Profiles in Public Service

Marlon Williams, Director of Cross Agency Partnerships at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, describes how the city's built environment impacts health, his work with the Center for Health Equity, and the challenges and promise of cross-agency collaboration.

James McConnell, Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Data at the NYC Office of Emergency Management, dissects the process by which data turns into emergency response and reminds us that effectiveness in a crisis requires long-term planning supported by accurate information.

The New York Public Library’s geospatial librarian Matt Knutzen discusses his stewardship of half a million maps and 20,000 atlases and the contemporary applications of this vast, historical collection.

Bruce Barrett, the chief architect at New York City's School Construction Authority, explains how design processes and education policy feed into the creation and maintenance of inspiring spaces for learning.

Jeffrey Roth, the Assistant Commissioner for Management Initiatives at the New York City Fire Department, explains how his team is pushing the boundaries of analytics to inform operations and improve government stewardship of public resources.

Brian Loughlin, the chief architect for the Jersey City Housing Authority, takes us on a tour of recent renovations and rehabilitations, demonstrating the architectural innovation and policy acumen required to navigate federal housing programs and create sound homes and neighborhoods.

The Chief of Staff for the Office of Development at HPD explains the agency's strategies for funding, incentivizing, developing, and preserving affordable housing in New York City.

Jim Lau shares the landscape architecture work of the New York State Department of Transportation, including a skatepark under the BQE, a waterfront park in Inwood, and an extensive greenway along the Bronx River.