For Immediate Release
Historic Richmond Town Welcomes New Board Member, Michael Molinaro
Michael Molinaro is a native Staten Islander with a unique history at Historic Richmond Town. During the summers of his High School and College years, he worked as a docent in the Education department, where he gained a deep respect for HRT’s mission to preserve and interpret our shared past in ways that bring relevance and importance to today’s visitors. In a happy twists of fate, Michael also met his wife during his early years at HRT; who was also working as a docent at the time.
What Michael valued in the work being done at Historic Richmond Town in the past, he still does today: “I’m honored to join the Board of Historic Richmond Town,” he says, “As a born and bred Staten Islander I’ve seen how vital cultural resources such as HRT create a deep sense of community and connection for all who share in them. I recall the sense of pride with which we shared the properties with school and camp groups from across the city. I’m looking forward to working with the amazing women and men who are securing the future of this great institution for future generations.”
During his interview process, Executive Direction & CEO of Historic Richmond Town, Jessica Phillips, was inspired by Michael’s enthusiasm for the important work being done at the organization and impressed by his line of questioning. “Michael took sincere interest in the future of Historic Richmond Town; asking where I saw the organization years from now. It told me a great deal about his complete understanding of how important a cultural board position is in making a lasting impression on the community it serves.”
In his professional life, Michael is Chief Learning Officer of New York Life, a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845; the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States and one of the largest life insurers in the world. Michael joined the firm in 2009. Prior to joining New York Life, Michael spent 12 years in London, England, where he was Head of Learning fo Deutsche Bank in the UK from 1998-2005, and was UK Head of Learning for UBS Investment Bank from 2005-2009.
Before holding these roles, Michael was North American Head of Learning and Development for Reuters. He has also held senior learning and organization development roles at AIG, Citibank-Smith Barney, Shearson Lehman Brothers, and Drexel Burnham Lambert.
Michael has also acted as an independent consultant and coach to Fortune 100 companies in the US and Europe. He is the editor of the widely used text, “How to Design Self-Directed & Distance Learning.” He was written and contributed to several papers on the topics of executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational culture.
His latest work, “Being on One’s Way: The Path to Leadership” was published in May 2018 by the International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry.
In addition he is founder of what is now the largest Little League Baseball program in Western Europe. Michael lives in New York City and Barnegat Light, New Jersey.
For additional information about the Historic Richmond Town leadership, please visit https://www.historicrichmondtown.org/boardofdirectors