"How Can NYC Advance Economic Mobility Amid Harmful Federal Policies?" 
The Center for an Urban Future's second annual NYC Economic Opportunity Summit

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 
8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
150W17TH (formerly The Rubin Museum)
150 West 17th Street

Replay of event
Event materials
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This year’s summit arrived at a moment when the federal government is launching an unprecedented assault on programs that have long proven effective at reducing poverty and advancing economic mobility. In the face of sweeping current and proposed federal budget cuts and harmful policy shifts from Washington, it’s more important than ever for city and state leaders to step up with bold policies and investments that protect New York’s safety net and strengthen the programs and initiatives that help New Yorkers exit poverty and achieve financial stability. 

This timely event discussed the specific steps that New York leaders should take. It featured several compelling, solutions-focused conversations—including a fireside chat with the chancellor of SUNY; a panel with four former Deputy Mayors; a conversation with the founding co-director of Opportunity Insights, one of the nation’s leading research centers focused on expanding upward mobility; and a discussion with leaders of New York-based organizations that are having a positive impact on economic mobility but see risks ahead for the New Yorkers benefiting from these programs.

Speakers included:

• John B. King Jr., Chancellor, State University of New York (SUNY)
• Melanie Hartzog, Former Deputy Mayor; President and CEO, The New York Foundling
• Marc Shaw, Former First Deputy Mayor; Chair of the Advisory Board and Senior Advisor, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance
• Anthony Shorris, Former First Deputy Mayor; Partner, McKinsey & Company
• Richard R. Buery, Jr., CEO, Robin Hood
• La'Shawn Allen-Muhammad, Executive Director, Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation
• Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director, New York Jobs CEO Council
• Steven Colón, CEO, Bottom Line
• John Friedman, Founding Co-Director, Opportunity Insights; Dean, Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University
• Reuben Ogbonna, Executive Director & Co-Founder, The Marcy Lab School
   

This event was made possible thanks to generous support from Robin Hood. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation and the Altman Foundation, support from Fisher Brothers Foundation for CUF's Middle Class Jobs Project, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.