Mary Beth Williams, Vice President, Equity & Community Impact

How did your previous roles lead you to NYCEDC?

I've always worked at the intersection of economic development and workforce development. I started my career at a tech company where I managed a portfolio of social impact partnerships and education programs. I then spent six years in urban development consulting working on equitable development strategies, neighborhood revitalization plans, and transformative public realm projects. Most recently, before joining NYCEDC, I helped launch a NYC-based real estate startup. Throughout my previous experience, I crossed paths with NYCEDC frequently and I was consistently awed by how they seemed to be involved in every single project shaping the trajectory of this magical city. I wanted in, so I kept an eye out for the right opportunity. When the chance arose to help build NYCEDC's first workforce development team, I seized it eagerly, excited to apply the full range of my skills.

What skills are essential for your current role?

I lead NYCEDC's Economic Mobility team and our primary focus is ensuring NYCEDC's priority projects are paired with strategic, parallel investments in workforce development. In my role, creative problem solving and a deep commitment to collaboration are absolutely essential. As a new team, much of our work doesn’t come with a playbook—we rely on curiosity, data-driven decision-making, and the tenacity to test new approaches to uncover solutions. Collaboration is also core to everything we do, whether that’s seamlessly embedding ourselves within the processes of other NYCEDC teams or actively engaging communities to seek out diverse perspectives and build authentic partnerships. More than any specific technical skillset or knowledge base, it's this combination of creativity, persistence, and partnership that allows us to move complex, meaningful work forward.

What's the most rewarding part of your job? And the most challenging?

The most rewarding part of my job is having the opportunity to directly influence decisions that create a lasting impact on the communities we serve and the neighborhoods where we work. The most challenging part of my job is that it truly takes a village—of incredibly dedicated civil servants—to get anything done in a development environment as complex as New York City. The grit and determination required at all times can be exhausting, but I've gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for “how the sausage gets made.”

What advice would you give to someone just starting in your field?

Genuine curiosity about others can open surprising doors. You won't reach any brilliant conclusions about your purpose or your path in isolation or by relying solely on desktop research. Talk to people. Take an interest in their experiences. Forge relationships fearlessly. And being good at asking questions is often far more valuable than nailing your elevator pitch.

What is your favorite part about working at NYCEDC?

NYCEDC boasts an incredibly impressive bench of women in leadership. I've never encountered so many role models, each with their own unique leadership style that is distinctly different, yet equally respected. The opportunity to learn from such a diverse group of leaders is invaluable. It's just one of many benefits of this job that I am especially grateful for.

Do you have a favorite quote or motto that keeps you motivated?

The thought that gets me out of bed every day is always, “You're burning daylight!” (John Wayne).