When she joined the New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, Reena Gulati said, she did not believe she would ever be the person in charge.
After years of working her way up the chain of command, Gulati now takes over as president, eager to find ways to interact more with the New Hyde Park community and further grow the chamber.
“I never thought I would be in this position,” Gulati said. “My practice used to be here, I wanted to learn more about the community I was a part of, and I like to help grow businesses around my area.”
Gulati was sworn in as president by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran during the chamber’s installation gala on Jan. 16. She becomes the second consecutive female president, following the two-year term served by Jeanette Frisina.
Gulati’s practice, Reena Gulati PLLC, used to be located in the heart of New Hyde Park before making the move to Lake Success. Specializing in estate planning, business succession, and real estate, Gulati serves clients from Nassau County and Queens.
After residing in New Hyde Park for close to 15 years, Gulati, who now lives in Old Westbury, said her experiences with members in the chamber and community played a large role in her remaining an active member of the organization.
“We have a pretty good chamber that has only gotten better with time,” Gulati said. “For the better part of any business owner’s time, you have significant interactions with the other owners and community that surround you.”
Gulati has spent more than a decade actively working in the chamber and in the New Hyde Park business district. For the last eight years she was a board member before serving as Frisina’s vice president.
Frisina, who was installed as the chamber’s president in 2018, touted Gulati’s work and dedication to the chamber.
“We have an amazing chamber where each President has brought their unique skill sets and efforts that have shaped our chamber’s success,” Frisina said in a statement to Blank Slate Media. “Reena will bring hers and will work hard as President. She is introducing some new ideas and plans to build on the great momentum and growth our chamber has had over the years. She is also backed by a very talented, caring and hardworking board of directors which also includes many of our past presidents!”
Without providing specific details about the plans and initiatives that will be rolled out, Gulati said she is excited to build off the success of past presidents such as Frisina.
“Our most recent past presidents have been so instrumental to the growing success the chamber has seen,” Gulati said. “I certainly didn’t get here by myself, and I don’t expect to run this all by myself either. We have a tremendous board with dedicated people who I am excited to continue working with.”
Gulati did say that she desires to see in an uptick in chamber member attendance at meetings, and for people in the community to interact and contribute ideas to the chamber as well.
In regard to how certain businesses could potentially be affected by the closing of New Hyde Park Road during LIRR construction, Gulati said she intends to work with store owners on ways to combat adverse travel routes.
“While the construction may be a slight inconvenience, there is certainly nothing wrong with trying to get more young professionals and people to take part in our business district,” Gulati said. “There are always changes in a growing environment, and I think New Hyde Park will embrace the changes.”
