those who have stable shelter.

Guest List

Patrice Derrington Holliday Associate Professor of Real Estate, Director, Real Estate Development Program, Columbia University

April 25, 2021; :Life of Bruce Schanzer, Cedar Realty Trust

Bruce Schanzer brings us back to World War II, as he describes his father and his uncle's (identical twins) childhood, their journey from Belgium to "Free France,"

forged documents, refuge in a castle, the help and generosity of the French Underground, and finally, their life in America.

Guest List

Bruce J. Schanzer President & CEO, Cedar Realty Trust

May 9, 2021: Noam Wasserman, Dean, Sy Syms School of Business, Yeshiva University

As a young man, Noam Wasserman was given advice: to slow down - to recognize that it's more important to do things right than to do things fast. This suggestion contributed to his helping build a Jewish community, to academic achievements, and to success in bringing together business, technology, and life-cycle consulting. Author of two books, in 2009, Wasserman became dean at Yeshiva University.

May 23, 2023: Vernon Hill, Chairman & CEO, Republic Bank

May 23, 2021: Vernon Hill, Republic Bank

May 30, 2021: Nadir Settles, Nuveen

Nadir Settles grew up in the Bronx, part of a large family, with an aunt or older cousin always available to help out when his mother worked long hours. An entrepreneur from childhood, Nadir and his brother created jobs to help support "kids' extras." A St. John's and Villanova graduate, Settles discusses INROADS, the not-for-profit pipeline program, and its contribution to his professional development.

Guest List

Nadir Settles Managing Director, NY Region, Nuveen Real Estate

June 27, 2021: Stephen Siegel, Chairman, Global Brokerage, CBRE

Stephen Siegel's reputation as a super broker may only be exceeded by his philanthropic activity. Born in the Bronx, Mr. Siegel graduated from Monroe High School at 15 - SP and skipping a few grades - worked at the local candy store, and at 17, took a job as a real-estate broker, becoming, at 37, the company's chairman and CEO. Cushman & Wakefield, ESG, CBRE: just the beginning of Stephen Siegel's career, generosity, well-deserved honors and accolades.