Alexander Shermansong is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Public Service of NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He is also the CEO of Civic Consulting USA where he enables mayors to collaborate pro bono with companies and get results with lasting impact. The White House selected Civic Consulting to work with economically distressed cities nationally. For his work replicating the model from Chicago to New York, Silicon Valley and elsewhere, UBM Future Cities names Alexander one of the 100 City Innovators Worldwide.
For 20 years, Alexander has advised CEOs and boards on strategic issues, from Oxford University's finances (which garnered front-page coverage) to creation of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. He even developed "Stanley" the world's first museum guide for handheld computers. Thanks to this body of work, Bloomberg Civic 50 appointed him a Fortune 500 evaluator.
Alexander also volunteers on many civic issues. As chair of the governance committee, he's rejuvenating the board of Princeton Terrace Club. As finance committee co-chair of Seaview Association, he's increasing transparency and reducing costs. As treasurer for the Hypocrites, he helped the theater develop their national tours. As treasurer for Emmy-winning Free Spirit Media, he installed new controls and accountability. For Business Mentor New York, he coaches entrepreneurs on how to grow their businesses.
Alexander earned his M.Phil in Classical Philosophy from Cambridge University and his A.B. with Highest Honors (PBK) in Classics and Computer Science from Princeton University.
Couples with CAP-GP 3402. For MPA-PNP students.
As part of the core curriculum of the NYU Wagner Masters program, Capstone teams spend an academic year addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for a client organization. Wagner's Capstone program provides students with a centerpiece of their graduate experience whereby they are able to experience first-hand turning the theory of their studies into practice under the guidance of an experienced faculty member. Projects require students to get up-to-speed quickly on a specific content or issue area; enhance key process skills including project management and teamwork; and develop competency in gathering, analyzing, and reporting out on data. Capstone requires students to interweave their learning in all these areas, and to do so in real time, in an unpredictable, complex, real-world environment.
Affordable housing that's 40% less expensive to build. Three times as many soup kitchen clients served each hour. Hospital ER wait time cut by 90%. This is the type of impact social innovators aspire to achieve by applying the method called "Lean."
Since Toyota developed the Lean continuous improvement methodology, manufacturers globally adopted it, then finance and healthcare organizations, and now nonprofits, government agencies, and for-profit and hybrid social enterprises. What is Lean? How do you set up a Lean program? Which organizations have seen great results, and why? How does Lean relate to financial and social impact strategy and operations?
Students will understand the basic concepts and methods of Lean; gain familiarity with case studies from nonprofit, government, and social enterprise; and become ready to take an active role in a Lean project.
Couples with CAP-GP 3402. For MPA-PNP students.
As part of the core curriculum of the NYU Wagner Masters program, Capstone teams spend an academic year addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for a client organization. Wagner's Capstone program provides students with a centerpiece of their graduate experience whereby they are able to experience first-hand turning the theory of their studies into practice under the guidance of an experienced faculty member. Projects require students to get up-to-speed quickly on a specific content or issue area; enhance key process skills including project management and teamwork; and develop competency in gathering, analyzing, and reporting out on data. Capstone requires students to interweave their learning in all these areas, and to do so in real time, in an unpredictable, complex, real-world environment.
Affordable housing that's 40% less expensive to build. Three times as many soup kitchen clients served each hour. Hospital ER wait time cut by 90%. This is the type of impact social innovators aspire to achieve by applying the method called "Lean."
Since Toyota developed the Lean continuous improvement methodology, manufacturers globally adopted it, then finance and healthcare organizations, and now nonprofits, government agencies, and for-profit and hybrid social enterprises. What is Lean? How do you set up a Lean program? Which organizations have seen great results, and why? How does Lean relate to financial and social impact strategy and operations?
Students will understand the basic concepts and methods of Lean; gain familiarity with case studies from nonprofit, government, and social enterprise; and become ready to take an active role in a Lean project.
Couples with CAP-GP 3402. For MPA-PNP students.
As part of the core curriculum of the NYU Wagner Masters program, Capstone teams spend an academic year addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for a client organization. Wagner's Capstone program provides students with a centerpiece of their graduate experience whereby they are able to experience first-hand turning the theory of their studies into practice under the guidance of an experienced faculty member. Projects require students to get up-to-speed quickly on a specific content or issue area; enhance key process skills including project management and teamwork; and develop competency in gathering, analyzing, and reporting out on data. Capstone requires students to interweave their learning in all these areas, and to do so in real time, in an unpredictable, complex, real-world environment.
Affordable housing that's 40% less expensive to build. Three times as many soup kitchen clients served each hour. Hospital ER wait time cut by 90%. This is the type of impact social innovators aspire to achieve by applying the method called "Lean."
Since Toyota developed the Lean continuous improvement methodology, manufacturers globally adopted it, then finance and healthcare organizations, and now nonprofits, government agencies, and for-profit and hybrid social enterprises. What is Lean? How do you set up a Lean program? Which organizations have seen great results, and why? How does Lean relate to financial and social impact strategy and operations?
Students will understand the basic concepts and methods of Lean; gain familiarity with case studies from nonprofit, government, and social enterprise; and become ready to take an active role in a Lean project.
The Pink Tax is a form of gender-based price discrimination concerning the upcharge women pay for specific products or services. Although the term is most frequently referenced in regard to cosmetic and personal care products, it is also prevalent in transportation services. Women are three times as likely to be concerned for their safety on shared modes of transit, and as a result, choose longer, more costly, or less efficient transportation options. The physical and psychological impact of gender-based trauma can result in lifelong preferences for cars or taxis instead of transit or bikes. Moreover, 61% of caregivers are women; escorting children or the elderly further reduces travel options and adds costs.
This white paper is based on the conviction that innovations to increase personal safety and improve accessibility for caregivers will provide greater access to education and jobs, deliver health benefits from more active transportation, and support women’s confidence and well-being in trip planning—while greatly reducing carbon emissions.
This white paper—and the workshops described herein— is an initial step in building more equitable systems. It is intended to frame the issue for various stakeholders, lay the foundation for systemic change, and gather momentum by identifying high-impact near-term interventions.