Dr. Camelia Tepelus
Executive Director
Morris Park BID
Dr. Tepelus is the inaugural Executive Director of the Morris Park BID established in 2018. With over 20 years of high-level executive and non-profit experience, Dr. Tepelus successfully operationalized a competitive and effective BID that makes a difference for over 300 businesses on the Morris Park Avenue commercial corridor. Dr. Tepelus work to create innovative economic development programs, corridor marketing, beautification and horticulture projects, policy making and legislative advocacy for the Bronx has been highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, Gotham Gazette and City Limits. Dr. Tepelus is the NY State 2020 “Women of Distinction” honoree of Sen. Alessandra Biaggi.
Previously, Dr. Tepelus worked for the NYC Department of Small Business Services in the Neighborhood360 program, and for the national non-profit ECPAT USA as the NY State Policy and Program Development Director, responsible for legislative advocacy against human trafficking and hospitality businesses engagement on corporate social responsibility. For over a decade, Dr. Tepelus served as the co-founder and international Secretariat Coordinator of TheCode.org, a global business initiative mobilizing the travel and hospitality sector to combat human trafficking worldwide. Dr. Tepelus spoke at hundreds of international events, published academic and empiric research articles and book chapters, and is the recipient of top travel and tourism awards including: Ashoka Changemakers Award, British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award, The Ethical Corporation Award, the Travel and Leisure Magazine Human Rights Leadership Award. Romanian-born, after living and working in 4 countries, Dr. Tepelus chose the Bronx as the home to raise her family.