The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is a catalyst for smart and sustainable policies that reduce inequality, increase economic mobility, and grow the economy in New York City. An independent, nonpartisan policy organization, CUF uses fact-based research to elevate important and often overlooked issues onto the radar of policymakers and advance practical solutions that strengthen New York and help all New Yorkers participate in the city’s rising prosperity.
For 25 years, CUF has consistently shaped the policy debate around economic opportunity in New York by publishing reports that are widely covered in the media, highly readable and anchored in rigorous research rather than preconceived notions about outcome.
CUF’s efforts to create a more prosperous, equitable and inclusive New York span many topics and policy areas, and are unified by three common aims:
- Growing New York City’s economy and boosting the number of middle income jobs;
- Helping more people develop the skills and credentials needed to access careers that put them on the path to the middle class; and
- Making New York City—and its many and diverse neighborhoods—a better place to live!
City Futures, Inc. d.b.a. Center for an Urban Future is a non-profit 501(c)(3) with EIN: 13-3185114.
Jonathan Bowles | Executive Director | (212) 479-3347 | [email protected]
Jonathan Bowles is the Executive Director of the Center for an Urban Future, a think tank that serves as a catalyst for smart and sustainable policies to reduce inequality, increase economic mobility, and grow the economy in New York City. For nearly 20 years, Jonathan has been the architect of the organization's policy agenda and is responsible for making the Center one of New York's most innovative and influential organizations, with ideas and recommendations that are widely respected and frequently adopted by policymakers, business leaders, and nonprofit practitioners.
At the Center, Jonathan has authored more than two-dozen reports, including a widely acclaimed 2007 study about the significant impact immigrant entrepreneurs are having on cities' economies, an influential study about New York City's innovation economy, and a report about how to retain and grow New York's middle class. He has been a guest contributor for the New York Times, the Daily News, and the Council on Foreign Relations on a range of urban issues including the need to diversify New York City's economy and the importance of immigrant entrepreneurs. His research about key economic trends facing New York and its five boroughs, the value of small businesses to cities, and the economic impact of industries ranging from air cargo to biotechnology has been covered in publications ranging from the New York Times and USA Today to The Economist. Jonathan is a frequent moderator and speaker at conferences and panel discussions on urban policy in New York and nationally.
In November 2008, the New York Times' City Room blog featured him in their Ask the Expert column, in which he fielded questions from readers for one week about the challenges facing immigrant entrepreneurs. He served on Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer's Small Business Task Force in 2008 to examine the threats facing mom and pop retailers in the borough. In 2006, City Hall News named him one of 35 "Rising Stars Under 40" and in 2005, Time Out New York named him "New York's Finest Troublemaker."
Before joining the Center, he worked as research director for former New York State Senator Franz Leichter and spent time as a freelance journalist.
Eli Dvorkin | Editorial & Policy Director | (212) 479-3319 | [email protected]
Eli Dvorkin is the Editorial & Policy Director at the Center for an Urban Future, where he oversees the development of all publications and advances CUF's research and recommendations on the critical policy challenges facing the city and state. Eli is the author of numerous CUF reports and commentaries, and his policy recommendations have inspired new initiatives from the mayor of New York City, the City Council speaker, and many other elected officials and policymakers. Eli has presented at local and national conferences on issues that reflect his wide-ranging research expertise: building stronger pathways into technology careers, boosting student success at New York's public colleges, supporting cultural equity, expanding support for underresourced entrepreneurs, strengthening public parks infrastructure, and making New York a more livable city for people of all ages and abilities. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Crain's New York Business, New York Daily News, City & State NY, Gotham Gazette, and on WNYC.
Prior to joining the Center, he served as a staff editor at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), editing and producing books, reports, and digital projects by CFR fellows and other experts on the most pressing issues in U.S. foreign policy. Eli was previously an editor and journalist for more than a decade, including stints at Kickstarter and Flavorpill in New York, and the Hurriyet Daily News in Istanbul. He is also a passionate arts organizer and founding member of Silent Barn, a multidisciplinary community arts space based in Bushwick from 2012 to 2018. He was named to the 2023 40 Under 40 list by Crain's New York Business and was selected as a 2023-2024 Coro Leadership New York Fellow. He graduated from Columbia University and lives with his family in Queens.
