Fil-Am appointed as first deputy mayor of New York City

Maria Torres-Springer, recently appointed by New York CityMayor Eric Adams as the first deputy mayor, delivers her acceptance speech at Carnegie Hall. A Filipino American and former commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the largest municipal housing agency in the country, Torres-Springer was also honored with the TOFA 2018 Women Empowerment Award. FILE PHOTO/RJ Ensalada

NEW YORK — This Filipino American History Month, Filipinos in New York have an even more special reason to celebrate. 

On Oct. 8, Mayor Eric Adams announced that Maria Torres-Springer, currently the deputy mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce, has been promoted to first deputy mayor of New York City.

In her new role, she will oversee strategic direction, operational management and budgetary oversight for the city, while continuing to manage her existing responsibilities in housing and economic development.

“Throughout my career, I have focused on effective leadership and delivering results for all New Yorkers,” said Torres-Springer in a press statement. “I am grateful to Mayor Adams for this opportunity and look forward to working alongside the dedicated public servants of this city.”

Torres-Springer takes over from Sheena Wright, who held the position and played a pivotal role in the administration’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and city budget stabilization.

“Maria’s extensive experience—over two decades in various city agencies—makes her an excellent choice for this critical role,” said Mayor Adams. “Her leadership will help us achieve our goals as we work to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”

As Deputy Mayor, Torres-Springer led efforts to help the city recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and tackle the housing crisis. Key achievements include:

– Regaining nearly 1 million jobs lost during the pandemic ahead of schedule.

– Reducing Black and Latino unemployment by nearly 30 percent.

– Launching the “Get Stuff Built” initiative to increase housing production.

– Connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing and advancing the Public Housing Preservation Trust to secure renovations for NYCHA residents.

Torres-Springer has also been instrumental in advancing the administration’s “City of Yes” initiatives, which aim to modernize zoning codes to promote sustainability, support small businesses and increase housing availability.

With a focus on strengthening the economy, she aims to create 500,000 new homes by 2032, preserve and enhance NYCHA and expand access to jobs and cultural opportunities.

Her previous roles include vice president of US Programs at the Ford Foundation, where she focused on racial equity and workers’ rights, and commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, where she implemented a 12-year plan to create or preserve 300,000 affordable homes.

Earlier in her career, she served as president and CEO of the NYC Economic Development Corporation, launching new ferry services and revitalizing neighborhoods, and as commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, where she supported wage increases and small businesses.

Torres-Springer holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Many leaders have praised her appointment. Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, noted her capabilities in leading during crises.

Henry Garrido of District Council 37 highlighted her talent and commitment to New Yorkers. Manny Pastreich from 32BJ SEIU expressed confidence in her ability to manage the city’s operations effectively.

Dan Doctoroff, former deputy mayor, called her the most qualified person for the role, commending her experience and clear communication skills. Rob Speyer from the Partnership for New York City emphasized her collaborative approach and focus on results.

Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York said, “No one knows the inner workings of New York City government better than Maria Torres-Springer. Her expertise spans three mayoral administrations and includes an extraordinary record of action, leadership and judgment.”

Julie Samuels, president and CEO of Tech:NYC added, “The reason that everyone from Mike Bloomberg to Bill de Blasio and now Eric Adams have all relied on Maria is because she uniquely understands what New York can and must be and how to get us there.”

“I’ve worked with the deputy mayor across administrations supporting the growth of the city’s tech sector, and I can say first-hand that she will be a formidable force for all of New York.”

Ford Foundation President Darren Walker praised her vision for a more equitable future, while Steven Rubenstein from the Association for a Better New York emphasized her depth of experience. Richard Buery Jr., CEO of Robin Hood, noted her leadership skills and commitment to building a more inclusive economy.