NYC School Construction Authority Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

NYC School Construction Authority has 7 executives leading key functions including executive strategy, operational oversight, administrative coordination, information technology, and facility management.

Committed to educational infrastructure excellence, NYC School Construction Authority delivers modern learning environments through rigorous design, construction, and renovation standards across all five boroughs of New York City.

Leadership Roles at NYC School Construction Authority

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Nina Kubota
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Lorraine Grillo
  • Chief Operating Officer - Robert Sanft
  • President - Celeste Ramirez
  • Chief of Staff - Karen Maher
  • Chief Information Officer - Zeeshan Anwar
  • Chief of Staff & Operations Officer - Dwehline Harris
  • Nina Kubota - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Nina Kubota, the President & Chief Executive Officer at NYC School Construction Authority, directs the overarching strategic vision for school facility development. Kubota manages the complex intersection of public policy and capital construction, ensuring that every project aligns with the educational requirements of the city. By coordinating with the Board of Trustees, the President & Chief Executive Officer maintains fiscal discipline while accelerating the delivery of new classroom capacity. Nina Kubota drives the long-term planning initiatives that define the physical landscape of public education. Through rigorous oversight of design standards and construction timelines, the President & Chief Executive Officer guarantees that all infrastructure investments meet the highest safety and quality benchmarks. This leadership role requires constant engagement with municipal stakeholders to secure project funding and regulatory approval. Ultimately, Kubota ensures that the built environment supports the academic success of students across the entire metropolitan region.

    Lorraine Grillo - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Lorraine Grillo, the President & Chief Executive Officer at NYC School Construction Authority, focuses on the execution of large-scale capital improvement programs. Grillo manages the procurement processes and contractor relationships necessary to renovate aging school facilities. By streamlining the bidding and construction phases, the President & Chief Executive Officer reduces project delays and optimizes resource allocation. Lorraine Grillo drives the implementation of sustainable building practices, ensuring that new facilities incorporate energy-efficient technologies. This leadership role involves balancing the immediate needs of school communities with the long-term maintenance requirements of the existing building stock. Through active collaboration with city agencies, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the necessary permits and site access for complex urban construction projects. Grillo maintains a sharp focus on operational efficiency, ensuring that every dollar spent contributes directly to the creation of safe, modern, and functional learning spaces for students.

    Robert Sanft - Chief Operating Officer

    Robert Sanft, the Chief Operating Officer at NYC School Construction Authority, manages the day-to-day logistics of school facility construction and renovation. Sanft oversees the field operations teams responsible for site safety, quality control, and schedule adherence. By monitoring construction progress across multiple boroughs, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that projects meet strict municipal deadlines. Robert Sanft drives the implementation of standardized construction protocols to maintain consistency in building quality. This leadership role involves managing relationships with external vendors and labor unions to ensure the availability of skilled personnel. Through the rigorous application of operational metrics, the Chief Operating Officer identifies and mitigates risks that could impact project timelines. Sanft coordinates with engineering and design departments to resolve technical challenges encountered during the construction phase. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the physical delivery of school facilities remains on track and within the established budgetary constraints.
    Robert Sanft

    Celeste Ramirez - President

    Celeste Ramirez, the President at NYC School Construction Authority, leads the strategic initiatives focused on community engagement and public-private partnerships. Ramirez manages the outreach programs that ensure local stakeholders remain informed about school construction projects in their neighborhoods. By fostering transparent communication, the President builds public trust and support for infrastructure investments. Celeste Ramirez drives the development of collaborative frameworks that leverage private sector expertise to enhance public school design. This leadership role involves representing the authority in public forums and coordinating with elected officials to address community concerns. Through the cultivation of strategic partnerships, the President expands the capacity of the authority to deliver innovative learning environments. Ramirez maintains a focus on the social impact of school construction, ensuring that new facilities serve as hubs for community growth. Ultimately, the President ensures that the authority remains responsive to the evolving needs of the diverse populations served across the city.
    Celeste Ramirez

    Karen Maher - Chief of Staff

    Karen Maher, the Chief of Staff at NYC School Construction Authority, coordinates internal communications and executive workflows to ensure organizational alignment. Maher manages the flow of information between the Board of Trustees and the various departments responsible for school construction. By facilitating cross-functional collaboration, the Chief of Staff enables the rapid resolution of administrative bottlenecks. Karen Maher drives the development of internal policies that govern project management and reporting standards. This leadership role involves preparing executive briefings and managing high-level stakeholder relationships to support the mission of the authority. Through the synchronization of departmental goals, the Chief of Staff ensures that all teams remain focused on the timely delivery of school facilities. Maher maintains a comprehensive view of the organizational structure, identifying opportunities for process improvement and resource optimization. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff supports the executive team in achieving the strategic objectives required to modernize the city's educational infrastructure.

    Zeeshan Anwar - Chief Information Officer

    Zeeshan Anwar, the Chief Information Officer at NYC School Construction Authority, architects the digital infrastructure required to manage complex construction data. Anwar oversees the implementation of advanced project management software and building information modeling systems. By digitizing the construction lifecycle, the Chief of Information Officer enhances transparency and data-driven decision-making across all active sites. Zeeshan Anwar drives the cybersecurity initiatives that protect sensitive project blueprints and financial records from external threats. This leadership role involves integrating disparate data streams into a unified platform to track project progress, budget utilization, and compliance metrics. Through the deployment of robust IT solutions, the Chief Information Officer ensures that field teams and administrative staff maintain seamless connectivity. Anwar optimizes the technological landscape to support the rapid scaling of construction activities. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer provides the digital foundation necessary for the authority to deliver high-quality school facilities efficiently.

    Dwehline Harris - Chief of Staff & Operations Officer

    Dwehline Harris, the Chief of Staff & Operations Officer at NYC School Construction Authority, integrates administrative strategy with operational execution. Harris manages the alignment of human resources and operational budgets to support the authority's construction goals. By overseeing the administrative support functions, the Chief of Staff & Operations Officer ensures that project managers have the necessary resources to succeed. Dwehline Harris drives the development of performance management systems that track the efficiency of construction operations. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between executive policy and field-level implementation to ensure consistent outcomes. Through the optimization of internal processes, the Chief of Staff & Operations Officer reduces administrative overhead and accelerates project delivery. Harris maintains a focus on organizational health, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff & Operations Officer ensures that the operational framework supports the long-term mission of building world-class educational facilities.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding NYC School Construction Authority Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads NYC School Construction Authority?
    NYC School Construction Authority is led by Nina Kubota (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Lorraine Grillo (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Robert Sanft (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of NYC School Construction Authority’s executive team?
    The executive team of NYC School Construction Authority includes leaders such as Nina Kubota (President & Chief Executive Officer), Lorraine Grillo (President & Chief Executive Officer), Robert Sanft (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does NYC School Construction Authority have?
    NYC School Construction Authority has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in NYC School Construction Authority’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of NYC School Construction Authority includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, Chief of Staff.