Melissa Roman Burch

Chief Operating Officer at NYC Economic Development Corporation

Speaker

Melissa Román Burch is the Chief Operating Officer for the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) where she leads major economic development transactions, initiates investments that grow NYC’s innovation sectors, and spearheads real estate development on city-owned land. Managing to a double bottom line of financial returns and measured social impact, Melissa mobilizes public and private investment through tax incentive programs, tax exempt bond financings and across a portfolio of 64 million square feet and 230 assets comprised of life sciences, film & entertainment, advanced manufacturing, off shore wind, and green economy businesses.

Melissa joined the NYCEDC in 2022, after two decades in the private sector as a leading business executive and property developer. In her Executive leadership roles at Lendlease and Forest City, she led teams and businesses that assembled, entitled, capitalized and constructed millions of square feet of mixed-use office, housing and entertainment developments. Melissa managed key negotiations with capital partners and government entities; oversaw the development of Pacific Park Brooklyn, anchored by the Barclays Center, new transit infrastructure and thousands of units of affordable and market-rate housing; and pioneered the use of modular housing for high-rise urban development.

A committed civic leader, Melissa proudly serves as a Trustee of the Henry Street Settlement. She has received numerous recognitions including Crain’s 40 Under 40, City & State’s Women of Public & Civic Mind, and the Commercial Observer Real Estate Power 100. Melissa graduated from Harvard College and the Harvard Business School. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two children.