Shira Ungar, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Deputy Director of IT, has been with the company for over six years in many different roles. Starting as a Program Event Associate (PEA), Shira was hired full time as the office manager before moving on to work with the Operations and Capital teams. With such a robust experience here at BBP, Shira knows basically everything there is to know about the Park.
Shira says Chief of Staff Sarah Krauss and all their managers encouraged them to try new things they were curious about.
“I started working with [BBP’s] asset management software, because it was something that really interested me from my education,” Shira said. “Then I started moving into the operations department and doing a lot more operations project management.”
Working in asset management software led Shira to take on capital improvement projects, like getting new fencing and playground equipment. Shira managed the design and construction of the Pier 5 playground, which is recognizable by its snail-shaped climbing structure.
“By that time I was managing staff phones, our IT consultant, and a whole slate of systems on top of the playground Capital project. I saw an opportunity to pick a focus and help the park.”
This led to the development of an IT department and their promotion.
Shira says they weren’t quite sure what they were going to do here at the Park when they first started.
“The goal for the job as a PEA was to hang out in the park in the summer and have a cool job in New York, and be outside,” they said. “I thought it was a beautiful park. I studied parks and urban planning in college, and I was like, ‘This sounds cool and great, let me go do that.’ And then the office manager role was to get office experience.”
Shira’s experience here has been shaped significantly by their many managers.
“I think all of my managers have been really strong influences on me,” they said. “I think in particular, Jamie Warren, who’s no longer at Park, and Jeff and Lindsay – especially right now as I’m moving into this bigger role at the park, they’ve been really incredible with helping me shape this new department.”
Shira’s favorite annual Brooklyn Bridge Park event is Movies with a View. Outside of work, Shira enjoys bike riding and rock climbing.