Growing up in the lush tropical paradise of the Dominican Republic, Luz Liebeskind recalls an idyllic childhood buoyed by open-minded parents who prioritized school and hard work.
For the first decade of her life, her father had a good job working for Coca-Cola that provided a solid, middle class lifestyle. But when he attempted to unionize the plant, he lost the job. The family eventually moved to New York for better opportunities.
Liebeskind and her twin sister stayed behind to finish up at an accelerated high school. When they joined the family in Washington Heights three years later, the move was a shock. Accustomed to white beaches and palm trees, Liebeskind was now surrounded by concrete and skyscrapers.
She didn’t speak English but listened to local news to learn how to speak faster. She also practiced her English on customers when she sold fruit in front of Lincoln Center. Liebeskind soon enrolled at a secretarial school. She had already learned secretarial work in high school, so she was able to use the new training as a crash course in language.
By 18, she had earned a spot at Baruch College, part of the City University of New York system, known among immigrants as “The Harvard of the Poor.” There, Liebeskind discovered her passion for finance while studying accounting. She took a job out of college in the audit trainee program for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where she met her husband, Scot.
From there, she embarked on an illustrious career in nonprofit finance, eventually landing a dream job as controller at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, she walked past Greek and Roman relics on her way into the office every morning.
After eight years, Liebeskind took a role as chief financial officer at RiverSpring Living and its Hebrew Home.
Liebeskind had converted to Judaism when she married Scot. He had been raised in a traditional Jewish home and felt strongly that the mother of his children be Jewish. She was drawn to the intellectual side of the faith and converted after reading many books and meeting for long, pondering discussions with a rabbi. After she and Scot were married and had two daughters, Liebeskind joined the board of their synagogue and taught herself to read Hebrew.
At RiverSpring, Liebeskind is responsible for all financial operations, capital projects and investment functions. She also manages the Human Resources, Purchasing, and the Art Museum and Research departments. She passes on her love of learning to her team, encouraging open communication and sharing her wealth of experience.
Meanwhile, she has pushed her daughters to pursue higher education. Mariel, 24, is in medical school and Amanda, 28, works in pharmaceutical advertising. Liebeskind now finds herself with more time to pursue interests like reading Spanish literature.
She and Scot also spend every chance they get out in their boat in the waters off of Long Island, where Liebeskind can stay connected to her roots while rocking in the waves.
Resume: 1995, Earns bachelor’s degree from Baruch College, enters audit trainee program at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; 1995-2000, Serves as controller at Montefiore Medical Center; 2000, Named controller of Metropolitan Museum of Art; 2000-2012, Serves as Treasurer of Baruch College Fund; 2008, Earns executive master of science in finance from Baruch College; 2008, Begins role as CFO at RiverSpring Living; 2022, Named a Hall of Honor winner in the McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program.
— Nicole Bowman
From the July/August 2022 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
