Helena Rose Durst

Helena Rose Durst is Chief Administrative Officer and a fourth-generation family member of The Durst Organization. Helena started her career as an intern at the Hudson River Park Trust, where she not only fell in love with the Hudson River waterfront but also gained valuable insight into the City’s complex land-use review process. After studying real estate at Baruch College, Helena joined the leasing department of The Durst Organization. She also instituted a comprehensive greening of the company’s building management operations that has improved landfill diversion rates, green cleaning practices, and resource conservation. In addition to her responsibilities at The Durst Organization, Helena is the President of The New York Water Taxi, New York’s premier recreational and commuter ferry service. Helena has participated in the construction and management of several projects from the ground up, including The Epic, The Helena, and One Bryant Park. When Helena’s not in the city, she can be found at her family’s McEnroe Organic Farm, one of the largest family-owned-and-operated organic farms in New York State. Helena started an education program at McEnroe Organic Farm that aims to reconnect neighbors and youths with agriculture to better understand where our food comes from. Helena is a board member of Just Food, Governors Island Alliance, and the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board.