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Co-op City Times / February 15, 2020
Co-op City Spotlight Deneen Donnley: From playing in Building 7 to SVP and General Counsel of ConEd BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND Former resident Deneen Donnley grew up in Co-op City and credited the community with helping her become successful throughout her career. “I grew up in a community that cares about its kids,� Ms. Donnley said. “The great teachers we had in school who continued to challenge me, gave me advice about college, and were incredibly supportive.� Ms. Donnley moved into Building 7 in Co-op City in January 1970 at the age of five and allthough Ms. Donnely no longer lives in Co-op City, she often visits her mom, Eleanor Donnley, in the same Building 7 apartment in which she grew up, often reminded of the great times she’s spent living in the community. “I lived in Co-op City from age five until I graduated law school at age 28, except for the four years I was away for college,� she told the Co-op City Times. Like many of the children who live in Co-op City today, Ms. Donnley attended Co-op City schools from elementary to high school. “I never left Co-op City,� she said. “I went to P.S. 178, I.S. 181, and then Truman High School. You could do everything you needed to do without leaving Co-op City. I went to church there, and I went to the store there, I went to day camp, I did it all.� Ms. Donnley studied law and earned her J.D. at Fordham University. Although she didn’t start with a law career in mind, the interest was always there. “Law was still in the back of my mind,� she said. “When I was at Truman, we had a moot court program, and I did that, and I liked it. It was in the back of my mind that maybe I’d be a lawyer, but I went to college, and that’s not what I came out to do.� Instead, she studied economics, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Donnley told the Times it wasn’t until she was called for jury duty, and actually liked the experience, that she decided to pursue law fully. “It was just something that interested me in high school that I set aside until I was on jury duty,� she said. “I made the decision at that point.� And off she went to Fordham Law School. But Ms. Donnley’s inspiration didn’t just come from her stint on jury duty. A friendship she developed as a
“We organized ourselves and kept ourselves entertained in a lot of different ways,â€? she said. After her first job, working as a staff attorney at the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC, Ms. Donnley went on to hold various positions in the field including managing legal and compliance matters for the ING Direct bank in Wilmington, Delaware. Now, as the new senior vice president and general counsel at Con Edison, Ms. Donnley is back in New York City after spending the last nine years in San Antonio, Texas working for The United ServDaneen Donnley, left, as she embarks on her tenure as senior vice president and general counsel at Con Edison. Pictured right is Ms. Donnley at the age ices Automobile Association. She told the Times she’s of five when she moved to Co-op City with her mom, Eleanor Donnley, in January 1970. glad to be back in in her home Photos courtesy ConEd and Daneen Donnley state. kid around her Co-op City neighborhood would, years “It has been great ‌ and Con Ed is a great company,â€? later, encourage her to go for her goals. she said. “I like the people that I’m working with and “I had a friend from Co-op City who went straight the chance to learn something different than the type through to law school and gave me good feedback on of law I’ve been practicing. When I think about the clean energy initiatives, what those options,â€? Ms. Donnley told the Times. “He’s the person who got me interested in going to my first job Con Ed was 10 years ago isn’t what it’s going to look at the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC. He went like 10 years from now. So, it’s a really great time to to elementary, middle, and high school with me.â€? be joining the company.â€? As an only child, Ms. Donnley fondly remembers As a member of senior leadership, Ms. Donnley having a lot of kids to play with in her building and will be the lead lawyer who oversees the team that the surrounding development. defends and protects the company. “It’s something kids who grow up in the suburbs To the children growing up in Co-op City today she don’t have, having so many children just in your one says: “Take advantage of the great things Co-op City circle — for me, Buildings 6, 7, 8 — to play with and has to offer. There’s so much within Co-op City. Take do things with,â€? she said. “It was like having a built- advantage and do your best in school — it will help in extended family. I liked that.â€? propel you. Some of the friends that you make in Co-op City was incredibly diverse when we moved Co-op City growing up are going to be your lifelong there. I had friends from all walks of life and many friends, and that’s a great thing.â€? from different backgrounds. You had so many kids in one building you would just ring buzzers until kids came out to play.â€? She recalled playing double-dutch outside the building as well as tag and Kick the Can.
In Memoriam ~ Virginia Bolling Dec. 25, 1917 – Feb. 8, 2020 We sadly announce the passing of Virginia Bolling of 100 Bellamy Loop, Apt. 15F. She led a beautiful, full life; living to be 102 years old. Loved by family, friends and anyone who ever met her. Mom’s good advice: “Don’t let ‘em fool you� and “Don’t die until you quit the scene.� Mom took her own advice, living her life to the fullest. She passed quietly in her sleep on Saturday, Feb. 8, two weeks after a major stroke. She will be greatly missed. May God continue to bless her soul. Love, —The family