OUR TEAM

Prior to joining VBGCQ, Costa Constantinides represented the New York City Council’s 22nd District, which includes his native Astoria, as well as Rikers Island, parts of Jackson Heights, Woodside, and East Elmhurst. The son of a Greek-Cypriot immigrant and an education activist, Costa grew up immersed in the diverse fabric of Astoria. Costa attended P.S. 84 and P.S. 122, both in Astoria, before graduating from William Cullen Bryant High School. He attended Queens College where he now teaches as an adjunct lecturer in both the Political Science and Urban Studies departments. In 2010, Costa received his Juris Doctor from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 2014. Some highlights from Costa’s time serving in City Council include:
• Lead the effort to pass the Climate Mobilization Act, the largest carbon emissions reduction ever mandated by any city in the world.
• Supported initiatives that prioritize STEM including allocating capital dollars to put a hydroponic science lab in every school District 22 and working to put solar panels on every solar-ready school in District 22 by 2022
• Secured $30 million to reimagine Astoria Park including renovating running track as well as building a brand-new soccer field, a new Charybdis Playground, new walking paths, and rain gardens.
• Partnered with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to create 500 new units of senior affordable housing by the end of 2021

Costa joined Variety in the Spring of 2021 as the Chief Executive Officer and is looking forward to leading the Club!

Andy brings over twenty-five years of experience in Youth Services and the non-profit sector. His career has been dedicated to youth and family advocacy, designing and implementing dynamic youth programs, and program management and administration across schools, community centers, and non-profit organizations. For the past decade, Andy has been a key leader at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, where he has played an important role in driving positive organizational change. He has been instrumental in expanding and strengthening the organization’s programming, ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs of young people and families. Andy has played a key leadership role in Variety's major redevelopment project and has successfully secured millions of dollars in funding to support long-term sustainable programs. His strategic vision and hands-on leadership have helped Variety grow into a more innovative, impactful, and future-focused community resource. Andy deeply understands and values the transformative power of youth programs and their ability to shape brighter futures for young people and the neighborhoods they live in. A proud Astoria resident for over 20 years, he is passionate about giving back and is excited to continue serving the Variety community.

Barry, a Long Island native, is a proud Club kid and the Director of Philanthropy & Compliance, where he leads fundraising and oversees compliance for programs and capital projects. He is passionate about giving back to the organization that shaped his youth and representing the life-changing work of Boys & Girls Clubs. Barry brings a wealth of legal and business expertise that informs his approach to supporting the Club's mission to empower young people. To date, Barry has played a key role in advancing the Club's $300M redevelopment project, helping to close an $11M funding gap, managing public grants, and providing strategic oversight for major capital projects. His work supports the Club's growth goal of serving 16,000 youth annually by 2030. Barry resides in Brooklyn with his wife. In his free time, he enjoys listening to vinyl records, spending time with family, trying new foods, and traveling.

Susan Agin is the Executive Director for the Queens Culture & Arts Network (QCAN).