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Maria Torres-Springer

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Maria Torres-Springer
Torres-Springer in 2022
First Deputy Mayor of New York City
In office
October 8, 2024 – March 14, 2025
MayorEric Adams
Preceded byAnne Williams-Isom (acting)[1]
Sheena Wright
Succeeded bySuzanne Miles-Gustave (acting)[2]
Camille Joseph Varlack (interim)[3][4]
Randy Mastro
Deputy Mayor of New York City for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce
In office
January 1, 2022 – March 14, 2025
MayorEric Adams
Preceded byVicki Been
Succeeded byAdolfo Carrión Jr.
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 March 14, 2025.[5][6][7] 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.[8] 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 died.[9] The family often struggled financially, relying on Section 8 vouchers and food stamps throughout her childhood.[2]

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.[10][11]

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).[10]

Torres-Springer served as vice president for U.S. programs at the Ford Foundation from 2019 to 2021.[12][13] In 2025 she returned to the foundation as a senior fellow.[14]

de Blasio administration

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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.[10] De Blasio later appointed Torres-Springer to lead the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.[15] In those roles, she redeveloped the Spofford Juvenile Center into an arts center with affordable housing.[16] Torres-Springer also oversaw the Far Rockaway, Queens neighborhood plan.[10] 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."[17] During her time in the De Blasio administration, Torres-Springer worked under Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen.

Eric Adams administration

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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 as deputy mayors of New York City. They assumed those positions effective January 1, 2022.[2][11]

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.[18]

In October 2024, Torres-Springer was appointed First Deputy Mayor of New York City after the resignation of Sheena Wright.[19] Torres-Springer announced that she would resign from the role on February 17, 2025, leaving office on March 14.[20][7]

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.[10][21][22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Eric Adams order lays out what happens if Sheena Wright leaves". City & State New York. September 27, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Kaur, Brahmjot (December 22, 2021). "Two Asian American women appointed deputy mayors of N.Y.C." NBC News. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  3. ^ Anuta, Joe (March 14, 2025). "Adams names interim first deputy mayor in wake of top staff departures". Politico. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  4. ^ Cone, Allen (March 15, 2025). "New York Mayor Adams names interim top deputy after staff members depart". UPI. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ Morales, Gloria Pazmino, Mark (February 17, 2025). "Four top deputies to Eric Adams have resigned, New York mayor says | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved February 18, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b Anuta, Joe (March 14, 2025). "Adams names interim first deputy mayor in wake of top staff departures". Politico. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  8. ^ "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 October 8, 2024.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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 December 23, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Tagala, Don (December 20, 2021). "Fil-American woman tapped as New York City deputy mayor". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  12. ^ Dervishi, Kay (February 2, 2021). "New York philanthropic leaders discuss steps for a fair COVID recovery". NYN Media.
  13. ^ "Ford Foundation appoints Maria Torres-Springer as next vice president for US programs". Ford Foundation. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  14. ^ "Ford Foundation Awards Senior Fellowship to Maria Torres-Springer". Ford Foundation. March 18, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  15. ^ Coltin, Jeff (May 2, 2018). "Being a woman in government policy, with Maria Torres-Springer". City & State NY. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  16. ^ "Mayor Adams Opens Affordable Homes on Former Site of Spofford Juvenile Detention Center". The official website of the City of New York. June 22, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  17. ^ "Maria Torres-Springer | HPD Commissioner | De Blasio Admin". The Real Deal New York. February 1, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  18. ^ Brand, David. "Emails: City Hall fast-tracked Hudson Yards inspections, forcing FDNY to cancel on schools, housing". Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ Morales, Gloria Pazmino, Mark (February 17, 2025). "Four top deputies to Eric Adams have resigned, New York mayor says | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved February 18, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Visaya, Momar (February 9, 2014). "NYC mayor appoints Fil-Am to key post". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  22. ^ "The Family". La Fundación MOSIS. June 6, 2017. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
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