Stephanie Arevalo | Chief of Staff | (212) 479-3351 | [email protected]
Stephanie Arevalo is the Chief of Staff at the Center for an Urban Future, where she plays a central role in managing internal and external operations: leading the execution of CUF’s slate of high-profile events, including the annual gala and annual economic mobility summit; overseeing day-to day operations; managing finances; running social media; supporting development efforts; and spearheading the internship program. Before joining CUF, she graduated with a BA in Political Science from Pace University, where she spent time working with City Council Member Margaret Chin, on local campaigns, at a clean energy nonprofit, and as a CUF intern(!). These days, you can also find her hosting a weekly trivia night at her local bar. Born in Colombia and raised in Connecticut, she most closely identifies with all things New York.
Rachel Neches | Senior Data & Policy Researcher | (212) 479-3344 | [email protected]
Rachel Neches is the Senior Data and Policy Researcher at the Center for an Urban Future, an independent think tank focused on building a stronger and more equitable New York. At CUF, she leads data-driven research on the creative economy, workforce development, economic mobility, and more. Her work translates data into actionable policy insights that inform decision-making across the city and state. Last year, Rachel was a Forefront Fellow with the Urban Design Forum, where she worked alongside a diverse cohort to envision a New York City where older adults can thrive with support and dignity. She holds a BA in Urban Studies (Economics) from Barnard College. Prior to joining CUF, Rachel served as Manager of Government Affairs and Research at the Times Square Alliance. She lives in Brooklyn.
Sophia Tumolo | Research and Operations Associate | (212) 479-3344 | [email protected]
Sophia Tumolo is the Research and Operations Associate at the Center for an Urban Future. Sophia helps organize CUF’s events, assists in researching and writing reports, and supports the organization’s development activities. Prior to her current position, Sophia was an intern and fellow with CUF. She graduated with her BA in Sociology/ Anthropology and Visual and Material Culture from Goucher College where she studied misogyny and performances of gender in media and art. Sophia lives in Brooklyn and loves to visit New York City’s many cafes and museums.
Alejandra Díaz-Pizarro | Policy Researcher | (212) 479-3344 | [email protected]
Alejandra (Ale) Díaz-Pizarro is a Policy Researcher at the Center for an Urban Future, where she assists in the research and writing of CUF reports. She graduated from Columbia University with a BA in Economics & History, researching topics in education in both disciplines. Ale joined CUF as a Policy Research Intern; before, she was a student journalist at radio station WKCR FM, where she was part of the Pulitzer-recognized team that covered the April 2024 encampments on Columbia’s campus. Ale lives in Manhattan, and can be frequently found at museums, jazz venues, or on the WKCR airwaves.
Andrew Bauld | Visiting Research Fellow | (212) 479-3344 | [email protected]
Andrew Bauld is a writer specializing on issues in K-12 and higher education. His stories have appeared in Harvard's Ed. Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, the School Library Journal, XQ Institute, and The Grade. He has also produced podcasts for the University of Chicago. He holds a master's from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Before becoming a writer, Andrew was a 5th and 6th grade teacher and ran a maritime education program on the island of Nantucket. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife, daughter, and a cat-by-marriage.
Shayan Lotfi | Visiting Research Fellow | (212) 479-3344 | [email protected]
Shayan Lotfi specializes in equitable economic development, arts and cultural policy, and land use and infrastructure economics.
As a consultant - including as Head of Economics at Buro Happold and in previous roles at WSP and AECOM - he has led a wide range of New York City-based projects, including: creative industry studies of the Film & TV, Theater, and Digital Games sectors; industry and workforce action plans for the Green Economy and Life Sciences; economic analyses supporting the Gateway Program, Second Avenue Subway extension, and Living Breakwaters coastal resilience project; an industrial land use strategy for North Brooklyn; and an assessment of the city’s commercial waste system.
Prior to New York, he was based in San Francisco, Hong Kong, London, and Vancouver.
In addition to his economic policy advisory work, he is also a playwright and screenwriter.
Judy Messina | Visiting Research Fellow | (212) 479-3344 | [email protected]
Judith (Judy) Messina is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Center for an Urban Future. Judith is an award-winning journalist with extensive experience covering business, technology, healthcare, higher education, and real estate. She launched Crain's technology coverage at the beginning of the first Internet boom and served as a senior reporter for more than a decade.
