ABNY uses its signature programs–Power Events, special briefings, educational events, Young Professionals programming, ABNY Women events, and special projects–to bolster civic engagement for all New Yorkers.
ABNY special projects build on the foundation created by the Census 2020 effort and work with community-based organizations to support and strengthen the most vulnerable New Yorkers and communities across the city and state.
To view photos from our past events, please visit the ABNY Flickr page here.
The MTA's Janno Lieber spoke about rebuilding and expanding New York's transit system to make it faster, better, and more affordable.
Director of DCP and Chair of the City Planning Commission Marisa Lago held a candid conversation on her career path and experience as the City Planning Commission Chair.
Real estate developer Harry Macklowe offered ABNY YPs the unique opportunity to view and to discuss his proposal for a new building which would be the tallest in Midtown Manhattan.
ABNY welcomed back Governor Cuomo, who provided an overview of the State budget and an explanation of congestion pricing.
Patrick Orecki of the Citizens Budget Commission provided an analysis of the New York State budget process and an update on the fiscal year 2020 budget.
Executive Director of the Port Authority Rick Cotton took the ABNY stage to update members on the area's regional and international airports.
Council Member Powers discussed his path to public service and his legislative vision for New York City and his district compromising the East Side and Midtown Manhattan
In honor of Earth Day, YPs worked with Hudson River Park Friends Green Team to participate in gardening and maintenance projects. Volunteers engaged in a team building activity to connect to the park and nearby communities.
YPs gathered to watch the Netflix documentary, Knock Down the House, featuring four women running for Congress in the 2018 elections. Viewers then participated in a lively discussion after the film.
Jessica Yager, former Executive Director of NYU's Furman Center and current Vice President of Policy and Planning at Women In Need, led an informational discussion regarding State rent regulations and proposals to change current laws.
NY1's Grace Rauh gave insight into New York City politics. Through her lens as a journalist, she led a discussion on issues facing women in the workplace and in positions of leadership.
Generation Citizen hosted "Civics Day " where students from public high schools citywide presented their action projects to YPs and other community leaders.
ABNY convened a discussion on the future of employment and economic development opportunities in NYC with Jonathan Bowles, Center for an Urban Future; Purnima Kapur, formerly of DCP; Gail Mellow, LaGuardia Community College; Seth Pinsky, RXR Realty; and NYC Council Member Ritchie Torres.
YPs participated in a guided debate on proposals to change the current NYC specialized high schools admissions policy. Small group discussions were facilitated by Micah Lasher, Sidewalk Labs; Jeanette Moy, Public Health Solutions; Gitte Peng, Queens Public Library; and Dennis Walcott, Queens Public Library.
Congressman Rose joined ABNY for the first time to discuss his vision and priorities for Staten Island and the rest of New York City.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Dfaz Jr. spoke about his path into office, vision for the Bronx, and his plans for making that vision a reality.
YPs participated in the Hudson River Park Games, a day celebrating sports and supporting the park.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes joined YPs to discuss his journey to elected office and the significant legislation he worked to pass in 2019.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul reflected on her experiences leading up to becoming Lieutenant Governor, the challenges of being a working and traveling mother, and balancing it all.
Bradley Tusk joined YPs to discuss his career path, approach to political change, and the evolving political landscape in New York City.
Moses Gates, Vice President for Housing and Neighborhood Planning at RPA and Angela Pinsky, Executive Director at ABNY, talked about the recent legislative changes to rent regulations and implications for New Yorkers.
ABNY gathered policy experts to break down the impact of the 2019 legislative session on NYC. Topics and speakers were: climate change with Miles Farmer, NRDC; micro-mobility with Assemblymember Nily Rozic; prevailing wage with Zachary Steinberg, REBNY; sports betting with Katharine Neer, Greenberg Traurig; drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants with Steve Choi, New York Immigration [...]
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York invited YPs on an exclusive tour to learn more about the bank's roles and responsibilities in the public and private sectors and to catch a glimpse of the world's largest accumulation of gold.
The YPs toured the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm and spoke with Gwen Schantz, Co Founder and Chief Creative Officer, about the farm's development and how to promote sustainable living and local ecology through food, education, and events.
Governors Island's Vice President of Public Affairs, Sarah Krautheim, and Director of Operations Planning and Sustainability, Mollie McGinnis, led a tour of the one-time military base. They shared the island's history, from its transformation into one of NYC's top summer destinations to its plan to keep the island open year round.
NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop discussed his experiences in government, the path to his current position, and some of SBS's ongoing initiatives.
First Deputy Comptroller Alaina Gilligo provided an inside look at the Comptroller's office. She explained how the office safeguards the city's fiscal health, roots out waste, fraud, and abuse in local governments, and ensures that municipal agencies serve the needs of all New Yorkers.
Barnard College President Sian Beilock discussed her critically acclaimed book, Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting it Right When You Have To. She showed attendees what happens to our brains when we experience performance anxiety and provided tips for how to combat it.
Commissioner James P. O'Neill highlighted the challenges in sustaining the city's historic crime reductions amid an evolving political climate and examined public safety as a responsibility shared by everyone who lives and works in the nation's safest big city.
ABNY examined the Charter Revision proposals put forth on the November ballot. Gail Benjamin, Chair of the NYC Charter Revision Commission and Carl Weisbrod, Charter Revision Commissioner and Senior Advisor of HR&A, led a discussion moderated by Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies.
Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), David A. Hansell, outlined the functions of ACS and the efforts to bring the child welfare system into the 21st Century.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of L&L MAG MaryAnne Gilmartin discussed her career path, her high-profile real estate projects, and her vision for NYC development.
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