Battery Conservancy selects Recart as new president

Manhattan, NY The Battery Conservancy has selected Paula Recart to assume the position of president of The Battery Conservancy on November 19, 2025. Recart’s election by the board of trustees follows an exhaustive five-month search in the which the board’s search committee was assisted by search consultants DRG. 

Paula Recart comes to the Battery following six years as chief impact officer of McCourt Global, before which she spent 11 years at Ashoka, a non-profit social entrepreneur network, as a partner and eventually as North American director. She has conceived and launched public engagement initiatives at New York cultural institutions such as The Shed, where she serves on the board of directors. Recart has a life-long passion for horticulture and has served as a volunteer gardener at The Battery. 

McKinsey & Co. senior partner Jill Zucker, who chaired the Conservancy’s search committee said, “We are thrilled to have found a non-profit executive of Paula’s stature and experience to lead the Battery into its second act.” 

The Conservancy’s board chair, author and retired Sullivan & Cromwell partner Fred Rich, said, “Without Warrie Price, New York wouldn’t have the magnificent park we have today. This is a pivotal moment for The Battery. We must now pass the torch to someone who can build on Warrie’s extraordinary legacy and expand programming that serves our vibrant downtown neighborhood, our millions of visitors from around the world, and all New Yorkers.”

The Conservancy’s founding chair, Bill Rudin, said “I've had the honor and pleasure to work alongside Warrie for over 30 years, during which time I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible and enduring impact she's had on The Battery. Through her unwavering dedication, vision and tenacity, she has breathed new life into the park, restoring its beauty and adding to all that makes Lower Manhattan a wonderful place to live, work and visit. Thank you, Warrie, for your commitment and for leaving a legacy we can all be proud of.”

Paula Recart said, “I love the park and am committed to working with the Conservancy’s talented staff, our downtown community, the Parks Department and all of our valued partners to preserve and advance Warrie’s remarkable vision of a beautiful place that is welcoming for all.” 

Warrie Price said, “The transformation of The Battery could not have been accomplished without the partnership of my long-time board chair, Bill Rudin, the generous supporters who stood with us year after year, and my dedicated and talented staff. I hope that all of us will come together in support of Paula and the vision we have shared for three decades.”