Board & Staff

Vanessa Pino Lockel is currently the Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk). Ms. Lockel’s expertise in community engagement and government relations parallels CCE Suffolk’s mission. She believes in inclusive collaboration, public engagement, transparency and responsiveness in tending to the needs of Suffolk County. Prior to her work at the MTA, Ms. Lockel worked for the Governor’s Office directly as a Regional Representative and for the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery during Sandy as the director of the region handling resiliency projects. She has also served as Deputy Press Secretary in the Office of State Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli and as Director of Community Outreach at the former New York State Banking Department under Superintendent, Diana Taylor.

In addition to her role in government, she has been a registered lobbyist for the New York City Beverage component of the American Beverage Association, an International Product Manager for Merrill Lynch, a Research Specialist at JP Morgan, and a Program Director that trained transitional inmates at Ossining Correctional Facility for Community Capital Resources, a nonprofit in Westchester.

“Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk safeguards the quality of life for Suffolk County residents, and ultimately stands for a healthy, sustainable Long Island,” said Vanessa Lockel. “It’s my honor to lead this organization in helping the region’s farmers, fishermen, families and youth through the challenging times ahead.”

Ms. Lockel graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bates College and a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.  She has also completed doctoral coursework at Stony Brook University in Social Welfare.