NEW YORK (Dec. 7, 2023) – The New York Community Trust today announced that renowned designer and longtime philanthropist Jamie Drake has been elected as incoming chair of the community foundation’s 12-member Distribution Committee, its governing body.
As the 12th chair in The Trust’s history, Drake’s tenure begins on Jan. 1, 2024 – the same day The Trust embarks on celebrating its 100-year anniversary. He has served as the mayoral nominee to The Trust’s governing body since 2007.
Drake succeeds Valerie Peltier, who since 2014 has led The Trust through an era of considerable change and challenges, including the swift and historic launch in March 2020 of The Trust’s NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund, which ultimately distributed more than $110 million in grants and loans to nearly 800 nonprofits. She also led the organization through its first leadership transition in more than 30 years.
“Valerie’s engaged and compassionate leadership provides an ideal blueprint to build on the success, growth, and innovation that The Trust achieved during her tenure,” Drake said. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that all of us who call the New York metro area home have benefitted from Valerie’s visionary and inclusive approach to furthering the interests of all in our community.”
Drake is a visionary in his own right, having established himself as one of the most celebrated designers of his time. He is known for his bold use of color and shape and infusing glamour in his mainly urban portfolio of residential and commercial projects. After many years on the AD100, Drake in 2023 was inducted into the prestigious Architectural Digest AD100 Hall of Fame.
Drake started his own design firm three days after graduating from the Parsons School of Design in 1978 and is now a partner at Drake/Anderson. As his professional career has advanced, so has his tireless commitment to helping others.
In October, the Design Leadership Network selected Drake for its annual Design Leadership Award. In selecting Drake, the organization emphasized his decades-long commitment to philanthropy, noting his service on five philanthropic boards, including The Trust, as well as supporting scores of nonprofits and mentoring up-and-coming designers. He has given his time, talent, and treasure to several organizations, serving as a Fellow to the American Society of Interior Designers, a Member of the Board of Governors to Parsons School of Design | The New School, and Member to the Directors’ Council of the Historic House Trust of New York. He is an Honorary Trustee of Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, former Chairman of Alpha Workshops, and former co-chairman of Furnish a Future Industry Committee.
“I think Jamie’s most remarkable design is that of his own life – a life that balances professional success and personal growth with a deep and compassionate commitment to improving the lives of others,” Peltier said. “I am fully confident in his ability to lead The Trust into its second century in ways that will elevate our impact as we partner with nonprofits and our community to address daunting challenges and seize countless opportunities to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers.”
Drake commended Trust President Amy Freitag’s leadership team and staff who carry out The Trust’s mission that centers on connecting generous donors with nonprofits that work to make a healthy, equitable and thriving community for all.
“The dream for anyone in my role is to have board leadership that challenges us to maximize our potential and impact each and every day while creating the conditions that make that achievable,” Freitag said. “Both Valerie Peltier and Jamie Drake share those rare traits, which will ensure continuity and allow Jamie to quickly expand on the remarkable and resilient foundation that has been built under Valerie’s leadership.”
About The New York Community Trust
The New York Community Trust is New York City’s largest community foundation. It connects generous people and institutions with high-impact nonprofits making the city, Long Island, and Westchester a better place for all. It builds stronger communities, influences public policy, fosters innovation, improves lives, and protects our environment.