Two Wagner Alumni Named 2025 Trailblazers in Economic Development

New York is an international economic leader, and ensuring the state continues to attract growing industries and create jobs is a top policy priority. City & State’s 2025 Trailblazers in Economic Development power list recognizes the leaders helping fuel New York’s economic growth. Two Wagner alumni were among this year’s trailblazers.

Jennifer Jones Austin (MS 1997), CEO & Executive Director, FPWA 

Jennifer Jones Austin is passionate about addressing the root causes of poverty and fighting to ensure low-income New Yorkers’ needs are represented in policymaking. As CEO and executive director of the nonprofit FPWA, she advocates for raising the minimum wage and higher pay for human services workers. 

Degan Mercado Leopold (MPA-PNP 2009), Chief Partnerships Officer, New York Jobs CEO Council 

Degan Mercado Leopold is a leader in workforce development, serving on the New York City Workforce Development Board and Green City Force board. She formerly served in the Bloomberg administration before taking on her role at New York Jobs CEO Council, an organization created by top New York executives that aims to bring an employers’ voice to workforce development. Leopold manages the Council’s cross-sector partnerships with CUNY and others, helping coordinate over 50,000 job placements.