Negocios Now

www.negociosnow.com October 2022 37 Age: 32 Title: Deputy Borough President, Bronx Name of Organization: Bronx Borough President's office, Vanessa Gibson Named Deputy Borough President of the Bronx in January 2022, Janet A. Peguero is the first Dominican woman to hold that role. She un- derstands firsthand the value of hard work, public service, and the impor- tance of civic engagement as tools to enhance equity throughout New York City. An immigrant from the Do- minican Republic who was raised by school aides, Janet`s passion is roo- ted in serving her community. At the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), Janet served the communities that raised her as the Senior Rezoning Manager on ci- tywide land use projects with a focus on the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. Closely working with City Hall, local elected officials, community boards, and community partners, Janet was charged with ensuring residents had equitable access to city services, along with developing new programs in support of local economic develop- ment and job readiness. Janet's tenure at SBS began in the Division of Busi- ness Services managing pro-bono services and leading the first-of-its- kind Commercial Lease Assistance program, offering free legal represen- tation to commercial tenants. Most recently, Janet was an Asso- ciate at Constantinople & Vallone, a government relations firm, heavily focusing on and advocating for local non-profits and affordable housing. During the FY`20 budget crisis, Janet was successful at securing substantial increases in city funding on behalf of her non-profit clients, aimed at assis- ting with recovery and their ability to expand essential services as the City worked towards reopening. During the height of the pande- mic, Janet worked with Bronx-based mutual aid groups and local small businesses to increase access to food and PPE. Janet also serves as the Bronx borough director for Amplify Her, an organization that works to in- crease the number of women in elec- ted office. Janet's work has also helped to increase voter turnout among Spa- nish-speaking residents. Janet started her public career in the non-profit sector with the Vance Center for International Justice, a division within the New York City Bar Association. She is an EOP alumna of SUNY Binghamton, and a proud product of the New York City public school system. Janet Peguero Standing up for the Bronx WORDS OF WISDOM: "O ften times we find ourselves in rooms where we are the first, the few, and the only. And that feeling can mask itself as a burden, feeding the notion of imposter syndrome. Whoever, being the first comes with the responsibility of not being the last and with the assignment of leaving the door open for the next generation of leaders, and that within itself is Power!."

• Cover