Fresh Faces on the Board of Trustees
Anna Ashurov ’12, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn ’24, and Tyler Korff ’12 Join the Board of Trustees
Three alumni, including an elected state official, a tech entrepreneur, and a fintech executive, have been elected to the Brooklyn Law School Board of Trustees, bringing a wide range of new experiences and perspectives to the Law School’s governing body.
Frank Aquila ’83, Board of Trustees Chair, said that “the Board is delighted to be welcoming Anna, Rodneyse, and Tyler as new Trustees. All three have already generously given of their time, talent, and treasure to the Law School. Although relatively recent graduates, they have each achieved great success and the Board will benefit from their advice and counsel.”
One of the new Trustees is New York State Assembly Member and Majority Whip Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn ’24, who graduated last year after attending the Law School part-time while also serving as an elected state official. A Brooklyn native who was born and raised in Flatbush, she represents the 42nd Assembly District in the New York State Assembly where she also serves as the Majority Whip. Her district encompasses Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush, and Midwood. Bichotte Hermelyn is also the County Chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, the largest county Democratic Party in the nation, representing over 1.2 million Democrats across the borough. As the daughter of Haitian immigrants and heir to Haiti’s slave abolitionist Jean-Jacques Dessalines, she made history as the first Haitian American woman elected in New York City.
"I'm immensely honored to be appointed to Brooklyn Law School’s Board of Trustees and to join an incredible roster of renowned, talented, and accomplished lawyers,” Bichotte Hermelyn said. “As a recent graduate, I have a deep appreciation for Brooklyn Law School's mission to not only impart knowledge and skills, but also instill students with ethical values and understanding to advance our legal system for the better. As a legislator, I’m honored to use my comprehensive legal education and deep real-world experience to keep improving Brooklyn Law School for our next generation of legal leadership."
Since becoming a legislator in 2015, Bichotte Hermelyn has introduced more than 200 pieces of legislation, 34 of which became law, and has co-sponsored over 250 others. She chairs the subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and serves on the following committees: Housing, Education, Governmental Operations, Health, Higher Education, and Ways & Means. She also sits on Governor Kathy Hochul’s Domestic Violence Advisory Council and New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ MWBE Task Force.
Two other alumni who graduated 12 years ago and are making important strides in their fields have also been named as trustees. One is Anna Ashurov ’12, who worked in finance during the day while attending Brooklyn Law School at night and is now the global head of commercial operations and transactions for BlackRock’s Aladdin, the investment management fintech (financial technology) platform of BlackRock. Her passion for education is reflected in other leadership roles, including chairing the board of a K-8 private school serving 400 students in South Brooklyn, where she leads strategy and vision on empowering young minds through innovative learning experiences. Ashurov has recently become a managing director at BlackRock, one of the world’s preeminent asset management firms.
“Joining the Board of Trustees at Brooklyn Law School holds deep significance for me, as it allows me to give back to the institution that shaped my legal thinking and personal growth,” Ashurov said. "My experience as an evening student taught me the value of perseverance, balancing rigorous academics with professional responsibilities, and instilled in me a commitment to lifelong learning. I am especially excited to serve alongside such esteemed trustees, whose dedication to the school’s mission inspires me to contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of Brooklyn Law School and its scholars.”
Ashurov came to the U.S. from Russia as a refugee when she was a teenager, with her parents and two younger sisters. When she was only 15, she enrolled at Baruch College and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration. During the 2008 financial crisis, she was working in the restructuring group at Barclays Investment Bank and fell in love with complex deals, which inspired her to go to law school.
Another new Trustee bringing unique experience to the boardroom is Tyler Korff ’12, who had previously served as a Recent Graduate Trustee. After practicing corporate law as a solo practitioner for more than a decade, he transitioned to the technology space and is currently a cofounder of Effi Software, an interactive live video software platform. He is also a director at National Amusements, a world leader in the motion picture exhibition industry and controlling shareholder of Paramount Global. In addition, Korff is a rabbi.
“I’m truly honored to rejoin the Board and work alongside such a forward-thinking, dedicated group,” Korff said. “The foundational skills I developed at Brooklyn Law School had a lasting impact on my career as a practicing attorney and have continued to guide me in the business world. I look forward to working with the Board and the administration as they continue their efforts to uphold the school’s core values while embracing new opportunities for growth and progress.”
The foundational skills that Korff said he remembers most in Law School include those he acquired through the school’s highly ranked Legal Writing program, and as an editor on the Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial & Commercial Law. Another highlight of his experience, Korff says, was serving as research assistant for Anita and Stuart Subotnick Professor of Law Anita Bernstein.
Brooklyn Law School extends a warm welcome to Anna, Rodneyse, and Tyler as our newest Trustees.