Judith's work has appeared in Crain's New York Business, Advertising Age, Business Insurance, Investment News, Workforce, The Real Deal, CNBC.com and various Health Monitor Network magazines. Judith has authored several studies for the Center, including Breaking Through (2016), a groundbreaking report on women entrepreneurs. She earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Graduate School of Business and an MS with honors from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Communications and Development Intern: Fall 2026
Ella Abarquez
Policy Research Interns: Fall 2026
Duncan Frazer
Danielle Jenkins
Sarah Martelly
Whitney Miller
Gifford Miller, Signature Urban Properties (Chairman)
Jonathan Bowles, Center for an Urban Future
Rafael E. Cestero, The Community Preservation Corporation
Russell Dubner, Boston Consulting Group
Garnesha Ezediaro, Bloomberg Philanthropies
Susan Fine, Fine Development Partners
Kyle Kimball, Cornell University
Katy Knight, Siegel Family Endowment
Jessie Lazarus, MTA
David Lebenstein, Cushman & Wakefield
Eric S. Lee, Skylight
Joshua Moskowitz, American Express
Monisha Nariani, IBM
Max Neukirchen, JPMorganChase
Andrew Reicher, Consultant
Peter Schubert, TerraCRG
John Siegal, Baker & Hostetler LLP
Thomas Vecchione, Vocon
Sherry Wang, The Vistria Group
Kate Wittels, HR&A Advisors
Managing Editor
About CUF
The Center for an Urban Future (CUF), a leading think tank focused on creating a stronger and more equitable economy in New York City, seeks a Managing Editor with exceptional editing and writing skills to help develop CUF's high-impact policy reports and other publications.
CUF sparks policy change in New York by publishing fact-based research that raises awareness of important, often overlooked issues and advances practical solutions to expand economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. A hallmark of our work is making in-depth, complex policy research clear and accessible to a wide audience—including policymakers, journalists, nonprofit leaders, practitioners, and other New Yorkers who can put good ideas into action.
We are looking first and foremost for a talented editor: someone who loves working with writers and knows how to turn complicated research and promising drafts into clear, compelling publications. But excellent writing is also a vital part of the job. The Managing Editor will regularly draft original material, including sections of reports and policy briefs, report introductions, funder reports and updates, proposals, op-eds, and other materials.
Responsibilities
The Managing Editor will work in close partnership with and report to the Editorial & Policy Director, who will remain deeply involved in editing and managing CUF’s research. The two will divide responsibility for projects across CUF’s portfolio, with the Managing Editor taking the lead on some and collaborating closely with the Editorial & Policy Director on others. The Managing Editor will also work directly with the Executive Director on selected projects.
This is not primarily a copy-editing role. The Managing Editor will provide substantive and developmental editing throughout the research and writing process and will often need to get deeply into the text: reorganizing sections, rewriting passages, sharpening arguments, and finding better ways to deploy data, interviews, and other evidence.
The Managing Editor will also help supervise members of CUF’s research team, coaching staff to become stronger writers and researchers while keeping multiple projects moving toward publication.
More specifically, the Managing Editor will:
- Lead the editing and project management of a portfolio of CUF research projects while collaborating closely with the Editorial & Policy Director on others.
- Edit CUF publications across a range of formats, including long-form policy reports, policy and data briefs, commentaries and op-eds, newsletters, proposals, funder communications, and other written products. This will include substantive and developmental editing, rewriting, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading.
- Write and help develop original content across CUF’s work, from report sections and introductions to policy briefs, proposals, funder reports and updates, op-eds, speeches, and other organizational writing.
- Consult closely with the Editorial & Policy Director on editorial direction and feedback to researchers, translate that direction into clear and actionable guidance, and work with researchers to ensure agreed-upon revisions are carried through.
- Work with the Executive Director and Editorial & Policy Director to draft and develop selected reports, proposals, op-eds, funder communications, and other written materials.
- Supervise and mentor members of the research team, helping staff strengthen their writing, research, and project-management skills.
- Help shape projects from the outset, including framing research questions, identifying sources and interviewees, developing methodology, and determining the strongest findings, stories, and recommendations.
- Establish clear deadlines and manage research, writing, revision, and production schedules.
- Conduct final quality assurance on written products for factual accuracy, clarity, structure, consistency, and adherence to CUF’s style.
Qualifications
We are looking for candidates with exceptional editing and writing skills, strong editorial judgment, a keen sense of what makes research informative and newsworthy, and an ability to help other writers do their best work.
Candidates should have meaningful professional editing experience, including substantive or developmental editing of long-form content. We are much more interested in the depth and quality of that experience than in a specific number of years. Strong candidates might come from journalism, publishing, policy research, government, communications, consulting, or the nonprofit sector.
The strongest candidates will:
- Have demonstrated experience substantially improving complex drafts—not simply proofreading or polishing finished work.
- Be excellent writers themselves and comfortable drafting original material and rewriting when a piece needs more than editorial comments.
- Know how to make complicated ideas accessible without oversimplifying them.
- Be able to move easily between big-picture questions of argument and structure and close, sentence-level editing.
- Have strong organizational skills and be able to work effectively across multiple projects and short deadlines.
- Be thoughtful and direct in providing feedback and enthusiastic about helping researchers grow as writers and thinkers.
