Who We Are

Alyce Russo has more than 20 years experience as an urban planner and project leader. She has conceived, planned, obtained funding for and implemented large and small design and capital development projects, ranging from multi-million dollar public infrastructure projects (parks, seawall reconstruction, open space planning) to furniture design and procurement for an HIV/AIDS housing program. She has also structured financing for public and private real estate deals up to $15 million.

Alyce has successfully negotiated and secured complex interagency approvals from governmental agencies, regulatory authorities and utility companies. From 1989 to 1996, Alyce served as Director of Planning and Development for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, where she managed 15 staff and consultants, formulated policy, directed public and private sector planning, raised funds and implemented capital projects. From 1996 to 2002, prior to partnering with Steven Schall, Alyce Russo ran her own real estate development, planning and design consultant practice.

Alyce is a Georgetown University graduate and holds a Master in City Planning and Master in Engineering, Construction Management degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Steven Schall has more than 30 years experience in progressive and innovative social service and community development work. He has worked as a non-profit executive, program developer, planner, educator and social worker.

From 1997 to 2002 Steven Schall served as Vice President for Programs at Greyston Foundation in Yonkers, NY, overseeing 40 staff and $3.5 million of health care, child care and social service operations. From 1991 to 1997, Steve was a Senior Associate at Burchman Terrio Urban Consultants in New York City, providing program development, facility development and financial consulting services to non-profit organizations. Prior to that, from 1989 to 1991, Steve was a Senior Planner in the Division of AIDS Services at the New York City Department of Health.

Steve’s earlier social work career included work at the Queens Hospital Center and Montefiore Medical Center emergency rooms, as well as the NYC Criminal Justice Agency and Court Employment Project. Steve is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Administration at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Steve is a Swarthmore College graduate and holds a Master in City Planning degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College.