STATEN ISLAND, NY– The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation recently held its Felix Gilroy Green Genesis Awards at the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton.

This year’s ceremony, which took place June 12, honored Northwell Staten Island University Hospital and Greg Feldman, partner at Feldco Development and Drishti Development.

The event, which brought the Forum for a Sustainable Future 2025 series to a close, honored leaders’ commitments to environmental progress and carried on the legacy of Felix Gilroy. The SIEDC board member, attorney, and environmental advocate was a key player in advocating for a green zone along the borough’s West Shore and promoted the collective responsibility to preserve the natural environment.

The awards were distributed by Liam Gilroy, president of Clarity Financial Strategies and an SIEDC member, and Justine Thompson, in memory of their late father.

The forum, presented by National Grid and Pratt Industries, addressed environmental issues impacting Staten Island’s businesses and communities. The series began in March and included fireside chats, keynote panels, and behind-the-scenes tours at key sustainability sites such as Pratt Industries, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, and the Staten Island Zoo.

Corporate sponsors of the forum series included NYC Councilman David Carr, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, Con Edison, JPMorgan Chase, Northfield Bank, and the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.

“For this year, we redesigned SIEDC’s Forum for a Sustainable Future as a multi-part, hands-on experience rather than a one-day event,” said Mike Cusick, SIEDC president & CEO. “Honoring Northwell Staten Island University Hospital and Greg Feldman with the Felix Gilroy Green Genesis Awards was a fitting way to close the series, as they are living examples of how innovation and action can shape a greener future for Staten Island.”

Melissa Panzo, associate executive director of Hospital Operations, accepted the award on behalf of Northwell Staten Island University Hospital. The health-care facility’s program, Northwell’s Trees for Babies, aims to plant 30,000 trees, one for each baby born in Northwell hospitals across the state.

Feldman was awarded for his work in integrating clean energy into Staten Island’s built environment. Through Feldco Development, Feldman played a key role in Expressway Plaza community solar project, which is now helping to power homes in the Graniteville neighborhood.

The organization will continue to educate on sustainability and enhance the Staten Island community at the SIEDC and Staten Island Industrial Alliance Transportation & Infrastructure Summit at the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook, on Sept. 19.