Get to Know New Staff: Fall 2024
Get to know the new staff members that have recently joined the Prospect Park Alliance team! Learn more about Samantha and Katie and keep an eye out to say hello throughout the park.
Samantha Ding, Architect I
What is something you like to do in your free time?
I love sewing and working on my side business making bags, clothes and accessories. It’s a great joy to make something with my own two hands that I or other people can wear to express themselves.
Do you have a favorite song/band/musician or movie/tv show or book?
I have always been interested in period pieces and have read all of Jane Austen’s novels. More recently, I enjoyed watching The Gilded Age and learning more about how New York City’s society and infrastructure developed during that time. I love imagining The Gilded Age New Yorkers playing lawn tennis in Prospect Park in their historical clothing.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I’m excited to be joining Prospect Park Alliance as two larger projects are developing, and watching the Northeast Pavilion come to fruition. I’m looking forward to being able to step onto the construction site often to watch its progress since it is so close by!
Do you have any favorite places or activities you like to do in Prospect Park?
Cycling around the loop is a nice respite from cars and a great way to see what’s going on around the park.
Fatema Tuj Johora, Events Manager
What is something you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love taking care of my plants, painting, and cooking. I also enjoy hiking and kayaking.
Do you have a favorite song/band/musician or movie/TV show or book?
Friends is my all-time favorite TV show. Currently, I’m reading Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR series and enjoy it.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I’m most looking forward to the opportunity to create memorable experiences for clients and guests. I enjoy the challenge of coordinating all the details and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Additionally, I’m eager to collaborate with different teams and build strong relationships within the organization.
Do you have any favorite places or activities you like to do in Prospect Park?
I enjoy walking along the trails, visiting the picnic areas, and watching the events that happen there. It’s such a vibrant space with a lot to offer!
Katie Russell, Landscape Manager
What is something you like to do in your free time?
On a free weekend, I like to go camping!
Do you have a favorite song/band/musician or movie/tv show or book?
I re-read the Lord of the Rings trilogy every 5 years or so, and re-watch the movies about as often.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I’m looking forward to seeing parts of the park I didn’t know about or don’t often explore, especially as the seasons change.
Do you have any favorite places or activities you like to do in Prospect Park?
My favorite activities in Prospect Park are picnicking with friends below the Picnic House, birdwatching in the Vale with my wife, and running laps of the drive with my running club.
