Initiatives & Special Projects

What we do: Advance leadership theory, support effective new practices, and serve as a resource for leaders in all sectors.

Our scope: International

Who we are: NYU Wagner scholars and researchers.

Faculty lead: Erica Gabrielle Foldy

What we do: Find innovative entrepreneurial and financial solutions to address pressing social issues.

Our scope: International

Who we are: A consortium of policymakers, philanthropists, finance professionals, researchers, nonprofits, and foundations led by a team of NYU Wagner faculty and graduate students.

Faculty lead: Andrea Armeni

The NYU Wagner Labor Initiative explores, advocates for, and accelerates the often-untapped potential of government in safeguarding and advancing workers' rights. The Labor Initiative helps government work for workers, by serving as a hub of analysis, research, and implementation guidance, as well as idea generation and dissemination, related to the role of government in advancing and protecting workers’ rights. 

What we do: Offers two funded fellowships: LEAD Fellowships and Parke Fellowships to connect NYU students with non-partisan organizations working to strengthen our democracy. 

Our scope: National

Who we are: Activists promoting democracy, voter engagement, and civil discourse

Leads: Erica Foldy and John Gershman

What we do: convene non-partisan experts across a range of areas to hold an ongoing conversation about issues that must be addressed for the city to become a stronger and more equitable city than it was before COVID-19. 

Our scope: NYC-focused

Who we are: New York City experts from government, nonprofits, and academia.

Leads: Thad Calabrese and Martha Stark

What we do: Address racial inequality in New York City through symposia, events, community conversations, and a published anthology.

Our scope: NYC-focused

Who we are: Specialists from diverse disciplines and practices.