Press Release – NEW YORK, March 29, 2018 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City (BBBS of NYC), the nation’s first and New York’s largest youth mentoring organization, has named three new members to its Board of Trustees: Jack Kopnisky, president and chief executive officer of Sterling Bancorp and its principal banking subsidiary Sterling National Bank and Abby Parsonnet, regional president of Metro New York area at Webster Bank.
“Jack and Abby are not only admired leaders in the finance and banking industries, but they are also passionate about our mission to enrich the lives of youth and help them reach their full potential,” said Hector Batista, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC. “Each day we see the transformational impact that our organization and our mentors make on the community, and I am grateful for the continued support of our board members. As we look ahead to the future, I have great confidence in what our agency will continue to achieve for our city’s youth.”
Mr. Kopnisky brings more than three decades of experience in the banking and financial services industries to BBBS of NYC’s Board, with a successful history of growing organizations and achieving results. Prior to his role at Sterling, Mr. Kopnisky held top executive positions at SJB Escrow Corporation, Mercatus LLC, First Marblehead Corporation, KeyCorp, and other leading companies in the industry. He serves on the Board of Directors of Sterling Bancorp and Sterling National Bank, and the Board of Trustees of St. Thomas Aquinas College, Summer Search NYC, and the Westchester County Association. He has chaired and served on many non-profit boards throughout his career focused on inner-city development and youth services. Mr. Kopnisky received his undergraduate degree from Grove City College and also graduated from the Case Western Reserve Executive Program at Weatherhead School of Business and the University of Delaware’s Stonier Banking School.
Ms. Parsonnet joined Webster Bank in 2013 to oversee the company’s middle market banking activity and community affairs in the New York metropolitan area. Earlier in her career, she served as senior vice president and regional manager in a variety of roles at JP Morgan Chase. Ms. Parsonnet is an executive board member, officer and founding member of Fashion Delivers, a member of the Fashion Service Network, and is active in the ORT American Accounting, Banking and Attorneys Chapter, where she is a past recipient of the Community Achievement Award. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and an MBA from Boston University. She also earned her certificate in financial planning from the New York University School of Continuing Education.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC (BBBS of NYC), the nation’s first and NYC’s largest youth mentoring organization, has served the changing needs of New York City’s most at-risk youth since 1904. The volunteer- and donor-based organization offers a variety of specialized mentoring programs to help children facing more complex challenges – including immigrant youth, children of incarcerated parents and those in foster care – as well as the Workplace Mentoring Program, which helps businesses throughout New York City positively impact the lives of young people and build a foundation for professional success. Additionally, since 1992 BBBS of NYC has worked through its Center for Training and Professional Development to equip non-profit professionals throughout New York City to develop and enhance their own mentor-based programs and organizations.
Through the support of individuals, foundations and corporations, this not-for-profit agency has been able to change the lives of the city’s most disadvantaged children, matching them with caring adult role models – dependable friends who can help to expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their futures. All contributions enable BBBS of NYC to continue to foster current match relationships and also provide more New York City children with life-changing mentors. Approximately $3,500 funds the establishment of a new one-on-one match relationship for one year. To learn more, become a mentor, donate and/or offer support, please visit www.bigsnyc.org.