- Bring intellectual curiosity, good judgment, and a genuine interest in the issues shaping New York City's future.
Experience managing or mentoring writers or researchers is strongly preferred. Policy expertise is helpful, but what we really need is someone who relishes delving into unfamiliar topics and has a knack for strengthening a piece even without deep subject-matter expertise.
We welcome applications both from experienced editors and from rising editors who have demonstrated exceptional ability and are ready to take on more responsibility.
Compensation
This is a full-time position based in New York City, with staff working in person at our downtown Manhattan office three days per week and remotely two days per week. The salary range is $100,000–$125,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The Center for an Urban Future deeply values the contributions of our dedicated staff. In addition to competitive pay, CUF offers comprehensive healthcare benefits with no out-of-pocket costs to employees; generous paid annual, parental, and sick leave; annual contributions to each employee's 401(k) retirement plan; and opportunities for professional development and advancement.
How to Apply
Send a resume, cover letter, and at least one editorial work sample to [email protected]. Please include "Managing Editor" in the subject line. Where possible, the work sample should reflect a piece you substantially edited or rewrote; include a brief description of your role in shaping it. No phone calls, please.
An independent, nonpartisan policy organization, the Center is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or other factors protected by law.
The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is a nonpartisan policy research organization committed to independent research that meets a high standard of integrity. CUF’s reports are grounded in data, evidence, and rigorous qualitative research, and CUF staff alone has final say over all aspects of our research products. CUF’s ability to fulfil its mission and generate policy change is a direct reflection of its earned reputation for independence. To safeguard this reputation, CUF leadership and staff commit to a research process free of ideological bias or predetermined notions of outcome. CUF regularly engages with stakeholders across government, philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector in the course of conducting research; however, CUF’s conclusions and recommendations are those of the organization alone.
CUF maintains a conflict-of-interest policy that guides all project funding decisions, including the following provisions: CUF only accepts grant funding for projects that align with the organization’s mission, strategic plan, and research agenda; CUF will not accept grant support where the funder stands to gain financially or materially from the outcomes of the research; CUF does not accept funding from government; and CUF makes public the funding sources for all its research projects and initiatives. CUF is strictly nonpartisan and does not endorse elected officials or candidates. In addition, CUF staff may not engage in lobbying, partisan political activity, or any other activities if and to the extent those activities could undermine the organization’s independence and objectivity.
We hire interns for three cohorts: Spring (January to May), Summer (May to August), and Fall (August to December). We accept applications on a rolling basis, so in the subject line of your email please indicate the cohort(s) and internship for which you would be interested in applying.
Policy Research Internship
The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is a public policy research think tank that is focused on creating a stronger and more equitable economy in NYC. Our research methods combine journalism with traditional policy analysis to publish accessible, fact-based reports. We elevate critical and often overlooked issues onto the radar of public officials and spur policy changes to expand economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. For more, check out this Crain's New York Business profile about the organization: "The think tank quietly influencing New York’s top officials."
Over the years, CUF has put forth concrete ideas for city and state policymakers that have influenced policies on helping New York’s college students achieve college and career success, supporting immigrant entrepreneurs, preparing for the green economy, bolstering public libraries, expanding apprenticeships and tech training programs, scaling up small businesses, strengthening human services organizations, sustaining artists, closing racial disparities in the city’s economy, improving services for older New Yorkers, and more.
In the months ahead, CUF will step up our research outlining innovative and achievable ideas for retaining young families, supporting the arts and the broader creative sector, scaling up workforce development programs, expanding equitable access to green spaces and natural areas, accelerating computing education across the state, and preparing NYers for jobs in the green economy.
The Center seeks Policy Research Interns with experience or degrees in public policy, journalism, urban planning, economics, government, social science, or related fields. During this internship, interns will contribute to and learn about the research and editorial processes of a think tank and how research can help guide, inspire, and spark policy change.
CUF interns have gone on to work in city council and the mayor’s office, news publications, urban planning firms, non-profit organizations, research institutions, and philanthropy groups. Examples include: National League of Cities, Mayor’s Office of the Chief Climate Officer, The Atlantic, NYS Office of the Inspector General, Bloomberg News, NYC Office of Management and Budget, The World Bank, and The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute.
We encourage people with a passion for building a stronger city to apply. Applicants should have some of the following experience and skills.
Responsibilities include:
- Conducting background research to guide new and existing projects.
- Writing policy memos and drafting report text.
- Conducting phone/video interviews, and submitting memos based on findings and key themes.
- Pulling, cleaning, and analyzing data from sources such as the US Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and American Community Survey.
