NYU Wagner Welcomes Distinguished Visiting Urbanist Iris Weinshall
On January 23, 2025, NYU Wagner welcomed its 2024–25 Distinguished Visiting Urbanist Iris Weinshall with a reception in the Faculty Seminar Room, with Wagner Dean Sherry Glied, NYU Provost Georgina Dopico, Wagner faculty, and esteemed present and former colleagues of Weinshall’s gathering to celebrate.
Weinshall, a Wagner graduate, brings a wealth of experience in her return to her alma mater, having held leadership roles in government, academia, and nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer of the New York Public Library, where she oversees the institution’s $1.8 billion endowment, its expense and capital budgets, and major construction projects across three boroughs. Her responsibilities also extend to the library’s operational departments, including Finance, IT, Human Resources, Capital Planning and Construction, Facilities Operations, and Government Relations.
Before joining the New York Public Library, Weinshall served as Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Management, and Construction at the City University of New York. In this role, she managed the university’s extensive multi-year capital construction program across 24 campuses citywide. From 2000 to 2007, Weinshall was Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, where she led daily operations and managed substantial capital and expense budgets, each exceeding $100 million.
Her public service career also includes roles as First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services and Deputy Commissioner of Management and Budget for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
Weinshall graduated cum laude from Brooklyn College and holds a Master of Public Administration from NYU Wagner. She currently serves as Chair of the Prospect Park Alliance and sits on the boards of the Bryant Park Corporation, Ford’s Theatre, and the Library of Congress.
During her residency, Weinshall will teach a semester-long course for Wagner students, sharing insights from her extensive career in public service and urban management, enriching students’ learning experience, and providing invaluable industry connections.