Board of Directors & Staff

As leader of Westchester County’s largest and most influential business organization, Dr. Gordon brings more than 25 years of community, commerce and leadership experience. Under her leadership, BCW has tripled its membership which includes leading global companies who call Westchester home, the major hospitals, educational institutions, entrepreneurially owned companies, 150 not for profit in all sectors and many mid-size and small business who are the engine of our regional economy. The organization developed programs, information resources and services to meet the needs of the County’s diverse business community and become a lead advocate for business and economic development in the region and New York State. Marsha Gordon is widely considered to be an authority on the business climate in Westchester County, as well as one of the most effective connectors of businesses of all sizes and community-based organizations.

Dr. Gordon has been president of The Business Council of Westchester (White Plains) since 2001. She was also president of Build the Bridge Now, which helped to fast track the building of a new Tappan Zee Bridge. Governor Houchul appointed Dr. Gordon as co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Council, resulting in $815,000 invested in the region for infrastructure, workforce training, and economic development, including Life Sciences, health care and advance manufacturing sectors. She was recently named as the third most powerful person in Westchester County by City and State NY and on the power 100 list for NYS Economic Development Professional.

Dr. Gordon has led the Business Council on many exciting initiatives including a robust data exchange utilized by the business, government and not for profit sector, development of the Westchester Innovation Network (WIN) focused on innovation as the foundation for economic development with a lens on healthcare, technology and educational technology and a Talent Recruitment Campaign.

Marsha Gordon serves on multiple boards and task force, including the Business Council of New York State, (Vice President) the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Investment Board (Executive Committee) focusing on job placement for employees and talent recruitment for employers and the New New York City Panel appointed by Governor Hochul to reimagine NYC economy post pandemic. Prior to joining BCW, Dr. Gordon was president/CEO of MetroPool, a not-for-profit organization that promotes alternative transportation options, and led the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. She holds a BA from Brooklyn College, an MBA from Marist College, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Pace University.

As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, John oversees the Business Council’s legislative, government affairs and community relations, and plays a key role in developing and expanding membership services.

Prior to joining the Business Council team, John, who is a former New York State Assemblyman, was Chief Operating Officer of the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross and Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross in Westchester County. He also once served as Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections.

John was elected six times to the State Assembly representing the East Side of Manhattan. In his 12 years as a state legislator, he was ranking member of the Health Committee, and served on the Higher Education, Education, Mental Health and Children and Families committees. As Assistant Minority Leader he coordinated key legislation before the Assembly and as Assistant Minority Whip he directed floor debate for the 52 members of the Assembly Minority Conference.

With the Red Cross, John oversaw core service delivery areas including disaster, health and safety and international services, as well as its services to the Armed Forces. In Westchester, the Red Cross annually trains more than 18,000 people in critical lifesaving courses, responds to more than 100 local disasters and provides services to more than 170 military families. He headed a staff of 10 and a core group of more than 500 volunteers.

As Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections, John was responsible for overseeing all operations of the Board’s five borough offices and its executive office and a staff of 350. He served as governmental liaison with federal, state and city agencies including the offices of the Mayor and Governor.

As a community advocate, John has organized more than 60 town hall meetings on a wide range of issues. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Mayor’s Action Committee’s Legislative Recognition Award, the New York City Council’s Community Service Award, the New York State Conference of Mayor’s Good Government Legislative Award and the Burden Center for Aging’s Lifetime Recognition Award.

John lives in Pelham with his wife and their four children.

As the Vice President of Special Events, Amanda is responsible for planning and executing more than 80 of the BCW’s highly successful events each year, notably its signature series, awards dinners and ongoing functions that attract hundreds of people including its Hall of Fame Awards, Day of Wellness, Rising Stars Awards, Annual Dinner, and Westchester Business Showcase among many other networking and professional development programs. Amanda also oversees the outreach and management of Sponsorships, the Rising Stars Leadership Council, and Rising Stars Alumni and the StarPower Leadership Development program.

Prior to joining the Business Council in 2015, she held the Sales & Private Event Manager position at The Castle Hotel and Spa, Tarrytown House Estate and The Garrison.

Amanda earned a Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership from Mercy College and a BA in Business Management from Manhattanville College.

As the Senior Director of Membership & Programs, Linda is responsible for meeting with prospective members to educate them regarding the value and benefits membership at the BCW provides. Once a new member has joined, Linda works with the business to curate and customize their membership plan. She currently coordinates the BCW Ambassador/New Member Mentoring Program. Linda also facilitates and partners with BCW co-chairs to plan programming for: Small Business, Solopreneur, Women in Business, Human Resources and Not-For-Profit Councils. Linda oversees the planning and publication of the yearly digital and print membership directory.

Linda worked in the book fair industry for five years. At Booktopia Fairs, she planned and executed literary events with over seventy schools per year. She also arranged author visits and coordinated buying and selecting the adult selection of titles. At Scholastic Book Fairs, she planned, coordinated and merchandised book fairs while continuing to work with local authors organizing visits in the Tri-State area.

Linda served on the Board at the Rye Arts Center from 2011-2014 and she also served on the Executive Committee during the fall of 2013. Linda joined the Merrimack College Parent Leadership Council in the fall of 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah and lives with her husband in Rye Brook, NY. She has two grown daughters.

As the Events & Operations Manager, Samantha is responsible for assisting the VP of Special Events and the BCW team to produce great networking and professional development events for our membership, as well as oversee every aspect of the organization’s operations. She has worked with the BCW since 2021, and was a valuable team member as our organization pivoted to online meetings during the pandemic.

Samantha is a graduate of Rider University with a BA in Public Relations, with a concentration in Event Planning & Production, a valuable skill set for our organization.

As the Administrative Assistant, Kaleigh is responsible for providing administrative support to ensure efficient operation of the office. She oversees all scheduling matters for Marsha and John, along with assisting the Events & Operations Manager with day-to-day tasks.

Kaleigh was most recently an Author Mentor & Junior Publishing Assistant with the Creator Institute, New Degree Press, where she helped authors with marketing campaigns to promote their books. Kaleigh is also an author with her most recent historical fiction titled, “Las Locas.” The book is set in Buenos Aires and follows the stories of three women coping with the aftermath of Argentina’s Dirty War.

Kaleigh, a native of Woodstock, NY, has a BA in Communication Studies and Spanish from Marist College.