Today, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) announced the appointment of Pamela Puchalski as Executive Director. Puchalski brings 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning architecture, urban innovation, and public engagement around the built environment, including work in neighborhood revitalization and climate resilience.
As Executive Director, she will oversee the agency’s administrative, research, and public affairs activities, lead interdepartmental and interagency special projects, and work closely with LPC Chair Lisa Kersavage to develop policy and strategic planning agency-wide.
Puchalski previously served as Executive Director of Open House New York as well as The American Assembly at Columbia University (now Incite Institute); co-founded and co-led the Global Institute on Innovation Districts; and held senior leadership roles at New America and advisory roles at the Brookings Institution.
“Pamela brings deep experience in New York City’s built environment, executive leadership, a strong commitment to strengthening neighborhoods and communities, and a thoughtful approach to how cities adapt to change,” said Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Lisa Kersavage. “Her career has focused on addressing both the challenges and opportunities facing cities, and she understands the importance of preserving the places that make New York so unique while ensuring our historic buildings and neighborhoods continue to serve New Yorkers. I look forward to working with Pamela to advance the work of the Commission and the Mamdani administration.”
“It is an honor to serve in the Mamdani administration under Chair Kersavage’s leadership,” said Landmarks Preservation Commission Executive Director Pamela Puchalski. “Preservation is the connective tissue of neighborhoods across the five boroughs, and recent designations demonstrate how preservation, growth, and affordability can be interwoven to create a city for all. I’m eager to build on that work and help more New Yorkers access the vitality and diversity of our city’s heritage.”
Puchalski’s work in New York City has focused on connecting New Yorkers with the places and neighborhoods that shape our city. She began her career at the New York Landmarks Conservancy and later helped develop and lead the Center for Architecture, where she oversaw public programming. As Executive Director of Open House New York, Puchalski guided the organization through the pandemic and led the continued growth of OHNY Weekend, making access to notable architecture, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and cultural institutions across all five boroughs free to the public.
Across multiple roles, Puchalski has emphasized neighborhood revitalization and inclusive community engagement. As Executive Director of The American Assembly at Columbia University, she launched the national Middle Neighborhoods program to stabilize underserved neighborhoods, particularly Black communities, and oversaw a legacy cities revitalization initiative with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Puchalski’s work has helped cities respond to change and plan for the future, including through climate resilience and urban innovation. At New America, she helped create RISE: NYC to increase climate resilience in neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy, and helped develop a resilience strategy framework for the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities initiative. At the Brookings Institution, she launched the Global Cities Initiative, bringing together municipal, civic, and business leaders to share ideas and strategies for strengthening regional economies.
Pamela holds dual B.A. degrees in Economics and Literature, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Maryland and an M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University. She is a member of the Women’s Forum of New York.
About the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)
The Landmarks Preservation Commission is the mayoral agency responsible for protecting and preserving New York City’s architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites. Since its creation in 1965, LPC has granted landmark status to more than 38,500 buildings and sites, including 1,473 individual landmarks, 125 interior landmarks, 12 scenic landmarks, and 159 historic districts and extensions in all five boroughs. For more information, visit LPC’s website and connect with us at Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
