News

Continuing a 190-year tradition of providing outstanding leadership and vision, Rising Ground has attracted four notable business leaders to its Board of Directors: Michael Goldstein, a managing director and co-head of Alpine Credit at MSD Partners; Mariano Gonzalez, Director at Emergent Ventures; Jason Kyrwood, Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP; and Matthew Porter, Managing Director and Associate General Counsel at AIG Investments. Rising Ground, one of New York’s most impactful human services organizations, provides resources and services to more than 25,000 individuals, children, and families each year.

“I am very pleased to welcome these four energetic individuals to Rising Ground,” said Del Percio, a director at Altman Solon. “Michael, Mariano, Jason, and Matthew are each a powerhouse in their own right, and the knowledge they collectively bring to our Board will help move Rising Ground forward to continue its important life-affirming work.”

According to Mucatel, the arrival of these four new Board members comes at an auspicious time. “I congratulate our newest members of Rising Ground’s Board of Directors upon their arrival during a pivotal and historical time. While 2021 marks a moment of reflection as we look back at the extraordinary scope of our work during the last two centuries, we count on their service and vision to help meet the ongoing needs of our 25,000 clients.”

Michael Goldstein observed that: “Rising Ground is unique in that its mission is designed to create positive pathways for children, families, and adults in the Greater New York City area.” I am excited to join the Board of Rising Ground and leverage my experience and relationships to help nurture the growth and development of its many program areas.”

Mariano Gonzalez expressed his thoughts: “The ability of Rising Ground to swiftly mobilize resources for the improvement of the people of New York is truly inspiring. The positive, domino effect this organization creates in the community is precisely what we need to solve some of the world’s toughest problems. I am very happy to join the Board to continue to grow its reach and impact.”

Jason Kyrwood echoed everyone’s sentiments and added: “I am thrilled to join the Board of Rising Ground, and I look forward to helping this extraordinary team further the organization’s mission. From the very first meeting I had, I was struck by the professionalism, talent, and dedication of Rising Ground personnel at every level.”

Matthew Porter shared: “I am honored and humbled to be elected to the Board of this impactful organization. Rising Ground’s fundamental belief that every child deserves a loving home truly resonates with me, and its long history is a testament to its outstanding leadership. I’m excited to work with the Board, Alan Mucatel, and his exceptional staff, to continue delivering on Rising Ground’s commitment to ensuring the health, safety, and stability of families throughout the New York City area.

About Michael Goldstein
As Managing Director and Co-Head of Alpine Credit at MSD Partners, LP, Goldstein manages a long-short credit opportunities fund, investing in high yield and investment grade bonds, leveraged loans, convertibles, and structured debt. He previously worked at Goldman Sachs as a Managing Director and Co-Head of Global High Yield and Bank Loans, and held executive roles at Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC, Credit Suisse and at JP Morgan Chase & Co. He is a graduate of NYU Stern School of Business (MBA, Finance) and Binghamton University (BA, Economics and Political Science). Goldstein resides in Bergen County, NJ, with his wife Mindy. They have two daughters who attend college in the Midwest. When not at work, Goldstein enjoys biking, hiking, and long walks along the Hudson River with his two dogs.

About Mariano Gonzalez
As an Advisor at Emergent Ventures, Gonzalez focuses on growth equity investments in lower middle market and emerging companies with a unique environmental, social, and governance (ESG) edge. He is a member of YPO’s New York Liberty Chapter, serves on the Board of Learning Upgrade, a San Diego based EdTech remote learning company and winner of the 2019 X-PRIZE Foundation competition. He advises AutoCognita, a Hong Kong-based language education company and ATOM360, a health care IT startup company in India. Gonzalez was a Sloan Fellow at London Business School, where he received a master’s degree in leadership and strategy; he received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a B.S. from Trinity University. He is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish and enjoys fencing, basketball, and soccer. Gonzalez lives in New York.

About Jason Kyrwood
As a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in the firm’s Corporate Department, Kyrwood is co-head of the Global Finance Group and regularly advises financial institutions, corporate borrowers, and other alternative credit providers in large-cap syndicated loans, as well as middle market and direct lending transactions. Kyrwood has been with Davis Polk & Wardwell for 21 years and worked previously as an Associate at Allen Arthur Robinson, in Sydney, Australia. Kyrwood is a graduate of Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, where he received both an LL.B. and Bachelor of Commerce. Born in Perth, Western Australia, Kyrwood worked in Sydney before moving to the United States. He now calls Brooklyn home where he resides with his wife and two children. In his free time, he stays active by hiking, playing tennis, running, and taking part in the occasional Spartan competition.

About Matthew Porter
In his role as Managing Director and Associate General Counsel at AIG Investments, Porter leads the legal team which is responsible for providing guidance to clients of AIG Investments in connection with private equity, venture capital and hedge fund investments, minority equity investments in portfolio companies, co-investments and portfolio acquisitions and divestitures. Prior to joining AIG, he was a Senior Associate in the Chicago office of Sidley Austin LLP. Porter is a Fellow of the American College of Investment Counsel (ACIC), a member of the National Bar Association, and actively involved in pro bono matters. He earned a J.D. from NYU School of Law, where he was a staff editor of the Review of Law and Social Change Journal; and his B.A. from Columbia University, where he was a starting linebacker on the school’s football team. Mr. Porter resides in Harlem, currently serves as Vice President of the P.S. 165 PTA, and is a volunteer coach for the Harlem Little League where his son plays baseball.