Our history and mission
City Limits uses investigative journalism through the prism of New York City to identify urban problems, examine their causes, explore solutions, and equip communities to take action. City Limits exists to inform democracy and empower citizens to create a more just city. City Limits is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by foundation support, ad sponsorship and donations from readers.
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Our Team
Gary Clemons
Executive Director
Gary Clemons is a seasoned non-profit executive with 25+ years of experience and a passion for supporting marginalized communities. He tripled the budget and expanded services at Friends of the Children New York, becoming a leader in strategic growth and community partnerships. In his free time, Gary enjoys interior design, traveling, and spending time with his dog, Biggie, while continuing to move the CULTURE forward.
Jeanmarie Evelly
Executive Editor
Jeanmarie Evelly, City Limits’ Executive Editor since 2021, joined the team in 2018, previously serving as youth program manager, deputy editor, and managing editor. A veteran metro reporter, she covered Astoria and Long Island City for DNAinfo.com and reported for Bronx community papers, including the award-winning Norwood News. She holds degrees from SUNY New Paltz, the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, and an MFA from Queens College. She lives in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Daniel Parra
Spanish Language Reporter/Editor
Daniel, City Limits’ Spanish-language editor/reporter, is a seasoned investigative reporter from Colombia. He has worked as a freelancer for more than seven years and has covered war, politics, religion, culture, fashion, and beers. Daniel loves poetry, short stories, and long-form journalism.
Fran Reilly
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Fran Reilly, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Youth Program Development, previously served as Co-Executive Director and Executive Director/Publisher. She leads strategic partnership funding and the youth internship program, CLARIFY. Earlier in her career she was a business development executive on multiple national media startups. She holds an MFA in creative writing. A Bronx native, she lives in Beacon, NY.
Mariana Simões
Climate and Environmental Reporter
Mariana Simões, who joined City Limits in 2023, covers climate and the environment. A Brazilian investigative journalist, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Economist, Vice, and more. A Columbia J-school alum, she has led award-winning projects and directed Brazil’s first journalism cultural center.
City limits board
Martha Nelson, chair
Former SVP and Editor-in-Chief of Yahoo! and former Editor-in-Chief of Time Inc.
Neill Coleman, vice chair
Mark Edmiston, treasurer
Andrew Breslau
Stephen Fee
VP, Communications at Enterprise Community Partners
Erica González Martínez
David R. Jones
Nick Lundgren
Erik Spooner
Chester Jesus Soria
Senior Vice President, Berlin Rosen