NYU Wagner Alumni Named to PoliticsNY 2025 Black Power Players List

NYU Wagner alumni Errol Pierre (MPA-HPAM 2013) and Marjorie Parker (MPA 2008) have been recognized on the PoliticsNY 2025 Black Power Players list, an annual feature celebrating Black leaders who are making a lasting impact across New York City and the state.

Errol Pierre (MPA-HPAM 2013), senior vice president, state programs, Healthfirst

As the Senior Vice President of State Programs at Healthfirst, Errol Pierre leads product strategy, sales, and community engagement initiatives to improve healthcare access. He is also an adjunct professor at NYU, Columbia University, and Baruch College, sharing his expertise with future leaders. Pierre’s book, The Way Up: Climbing the Corporate Mountain as a Professional of Color, reflects his dedication to mentorship and professional development.

Pierre credits his father, Stuart Pierre, an immigrant from Haiti, as his biggest inspiration, instilling in him the values of perseverance and humility. His proudest career achievements include ensuring over a million Healthfirst members successfully recertified their Medicaid coverage in 2024 and playing a pivotal role in raising COVID-19 vaccination rates above the NYC average in 2021. A strong advocate for Black-owned businesses and organizations, he actively supports The Apollo Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and several health and education initiatives.

Marjorie Parker (MPA 2008), president and CEO, JobsFirstNYC

Marjorie Parker, President and CEO of JobsFirstNYC, has spent over 25 years driving workforce development and economic mobility. Her leadership at organizations such as Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, the CUNY Research Foundation, and the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development has been instrumental in shaping career pathways for young professionals.

Parker draws inspiration from her family’s immigrant journey from Jamaica, emphasizing values of hard work and mutual support. In 2017, she became one of the few Black women leading a nonprofit in NYC, a milestone that fuels her mission to mentor future women leaders. She also highlights the success of Cornbread Farm to Soul, a Black woman-owned farm-to-table restaurant expanding its footprint in Brooklyn.