QBG welcomes two new members, one familiar face

The Queens Botanical Garden’s (QBG) Board of Trustees recently added two new members, and welcomed back a familiar face.

They are Ming-Der Chang, administrative director of Community Health Initiatives and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, and Eunsil Chung, vice president of The Korean New York Daily. 

The board also welcomed back Saul Kupferberg, who is co-chair of QBG’s Capital Campaign Committee and previously served as treasurer. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our new members, who are both key contributors to the local Queens community in both health and media,” said executive director Susan Lacerte. “I can’t wait to see what this talented group will help us accomplish in 2019.”

At NYPQ, Chang created a culturally sensitive outreach program focused on underserved communities. She has been involved with the NYPQ-QBG collaboration, Twist & Sprout, a free family-friendly event focused on healthy living. This year’s event will take place on June 9. 

Prior to her current position, Chang worked at the American Cancer Society for 13 years, and was an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at New York University Medical College.

“I’m very excited to be serving on the board of an organization that has been an oasis in the Queens community for many years,” she said. “It is not only a great place for you to enjoy nature, to relax, and to learn, it is also a great venue for holding memorable events.”

Chung has been editor and vice president of The Korean New York Daily since 2013. She is a graduate of the National Medical Center College of Nursing in Korea, and completed her studies at Yonsei Foreign Language Institute in Seoul with a major in English Literature. 

Chung moved to New York in 1986, where she worked at Elmhurst Hospital for two years. In 2015, Ms. Chung published the book, “Encounter of Essay and Classical Music.”

“I am very excited to promote Queens Botanical Garden to the Korean community, a hidden gem in our borough,” she said. 

Kupferberg is a trustee of The Kupferberg Foundation, the Max and Selma Kupferberg Family Foundation, and Queens College Foundation. 

“It is a pleasure to return to the board of Queens Botanical Garden after a three-year hiatus,” he said. “The Garden has made dramatic progress in the nine years since I first joined the board and I hope to be able to contribute to its continued growth.”

In addition, two new members joined QBG’s Advisory Council. Julia Ermish and Frank Santoro both previously served as board members.

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