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Bill de Blasio
Former Mayor of New York City
- Managed NYC through budget crises, urban unrest, terrorist threats, and a global pandemic, offering real-world crisis leadership lessons
- Fought for and secured the $15 minimum wage for all NYC workers
- Launched The Journey Home, a pioneering plan to combat long-term homelessness
- Former NYC Mayor and campaign manager with firsthand knowledge of America’s political future
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Bill de Blasio is an American political leader who served as the 109th mayor of New York City from 2014 to 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he held the office of New York City Public Advocate from 2010 to 2013. De Blasio started his career as an elected official on the New York City Council, representing the 39th district in Brooklyn from 2002 to 2009.
As mayor, de Blasio led NYC through the Covid-19 pandemic, turning what was once a global epicenter into the safest city in the country.
In 2014, de Blasio created a groundbreaking initiative which ensured that early childhood education became a universal right in the five boroughs. The universal Pre-K and 3-K programs in NYC have become a national model.
During his tenure, NYC financed the preservation and construction of over 200,000 affordable homes, the most created by any administration in the City’s history. In 2019, de Blasio launched a first-in-the nation, 6-point action plan to end long-term homelessness. “The Journey Home” initiative was designed to increase access to housing and health care in combination with rapid-response outreach efforts for homeless individuals living in the streets.
In fulfilling his campaign promise to end a “tale of two cities,” de Blasio implemented policies which successfully reduced income inequality among New Yorkers and fought alongside them to secure a $15 minimum wage for all workers.
In response to the growing climate crisis, de Blasio and the NYC Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act (or the NYC Green New Deal) to make NYC net-carbon-neutral by 2050, as well as groundbreaking legislation to reduce building emissions and to end fossil fuel use in new buildings.
Prior to being an elected official, de Blasio served as the campaign manager for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s successful senatorial campaign of 2000 and got his start in NYC government working for Mayor David Dinkins.
De Blasio graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Metropolitan Studies and from Columbia University with an M.A. in International Affairs.
Leading Through Uncertainty: In a time of unprecedented changes and profound unpredictability in Washington, de Blasio provides practical and inspiring lessons on how to move forward. Drawing on his experience leading NYC through the Covid crisis and navigating three Presidential administrations, he shows how organizations can stick to their vision and marshal their resources even amidst profound uncertainty.
Managing Today’s Crises: More than any previous time in history, crisis management now requires speed, decisiveness, and creativity. De Blasio provides valuable insights and usable strategies learned from years managing NYC through everything from budget crises and urban unrest to terrorist attacks and global pandemic. In all cases, quick decisions and clear communication were crucial, lessons applicable to any organization.
American Politics In 2025: De Blasio has served as a campaign manager, won the mayoralty of NYC, and even ran for President in the 2020 cycle. In office, he worked with three Presidents, including regular dealings with Donald Trump during the Covid crisis. He provides deep and useful insights into how America got to this place and where things are going.
Local Solutions To The Global Climate Crisis: During his time as Mayor of NYC, de Blasio spearheaded a series of major policy reforms to deeply reduce emissions. From retrofitting buildings to converting to renewable energy, his administration proved that any public or private entity has many tools at its disposal to contribute to major change. Rather than wait on the mercurial realities of Washington, de Blasio illustrates a DIY approach that can be utilized right now and to great effect.
Controlling AI Before It Controls Us: While recognizing the vast potential AI has to contribute to areas like healthcare, de Blasio sounds a warning about the troubling lack of guardrails in place to address AI’s dangers. Based on his own experiences developing policies in NYC to create a better balance in the use of AI, de Blasio argues that every company and organization can develop thoughtful policies that can help build a national consensus. No technological development will have a greater impact on our lives than AI and this discussion encourages all stakeholders to take ownership while there’s still time.
America Is Looking For A Home: In the 2024 election, the affordable housing crisis burst onto the national stage like never before. Combined with steadily increasing homelessness, these issues loom large and demand new solutions. De Blasio illustrates real solutions that greatly increased affordable housing and decreased homelessness in the nation’s largest city.
Reaching Our Children When It Matters Most: Research showing the deep impact of educating children before the age of five is conclusive, and yet most of this country doesn’t have available and affordable options for our youngest Americans. De Blasio innovated free, quality, and universal Pre-K and 3-K in our nation’s largest city and created the gold standard that other cities and states now follow. He explains how, in uncertain times, this is a strategy that works and can be applied locally in a cost-efficient, high-impact manner.
