Maria Torres-Springer
Deputy Mayor of New York City for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce
Assumed office
January 1, 2022
MayorEric Adams
Preceded byVicki Been
Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
In office
January 17, 2017 – March 7, 2019
MayorBill de Blasio
Preceded byVicki Been
Succeeded byLouise Carroll
President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation
In office
June 29, 2015 – January 16, 2017
MayorBill De Blasio
Preceded byMichael Schlein
Succeeded byJames Patchett
Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services
In office
January 21, 2014 – June 28, 2015
MayorBill de Blasio
Preceded byRobert Walsh
Succeeded byGregg Bishop
Personal details
Born (1977-01-24) January 24, 1977
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
EducationYale University (BA)
Harvard University (MPP)

Maria Torres-Springer (born January 24, 1977) is an American government official and former nonprofit executive who is the Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce for New York City. Previously the vice president for U.S. programs at the Ford Foundation, Torres-Springer was commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services and its Department of Housing Preservation and Development. She was also the president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Early life and education

Torres-Springer's parents emigrated to the New York from the Philippines. They struggled financially and worked in many jobs. Her family used Section 8 vouchers and food stamps throughout her childhood.[1]

Torres-Springer completed a bachelor's degree in ethics, politics, and economics at Yale University. She earned a master's in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.[2][3]

Career

Torres-Springer was a senior policy advisor in the office of the deputy mayor of New York City for economic development and rebuilding. She was the chief operating officer of Friends of the High Line. She worked as the executive vice president and chief of staff of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).[2]

While Bill de Blasio was the Mayor of New York City, Torres-Springer served as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services before becoming the president and CEO of the NYCEDC in June 2015.[2] De Blasio later appointed Torres-Springer to lead the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.[4] In those roles, she redeveloped the Spofford Juvenile Center into an arts center with affordable housing. Torres-Springer also oversaw the Far Rockaway, Queens neighborhood plan.[2] In February 2019, she stepped down from the department of housing preservation in what real-estate magazine The Real Deal called part of "the latest in a wave of top officials leaving the de Blasio administration."[5] During her time in the De Blasio administration, Torres-Springer worked under Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen.

Torres-Springer served as vice president for U.S. programs at the Ford Foundation from 2019 to 2021.[6][7] In December 2021, New York City mayor-elect Eric Adams named her the incoming deputy mayor for economic and workforce development. Torres-Springer and Meera Joshi are the first Asian Americans to serve in these roles. They assumed those positions effective January 1, 2022.[1][3]

In December 2023, it was reported that Torres-Springer was influential in fast-tracking FDNY inspection of 50 Hudson Yards - owned by political donor Related Companies - ahead of several schools, apartments, and other buildings.[8]

Personal life

Torres-Springer resided in Brooklyn. She is married to Jamie Torres-Springer[9][10] and has two daughters.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Kaur, Brahmjot (December 22, 2021). "Two Asian American women appointed deputy mayors of N.Y.C." NBC News. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mayor De Blasio Appoints Maria Torres-Springer Next Commissioner For Department of Housing Preservation And Development And James Patchett President & CEO Of New York City Economic Development Corporation". edc.nyc. January 17, 2017. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  3. 1 2 Tagala, Don (2021-12-20). "Fil-American woman tapped as New York City deputy mayor". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  4. ↑ Coltin, Jeff (May 2, 2018). "Being a woman in government policy, with Maria Torres-Springer". City & State NY. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  5. ↑ "Maria Torres-Springer | HPD Commissioner | De Blasio Admin". The Real Deal New York. February 1, 2019. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  6. ↑ Dervishi, Kay (February 2, 2021). "New York philanthropic leaders discuss steps for a fair COVID recovery". NYN Media.
  7. ↑ "Ford Foundation appoints Maria Torres-Springer as next vice president for US programs". Ford Foundation. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  8. ↑ Brand, David. "Emails: City Hall fast-tracked Hudson Yards inspections, forcing FDNY to cancel on schools, housing". Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  9. ↑ Visaya, Momar (9 February 2014). "NYC mayor appoints Fil-Am to key post". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "The Family". La Fundación MOSIS. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
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