Susan M. Hinkson is a seasoned executive, trusted advisor, and widely respected leader whose career spans more than four decades across real estate development, land use policy, government administration, and strategic planning. Her professional journey reflects a unique blend of analytical rigor, architectural insight, and public-sector leadership, all underscored by a steadfast commitment to helping organizations navigate complex physical, regulatory, and financial environments. Known for her ability to move seamlessly between public and private spheres, she has built a reputation for shaping transformative development projects and guiding institutions through pivotal moments of growth, change, and reinvention.
Her career began in the architecture and cultural institutions sector, where she managed multimillion-dollar design and construction initiatives for the City of New York. Overseeing a $300 million capital portfolio at the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Susan quickly demonstrated her ability to integrate artistic, civic, and structural priorities while ensuring projects remained on schedule and within budget. This early foundation deepened her expertise in development strategy, stakeholder engagement, and the stewardship of publicly significant assets, setting the stage for her transition into broader leadership roles.
Susan’s capabilities soon led her to Sullivan County, New York, where she served as Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Community Development. In this role, she oversaw wide-ranging initiatives spanning land banking, main street revitalization, corporate office development, and economic development programs. She became known for her ability to transform communities by aligning local government needs with long-term strategic plans, ensuring that development was both visionary and achievable. Her leadership helped catalyze economic activity while preserving the character and needs of the communities she served.
Her growing influence in the land use and planning sectors resulted in her appointment as Brooklyn Borough Commissioner for the NYC Department of Buildings. Managing a 300-person office, she oversaw zoning interpretation, building code enforcement, emergency response coordination, and critical intergovernmental communication. This position placed her at the center of New York City’s most dynamic development era, where her decisions shaped the built environment of one of the country’s fastest-growing urban landscapes. She became widely respected not only for her technical command but for her balanced, thoughtful approach to public safety, policy interpretation, and community engagement.
In recognition of her exceptional judgment and strategic clarity, Susan was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals, where she later served as Vice Chair. This quasi-judicial role required her to adjudicate complex zoning cases, interpret municipal codes, lead public hearings, and resolve disputes involving major development proposals. Her tenure at the BSA was marked by fairness, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to transparency. She emerged as an influential voice in shaping citywide land use policy, often guiding decisions that carried long-term implications for economic development, housing, and urban growth.
After more than a decade in senior public-sector leadership, Susan transitioned into the private sector as Managing Director of Land Use, Housing & Real Estate at Capalino+Company. There, she leveraged her deep public-sector knowledge to help clients navigate regulatory frameworks, secure entitlements, structure financing, and advance high-impact projects. Her work bridged the gap between public policy and private development, empowering organizations to realize complex visions through strategic planning, due diligence, and relationship building. Her leadership also expanded Capalino’s reach in energy, entertainment, and international ventures.
Her success in this arena led her to co-found and later lead Capalino Ventures, LLC, now rebranded as CB+T Advisors, LLC, where she currently serves as Managing Member. Under her guidance, the firm has grown into an internationally minded advisory group supporting groundbreaking initiatives in real estate, finance, energy, and entertainment. Susan’s approach emphasizes rigorous analysis, thoughtful risk assessment, and the cultivation of high-performance teams. She is deeply committed to ensuring that clients have not only a strong strategy but the organizational capacity, political insight, and financial structure required to execute effectively.
Beyond her executive accomplishments, Susan has distinguished herself through extensive nonprofit and academic service. She is a Trustee of New York Law School—also supporting the Susan M. Hinkson Scholarship, dedicated to empowering academically deserving women—as well as a Trustee of the Municipal Art Society, Wave Hill, and the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Previously, she served on the boards of the Bronx Museum of the Arts and Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC. Her sustained engagement in civic institutions reflects her belief in stewardship, community impact, and the importance of cultivating future leaders.
A Registered Architect in the State of New York, Susan holds a J.D./LL.M. in Real Estate Development from New York Law School and a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute. Her interdisciplinary training continues to shape her leadership style, allowing her to examine challenges through legal, architectural, financial, and social lenses. This perspective has made her an invaluable partner for organizations seeking clarity amidst complexity and progress amidst uncertainty.
Beyond her professional commitments, Susan finds joy in traveling, public engagement, and mentorship. She values the power of diverse experiences to shape thoughtful leadership and remains committed to elevating voices, projects, and institutions that serve the public good. With conversational Spanish and extensive international exposure through her advisory work, she brings a global sensibility to everything she undertakes.
Today, Susan stands as a compelling candidate for board service, offering a rare combination of operational depth, policy expertise, creative problem solving, and a steady leadership presence. Her decades-long record of service across public, private, and nonprofit organizations positions her as a strategic asset to any board seeking governance strength, vision alignment, and informed decision-making.
Character:
Susan exemplifies unwavering integrity, consistently approaching complex challenges with fairness, public-mindedness, and a genuine dedication to ethical leadership. She demonstrates resilience and composure in high-stakes environments, ensuring that stakeholders trust her judgment and intentions. Her commitment to service reflects a deep sense of responsibility toward communities, institutions, and individuals she supports.
Knowledge:
She brings an extraordinary depth of expertise drawn from more than forty years in land use, real estate strategy, government regulation, and urban development. Her interdisciplinary background enables her to approach decisions with a sophisticated understanding of legal frameworks, financial structures, and architectural principles. This breadth of knowledge allows her to quickly assess risks, identify opportunities, and inform sound strategic governance.
Strategic:
Susan approaches every challenge through a long-term, systems-based lens that aligns operational realities with organizational goals. She has a demonstrated ability to structure complex projects, anticipate potential obstacles, and guide teams toward stable, sustainable outcomes. Her leadership blends analytical precision with creative problem solving, resulting in strategies that are both visionary and actionable.
Communication:
Her communication style is clear, balanced, and grounded in deep respect for diverse perspectives, allowing her to build consensus even in contentious environments. She excels in public hearings, stakeholder meetings, and board settings, where she articulates ideas with clarity and authority. Susan’s ability to translate complex technical information into accessible insights strengthens decision-making and fosters trust across all audiences.