- Contributing to the report production process by proof-reading, fact-checking, and editing.
- Developing source lists for research outreach.
- Keeping up to date on local city and state policy, including attending hearings and presentations.
Skills and attributes we seek are:
- Strong writing skills.
- Strong oral communications skills.
- Ability to synthesize ideas clearly and concisely.
- Ability to conduct effective interviews over the phone and in person.
- High level of competency in Microsoft Office, with proficiency in Excel.
- PLUS: Experience with public data sources like the US Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Attention to detail.
- Time management and multi-tasking. This role will require managing several tasks, prioritizing them based on a variety of timelines, and pivoting to different tasks as deadlines are modified.
- Willingness to learn. They must be willing to learn new skills, approaches, and tactics, and be open to working on a variety of assignments.
- Goal-oriented perspective. They must be able to grasp the broader organizational goals and think strategically about how to accomplish them through individual assignments.
- An interest in economic development, journalism, urban planning, workforce development, and higher education issues.
Requirements:
- Must be able to commit to working 20 hours a week, within the operating hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.
- Must be able to come into the office at least twice a week during open office hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Days in office should be for a minimum of 4-5 hours. CUF staff and interns have weekly meetings on Thursdays at 1pm.
- Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
This is an hourly paid internship at $18/hour. In order to apply, please complete this Google Form and send a resume, cover letter, and your internship availability (according to the requirements above) to [email protected]. Please write "Policy Research Internship (cohort)" in the subject line. We are currently hiring for our Fall (September - December) cohort. Applications will close on August 14—early applications are encouraged.
No phone calls, please. Due to the high volume of interest, we’re unable to accommodate informational interviews.
We maintain a friendly and open working environment and encourage people of all backgrounds: age, race, ethnicity, gender, creed, and sexual orientation to apply.
Communications and Development Internship
The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is a public policy research think tank that is focused on creating a stronger and more equitable economy in NYC. Our research methods combine journalism with traditional policy analysis to publish accessible, fact-based reports. We elevate critical and often overlooked issues onto the radar of public officials and spur policy changes to expand economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. For more, check out this Crain's New York Business profile about the organization: "The think tank quietly influencing New York’s top officials."
Over the years, CUF has put forth concrete ideas for city and state policymakers that have influenced policies on helping New York’s college students achieve college and career success, supporting immigrant entrepreneurs, preparing for the green economy, bolstering public libraries, expanding apprenticeships and tech training programs, scaling up small businesses, strengthening human services organizations, sustaining artists, closing racial disparities in the city’s economy, improving services for older New Yorkers, and more.
The Center seeks a Communications and Development Intern with experience in communications, event-planning, media, and/or development to support our work. During this internship, development and communications interns will learn about the processes of how a think tank conveys complex policy research through a streamlined communication strategy.
Responsibilities can include:
- Helping produce high-profile events from conception to execution, including researching vendors, creating event materials, and ensuring smooth day-of logistics
- Conducting prospect research for development opportunities
- Assisting with the development of social media campaigns and drafting content for platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter
- Drafting impacts and email blasts
- Maintaining CUF’s databases and tracking subscriber engagement
- Tracking email metrics, social media analytics, and CUF’s presence in policy discourse
- Engaging in CUF’s media processes, including explainer videos
Skills and attributes we seek are:
- Attention to detail. They must be detail-oriented. Exactitude and precision must be shown when working with CUF materials.
- Time management and multi-tasking. This role will require managing several tasks, prioritizing them based on a variety of timelines, and pivoting to different tasks as deadlines are modified.
- Willingness to learn. They must be willing to learn new skills, approaches, and tactics, and openness to working on a variety of assignments.
- Goal-oriented perspective. The intern must be able to grasp the broader organizational goals and think strategically about how to accomplish them through individual assignments.
Requirements:
- Must be able to commit to working at least 20 hours a week, within the operating hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm.
- Must be able to come into the office at least twice a week during open office hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Days in office should be for a minimum of 4-5 hours. CUF staff and interns have weekly meetings on Thursdays at 1pm.
- Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
This is an hourly paid internship at $18/hour. In order to apply, please complete this Google Form and send a resume, cover letter, and your internship availability (according to the requirements above) to [email protected]. Please write "Communications and Development Internship (cohort)" in the subject line. We are not hiring for the Fall 2026. Please consider submitting an application for the Spring (February - May) cohort. The hiring process for the spring will begin in early January 2027.
No phone calls, please. Due to the high volume of interest, we’re unable to accommodate informational interviews.
We maintain a friendly and open working environment and encourage people of all backgrounds: age, race, ethnicity, gender, creed, and sexual orientation to apply.
