Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced today his appointment of Lilliam A. Perez as the Bronx representative to the newly-created New York City Civic Engagement Commission.
“Lilliam A. Perez is a perfect choice to represent our borough on the city’s Civic Engagement Commission. I know her to be someone who loves this city and is tireless in her efforts to better the community. I have complete faith in her ability to help increase civic awareness and participation throughout the city so that more New Yorkers understand the how vital it is to take an active role in our democracy,” saidBronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“As a life-long Dominican-American Bronxite, it’s an honor that Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is giving me the opportunity to represent the people of this great Borough. I’m committed to making sure that the many voices of the communities residing in the Bronx are heard,” said Lilliam A. Perez, a resident of Belmont who currently serves as Vice President of Government & Community Relations for the Montefiore Health System & Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
In November 2018, New York City voters overwhelmingly approved three ballot initiatives proposed by the 2018 Charter Revision Commission, which included the establishment of the Civic Engagement Commission. The Commission will be responsible for enhancing civic participation, promoting civic trust and strengthening democracy in New York City. The Commission will have 15 commissioners. Eight are appointed by the Mayor, two by the City Council and one by each Borough President.
Ms. Perez is native of the city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and grew up in The Bronx. She was recently appointed to the position of Vice President of Government and Community Relations for Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the counties of The Bronx, Westchester, Rockland and Orange. In that capacity, she is responsible for strategic engagement and advocacy with city, state and federal elected leaders, government agencies and the community-at-large.
Prior to joining Montefiore, she was Senior Advisor and Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the New York State Attorney General. Throughout her career in the offices of the New York State Attorney General and the New York State Senate she collaborated with numerous organizations dealing with social justice issues such as education and immigration reform, political empowerment and women’s rights.
Ms. Perez has received numerous recognitions for her political and community activism, including being named one of “40 Rising Stars Under 40,” The Next Generation of Political Leaders in New York by City Hall News, and having been honored by the Dominican Day Parade and named a “2018 Madrina.” She has also received numerous recognitions from elected officials and community organizations throughout her career.
Ms. Perez is a board member of Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a founder and former board member of the Latina Political Action Committee, a former board member and treasurer of the Dominican Women’s Development Center and the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, a former member of the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College and a member of DMI Scholars Advisory Council.
Ms. Perez earned a B.A. in Political Science and International Economics with a minor in Latin American Literature from Long Island University. While pursuing her education she also earned a scholarship as a Division I volleyball player for the Long Island University Lady Blackbirds, where she won the MVP award in 1996 and held many all-time records.
Ms. Perez will serve a three-year term to the Commission. The Commission will hold its first public meeting within the next 30 days and launch a listening tour across the five boroughs to hear directly from New Yorkers. The Commission also launched a new website where more information on their work, including the schedule of public meetings, will be available. The website can be accessed here.