Wagner Community Members Amy Lee and Enzo Manzano Recognized as Asian Trailblazers in New York

Two NYU Wagner community members, Amy Lee (MPA-HPAM 2013) and Enzo Manzano (MPA 2025), were named to City & State’s inaugural Asian Trailblazers list. Released during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the list honors over 50 leaders driving progress and representation across New York’s diverse Asian American communities.

Amy Lee (MPA-HPAM 2013), director of Medicaid and integrated products at Elderplan

Lee has dedicated her career to expanding health care access for vulnerable populations. Growing up in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Lee experienced firsthand the complexities of navigating the city’s public health systems. After contributing to the early implementation of the Affordable Care Act, she helped build the New York State of Health marketplace, which has since connected over 6.7 million residents to essential health coverage. Today, she leads initiatives that ensure more than 30,000 Elderplan members have access to comprehensive, integrated care.

Enzo Manzano (MPA 2025), director of nonprofits at Kasirer

Manzano has long been a powerful voice in New York’s political and nonprofit spheres. From organizing in the Bronx to guiding strategic nonprofit advocacy, Manzano champions equity and civic engagement. As president of the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York, and previously the East Coast regional director for Filipino Americans for Harris, he has mobilized voters and strengthened community ties, shaping the political landscape in meaningful ways.