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Maria Torres-Springer
Torres-Springer in 2022
First Deputy Mayor of New York City
In office
October 8, 2024 – February 17, 2025
MayorEric Adams
Preceded byAnne Williams-Isom (acting)[1][2][3]
Sheena Wright
Deputy Mayor of New York City for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce
In office
January 1, 2022 – October 8, 2024
MayorEric Adams
Preceded byVicki Been
Succeeded byVacant
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 (age 48)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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 was the First Deputy Mayor of New York City from October 8, 2024 to February 17, 2025.[4][5] Previously the vice president for U.S. programs at the Ford Foundation, Torres-Springer has been New York City's Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce; Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services; and Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. She was also the president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.[6] Torres-Springer is the first Filipina to serve as First Deputy Mayor of New York City.

Early life and education

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Torres-Springer was born in Los Angeles, California, to parents from the Philippines: her father Manny from Pampanga and her mother Elsa from Batangas. She lived in the Philippines from ages nine to fourteen after her mother passed away.[7] The family often struggled financially, relying on Section 8 vouchers and food stamps throughout her childhood.[8]

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.[9][10]

Career

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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).[9]

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.[9] De Blasio later appointed Torres-Springer to lead the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.[11] In those roles, she redeveloped the Spofford Juvenile Center into an arts center with affordable housing.[citation needed] Torres-Springer also oversaw the Far Rockaway, Queens neighborhood plan.[9] 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."[12] 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.[13][14] 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.[8][10]

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.[15]

In October 2024, Torres-Springer was appointed First Deputy Mayor of New York City after the resignation of Sheena Wright.[16] Torres-Springer resigned on February 17, 2025.[17]

Personal life

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Torres-Springer resided in Brooklyn. She is married to Jamie Torres-Springer, President of Construction & Development at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and has two daughters.[9][18][19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Eric Adams order lays out what happens if Sheena Wright leaves".
  2. ^ "Mayor Adams quietly issues order shifting embattled top deputy Sheena Wright's powers if she's unable to do job – weeks after FBI raided her home".
  3. ^ "Executive Order 45".
  4. ^ "Mayor Adams Appoints Maria Torres-Springer as First Deputy Mayor". The official website of the City of New York. October 8, 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  5. ^ Morales, Gloria Pazmino, Mark (2025-02-17). "Four top deputies to Eric Adams have resigned, New York mayor says | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2025-02-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Mayor de Blasio Appoints Maria Torres-Springer as Next Economic Development Corporation President". The official website of the City of New York. June 29, 2015. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  7. ^ Visaya, Momar (October 31, 2024). "'HARD WORK, HUMILITY, AND OPTIMISM' Maria Torres-Springer Reflects on Leadership and the Importance of Filipino American History Month". Asian Journal News. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Kaur, Brahmjot (December 22, 2021). "Two Asian American women appointed deputy mayors of N.Y.C." NBC News. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  9. ^ a b c d e "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.
  10. ^ a b Tagala, Don (2021-12-20). "Fil-American woman tapped as New York City deputy mayor". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  11. ^ Coltin, Jeff (May 2, 2018). "Being a woman in government policy, with Maria Torres-Springer". City & State NY. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  12. ^ "Maria Torres-Springer | HPD Commissioner | De Blasio Admin". The Real Deal New York. February 1, 2019. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  13. ^ Dervishi, Kay (February 2, 2021). "New York philanthropic leaders discuss steps for a fair COVID recovery". NYN Media.
  14. ^ "Ford Foundation appoints Maria Torres-Springer as next vice president for US programs". Ford Foundation. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  15. ^ Brand, David. "Emails: City Hall fast-tracked Hudson Yards inspections, forcing FDNY to cancel on schools, housing". Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Mayor Adams Appoints Maria Torres-Springer as First Deputy Mayor". The official website of the City of New York. October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Morales, Gloria Pazmino, Mark (2025-02-17). "Four top deputies to Eric Adams have resigned, New York mayor says | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2025-02-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Visaya, Momar (9 February 2014). "NYC mayor appoints Fil-Am to key post". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  19. ^ "The Family". La Fundación MOSIS. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
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