Mayor de Blasio Appoints Maria Torres-Springer as Next Economic Development Corporation President

June 29, 2015

First woman to lead EDC will focus on positioning NYC as capital of innovation, tech and advanced manufacturing, unlocking NYC’s human capital to help businesses thrive and New Yorkers grow

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced his appointment of Maria Torres-Springer as the next President of the NYC Economic Development Corporation. Torres-Springer has served as Commissioner for Small Business Services since 2014, spearheading the administration’s efforts to raise wages and expand skill-building in workforce placement programs, grow women-owned and immigrant-owned businesses, streamline the regulatory environment for small businesses, and launch path-breaking initiatives like the Tech Talent Pipeline to grow the tech sector and prepare New Yorkers for 21st century jobs. As the first woman to head EDC, Torres-Springer will prioritize the development of advanced manufacturing, life-sciences and tech in New York City, ensuring businesses have the infrastructure and human capital they need to thrive and catalyzing equitable and sustainable growth in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

“Maria has a proven track-record opening doors for New Yorkers and working closely with businesses to grow our economy. We are proud to have her lead EDC. Maria will focus on growing vital sectors in our economy, and preparing New Yorkers to seize those opportunities so they can be a part of our economic success story,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“I am so proud to see Maria take the helm at EDC. She has already done so much to drive business growth while unlocking the potential of residents and communities across the city. She’s opened new doors of opportunity for women and minority entrepreneurs, raised the wage floor for workers in our job placement programs and brought together resources to start and grow small businesses. As head of EDC, Maria will drive inclusive growth that keeps NYC a capital for innovation and ensures New Yorkers see the benefits of our growing economy,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen.

“It is an enormous privilege to serve as President of the NYC Economic Development Corporation. Our city is powered by the strongest economic engines in the world, and I am thrilled to advance an economic development agenda that fights inequality and helps lift up every New Yorkers,” said incoming President of the Economic Development Corporation Maria Torres-Springer. “I look forward to working with my colleagues at EDC to ensure our economic development programs strengthen our city’s competitive position while delivering quality jobs, livable neighborhoods, and real opportunity for all New Yorkers.”

About Maria Torres-Springer

As Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services, Torres-Springer has focused the agency’s work around three key pillars: creating good jobs, stronger businesses, and a fairer economy. 

Under Torres-Springer’s leadership, SBS launched Small Business First, an unprecedented collaboration among City agencies to change the way government interacts with small businesses and improve the City’s regulatory environment. Her approach to growth and inclusion also resulted in the City’s launch of Women Entrepreneurs NYC (WE NYC), a catalytic effort to expand the economic potential of women entrepreneurs across the five boroughs, with a focus on the specific needs of underserved women and families.

Torres-Springer was integral to the Jobs for New Yorkers Task Force and will continue to play an important role implementing many of the Task Force recommendations to connect New Yorkers to high-quality jobs that offer family-supporting wages. And under Torres-Springer’s leadership, SBS launched the Tech Talent Pipeline, a collaboration between businesses, community groups, training providers and government to grow the tech sector in NYC and prepare New Yorkers for 21st century jobs.

Before being appointed Commissioner of SBS, Torres-Springer served as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. From overseeing the development and implementation of more than 100 initiatives designed to support innovation and entrepreneurship across all industries, to helping lead the Applied Sciences NYC initiative, spurring new applied science and engineering campuses across New York City, Torres-Springer has continually proven her commitment to creating a dynamic city economy that works for all New Yorkers. Torres-Springer has also served at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Rebuilding as a Senior Policy Advisor and as the Chief Operating Officer of Friends of the Highline.

Torres-Springer received a B.A. in Ethics, Politics and Economics from Yale University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.