Board of Trustees

Kamar H. Samuels is Chancellor of New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), the largest school system in the nation. A veteran educator with more than two decades of experience and an NYCPS parent himself, Chancellor Samuels has devoted his career to advancing student achievement, strengthening instructional practice, and building schools that are safe, academically rigorous, and truly integrated. 

Appointed in 2026, Chancellor Samuels is focused on the core priorities that make schools successful and on engaging closely with educators, families, and students. He believes schools should reflect what makes New York City unique, embracing its rich diversity through learning experiences grounded in cultural understanding and respect.

Before dedicating his career to public education, Chancellor Samuels built a foundation in leadership and operations through his work in finance, including as a Finance Manager at the National Basketball Association. He began his career in NYCPS through the NYC Teaching Fellows program as an elementary school teacher in the Bronx. He later served as principal of the Bronx Writing Academy and held senior leadership roles in NYCPS central offices, including Executive Director of District School Design and Senior Director of Partnerships and Initiatives. 

He went on to serve as a deputy superintendent in Brooklyn and as a superintendent in Brooklyn and Manhattan. In these roles, Chancellor Samuels led implementation of NYC Reads, contributing to a five percent increase in literacy outcomes, advanced school integration efforts, and oversaw the launch of multiple International Baccalaureate programs.

Chancellor Samuels holds degrees from Baruch College and Lehman College and New York State certifications in school and district leadership.  

Minelly De Coo is an infrastructure leader with more than 15 years of experience leading the planning, delivery, and implementation of complex capital programs across federal, state, and local government, as well as the private sector. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of engineering, public policy, and project delivery to advance transformative infrastructure that strengthens communities and improves quality of life.

Minelly currently serves as Program Director of Aviation Redevelopment at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where she oversees the modernization and consolidation of John F. Kennedy International Airport's North Cargo Area as part of the airport's historic redevelopment program. Previously, she served as Special Assistant to the President for Infrastructure Implementation at the White House, helping coordinate the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in partnership with federal agencies, state and local governments, and private-sector stakeholders. She also served as Deputy Director of Infrastructure for New York Governor Kathy Hochul, overseeing the implementation of federally funded infrastructure programs across New York State, and as Director of Capital Projects at the New York City Mayor's Office, where she managed the delivery of the City's highest-priority capital initiatives. She began her career in engineering consulting, leading the planning and delivery of transit, bridge, and vertical construction projects.

Minelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University.  Born in the Dominican Republic, Minelly immigrated to New York City with her family as a child. A proud Bronxite, she lives with her husband, their son, and their rescue dog, Canela.