Center for an Urban Future 2026 Gala
Wednesday, October 21st | Tribeca Rooftop
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The digital journal and photos will be available soon.

The Center for an Urban Future's 2026 gala clebrated 30 years of CUF's dedication to building a stronger, fairer New York. For three decades, CUF's research has elevated overlooked issues and actionable ideas that otherwise float under the radar of policymakers, sparking policy changes and investments in everything from public libraries and CUNY to the arts, immigrant entrepreneurship, workforce development, and the city’s innovation economy.

We also celebrated three outstanding honorees:

SPIRIT OF NEW YORK AWARD
Presented to: Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater New York
Presented by: Leila Bozorg, NYC Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning
Sharon has been a driving force for creating stronger and healthier communities in New York for more than three decades. As president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, she has helped make the Y a vital part of the city’s social infrastructure, empowering young people, expanding opportunity, improving health, and boosting academic achievement. She has been a difference-maker for New York throughout her distinguished career, which has included leadership roles at the NYC Department of Education, School Construction Authority, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, NYU, the Downtown Alliance, and in City Hall.

URBAN VISIONARY AWARD
Presented to: Dan Garodnick, Former Director, NYC Department of City Planning
Presented by: Adrienne Adams, Former Speaker of the New York City Council
Dan is one of New York’s most innovative and effective champions for addressing the city’s affordability crisis and building a stronger, more resilient New York. While leading the Department of City Planning, he steered the most transformative effort in years to boost the supply of housing—City of Yes for Housing Opportunity—and oversaw groundbreaking initiatives that made it easier to operate small businesses, advance renewable energy projects, and build housing. As a Council Member, he played a pivotal role in the rezoning of East Midtown, which spurred economic growth while delivering vital improvements to subways and public spaces.

NEW YORK CHANGEMAKER AWARD
Presented to: Leslie Abbey, Hot Bread Kitchen
Presented by: Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Manhattan Borough President
Leslie has been a game-changer in expanding pathways to economic opportunity for thousands of New Yorkers. She is the CEO of Hot Bread Kitchen, one of New York’s most innovative workforce development organizations and a critical launchpad into quality culinary careers. Under her leadership, HBK has greatly expanded its pathway programs, helping hundreds of New Yorkers from low-income communities to become successful food entrepreneurs and enabling thousands more to build the skills needed to access careers in the food industry and advance into better-paying jobs.