As Big Apple Greeter approaches its 35th anniversary in May 2027, Executive Director Alicia Pierro reflected on her nearly 30 years with the organization.

From memories of our late founder Lynn Brooks to her selection of a “Greeter’s choice” experience for visitors, Alicia shared her commitment to making the world feel a little smaller and friendlier—one Greet at a time.

In August 2026, Big Apple Greeter was featured in news media from Germany to New Zealand. ARD, German public radio, followed along on a German family’s Greet with volunteer Rob Coppersmith, who showed them around his Lower East Side neighborhood and nearby Chinatown and Little Italy. Greeter Dan Morrison led a writer from Kia Ora, Air New Zealand’s in-flight magazine in a walk along Broadway from the Theater District to the Upper West Side.

Fall is a favorite time of year for New Yorkers and visitors as the weather cools down, arts and culture heat up, and the changing leaves bring a riot of color to parks across the five boroughs. Big Apple Greeter volunteers told us some of their favorite things to do in a New York City autumn.

The Brooks Family

In April 2026, long-time Big Apple Greeter volunteer Jerry Rumain and his husband Nick spent a day with local Greeters in the Northern Italian village of Malegno.

Nearly 90-degree heat was no match for the crew who joined Greeter George Lopez for a tour of Green-Wood Cemetery—one of Brooklyn's most extraordinary landmarks.

New York City never stands still, and neither does Big Apple Greeter. Earlier this year we welcomed our new director of volunteers & communications, Cara Ng. A seasoned nonprofit strategist with a background in advertising and a passion for the "only-in-New York" moments that define our mission, Cara is stepping in to help shape our next phase of growth.