New York City -- The Altman Foundation is pleased to announce two recent leadership appointments. Michelle de la Uz was elected to the Board of Trustees in April 2026, and Carmen Marie Rogers joined the Foundation as Vice President for Finance and Operations in July.
Michelle de la Uz is a nationally recognized leader in social justice and community development, with more than 25 years of public service experience. As Executive Director of the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), she leads an organization that advances economic, social, and racial justice for over 7,500 low- and moderate-income New Yorkers each year through affordable housing, workforce development, and community-building initiatives.
Under her leadership, FAC and its affiliates have grown more than fivefold, with combined annual budgets exceeding $34 million, a $263 million real estate portfolio, and an affordable housing pipeline of more than 2,000 units representing $1 billion in total development costs.
Ms. de la Uz serves on the boards of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD). She is a member of the Community Advisory Group of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and also serves as Co-Chair of the New York Housing Conference. From 2012 to 2021, Ms. de la Uz served as a New York City Planning Commissioner. “Michelle brings a deep commitment to New York City, broad expertise, and a demonstrated ability to bring people together to solve complex problems,” said Altman Foundation Chairman James M. Burke. “Her practical understanding of the challenges facing New Yorkers, grounded in years of work with the communities at the heart of the Foundation’s mission, will be a tremendous asset to the Board and to our work across the city.”
Carmen Marie Rogers has joined the Foundation as the Vice President for Finance and Operations. In this role, Ms. Rogers will oversee financial management, support the Board’s investment strategy, and strengthen internal systems to promote long-term sustainability and organizational effectiveness.
Prior to joining Altman, Ms. Rogers served five years as the Chief Administrative Officer at three foundations created by the late Julian H. Robertson. As Deputy Chief Operating and Finance Officer at The Atlantic Philanthropies, she held a key leadership role through the successful closure of the largest limited-life private foundation to intentionally spend down its endowment and was one of the final employees. Before Atlantic, Ms. Rogers was the Director of Special Initiatives and Human Resources at the Fund for the City of New York, supporting its work to strengthen NYC’s nonprofit and civic institutions.
Ms. Rogers has extensive experience directing financial and administrative functions in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Her expertise includes investment oversight, budgeting, and financial management; human resources; grants and data management; technology; and other organizational infrastructure. Through her career, she has developed systems and tools that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of nonprofits and foundations in New York City and Los Angeles.
Ms. Rogers earned a B.A. with honors in public administration from Miami University and a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Southern California. She completed all but her dissertation in the doctorate program at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, where she also served as Adjunct Professor and guest lecturer in nonprofit financial management, arts and culture policy, and introduction to public service.
“We are delighted to welcome Carmen to the Altman Foundation,” said Deborah T. Velazquez, President. “She brings financial expertise, operational judgement, and commitment to mission-driven organizations. Her thoughtful, collaborative approach will be invaluable as we strengthen the Foundation’s systems, steward its resources for the long-term, and support for nonprofits navigating a complex operating environment.”
About the Altman Foundation
Created in 1913 under the will of Benjamin Altman, the Altman Foundation is an independent private foundation whose mission is to advance equity and opportunity for individuals, families, and communities across New York City. Its grantmaking spans education, health, strengthening communities, cultural engagement, youth development, and the arts. The Foundation also supports nonprofit intermediaries, networks and capacity building efforts in fields such as affordable housing, parks and open space, and workforce development, as well as organizations that help nonprofits strengthen their operations, advocate effectively, and share knowledge and best practices.