Distinguished Visiting Urbanist Michael Blake in Conversation with the Honorable Shaun Donovan

NYU Wagner Distinguished Visiting Urbanist Michael Blake will speak with Former O.M.B. Director and Former HUD Secretary, Shaun Donovan who will discuss urban policymaking.

About the Speaker

Shaun Donovan has committed his life to public service focused on building opportunity.

Until January 2017, Donovan served as the Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget under President Obama. At OMB, Donovan increased investment in key domestic and national security priorities that grew the economy, protected our country and increased opportunity. And he oversaw regulations that increased innovation, protected health, improved education and fought climate change.

From January 2009 to July 2014, Donovan served as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he helped families buy homes, aided households fighting foreclosure, revitalized distressed communities and combatted homelessness. Donovan also served as Chair of the President’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, leaving a stronger, more resilient region than before the storm hit.

Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Donovan served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. He also served in the Clinton administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing at HUD and as acting FHA Commissioner during the Clinton/Bush presidential transition.

Donovan holds a B.A. and Master's degrees in Public Administration and Architecture from Harvard University.