NY Gov. Kathy Hochul taps Barbaralee Diamonstein Spielvogel to CUNY trustees board
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Barbaralee Diamonstein Spielvogel, a 91-year-old campaign donor, to the City University of New York’s board of trustees. Her appointment comes amid accusations of hate speech and antisemitism at CUNY, including an incendiary commencement address by a CUNY law school graduate. Spielvogel is replacing Fernando Ferrer, whose term expires at the end of June. Ferrer had endorsed Hochul’s Democratic primary rival, Tom Suozzi, last year. Spielvogel, who has donated $7,500 to Hochul’s campaigns, has worked at the White House and chaired the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation, which focuses on civic leadership, public affairs and diplomacy. She and her late husband have made significant donations to the campaigns of Democratic Party leaders including President Biden, the Democratic National Committee, and former Governors Andrew Cuomo, Eliot Spitzer, and David Paterson.
FAQs on Spielvogel’s appointment and CUNY’s recent controversies:
Q: Who is Barbaralee Diamonstein Spielvogel?
A: Spielvogel is a 91-year-old campaign donor who has worked at the White House and chaired the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation, which aims to support projects of civic leadership, public affairs and diplomacy.
Q: Why was Spielvogel appointed to CUNY’s board of trustees?
A: Spielvogel’s appointment comes amid accusations of hate speech and antisemitism at CUNY, including an incendiary commencement address by a CUNY law school graduate. Her appointment also follows the end of Fernando Ferrer’s term, who endorsed Hochul’s Democratic primary rival last year.
Q: What is the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation?
A: The Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports projects focused on civic leadership, public affairs and diplomacy, projects of cultural merit, original educational initiatives, and science, medicine and health.
Q: What are the accusations of hate speech and antisemitism at CUNY?
A: Recently, there has been a general outcry over hate speech and antisemitism at CUNY on several fronts. An incendiary commencement speech by a CUNY law school graduate contained accusations against Jewish students and faculty, and a Hunter College professor was arrested for wielding a machete at a journalist. Jewish activists have also spoken out against the lack of Jewish leaders at CUNY’s 25 campuses.
Q: Who else did Governor Hochul reappoint to the CUNY board of trustees?
A: Governor Hochul reappointed Bill Thompson as chairman of CUNY’s board of trustees. Thompson co-signed a statement condemning the aforementioned law school graduate’s speech as hate speech. She also reappointed vice chair Sandra Wilkin.

Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, Appoints Barbaralee Diamonstein Spielvogel to CUNY Board of Trustees.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has caused controversy by appointing 91-year-old Barbaralee Diamonstein Spielvogel as a member of the City University of New York’s board of trustees. Critics argue that the appointment is inappropriate given recent accusations of hate speech and antisemitism at CUNY’s campuses. Spielvogel, a wealthy donor and wife of former US ambassador to the Slovak Republic and campaign donor, Carl Spielvogel, has made extensive donations to Democratic Party figures, including President Biden and Hillary Clinton. She replaces Fernando Ferrer, a trustee who endorsed a rival to Hochul in last year’s Democratic primary.