Grand Street BID Welcomes Francesca as new Executive Director

The Grand Street BID is proud to announce the arrival of our new Executive Director, Francesca Bruce!

Francesca Bruce, Executive Director

Yaz and Francesca

Francesca, a native New Yorker, is passionate about empowering communities. After college and several years teaching abroad, she returned to pursue a Master's in Urban Planning at CUNY Hunter College, to further the cause of social and environmental justice. While studying, she managed a small business, worked with the Port Authority of NY NJ, and finally with the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, providing pandemic assistance to under-resourced small businesses. In 2022, she became a Borough Planner at NYC Department of City Planning, to develop a deeper understanding of the policies that shape our neighborhoods.

Missing hands-on community work, however, she leapt at the chance to serve the Grand Street BID alongside a rich tapestry of friends, neighbors, and small businesses. She looks forward to lending her passion to Grand Street's mission, and to helping build a safer, more beautiful and inclusive community.

In her spare time, Francesca practices yoga, painting, pottery, cooking, volunteers in her local community garden, and is a devoted dog parent. She loves meeting new people, and hopes you'll stop by the office and say hello!

Executive Director Erin Piscopink Says Goodbye

Dear Grand Street Community,

After nearly six years with the Grand Street BID, I am stepping down as Executive Director at the end of this month. I have deeply enjoyed my time both with the organization and as part of this community. I am so proud of all we’ve accomplished together! I am particularly proud of the work we have done in the public realm. Our supplemental sanitation program remains one of our core services; we have made great strides in planting and caring for the flowers in our tree beds; and our public arts programming reflects our neighborhood while adding beauty to the district.

I am confident that Yaz Mansi, our Community Engagement Manager, will continue to serve the neighborhood well under new leadership and know that our Board of Directors maintains their commitment to caring for the community through their search for the new Executive Director and their ongoing stewardship of the organization. Please feel free to share the job description with your networks or anyone you believe may be a good candidate for the role. While my work will take me to a different BID, I will remain a Williamsburg resident and look forward to watching Grand Street continue to evolve.

Sincerely,

Erin Piscopink
Executive Director