https://www.weforum.org/events/the-davos-agenda-2021/sessions/resetting-...
COVID-19 has transformed homes into classrooms and offices while changing the face and pace of cities and urban centres.
What policies, plans and partnerships are needed to ensure cities thrive in this new urban future?
This session is associated with the World Economic Forum’s Future of Cities Initiative.
The first part of this session is open to the public online; the second is only accessible via TopLink.
Penny Abeywardena
Since September 2014, New York City's Commissioner for International Affairs; leads the global platform for promoting goals for a more just and accessible society, showcasing the diversity of New Yorkers and sharing policies and best practices with cities and states worldwide. Has launched initiatives focused on connecting New Yorkers and City agencies to the diplomatic community, as well as more effectively serving NYC's diplomatic corps, which is the largest in the world. Former Director of Girls and Women Integration, Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). Member: Board of Directors, United Nations Development Corporation and Eastside Greenway and Park; International Advisory Council, International Peace Institute (IPI); Global Future Council on Cities and Urbanization, World Economic Forum; United Nation’s SDG Strategy and Action Hub; 92Y’s Innovation Advisory Committee; Advisory Board, The Helm. 2017, named by the French American Foundation as a Young Leader. World Economic Forum 2016 Young Global Leader. Term Member, Council on Foreign Relations. Founding Member, Lincoln Center’s Global Exchange. Previously served on the World Bank's Advisory Council on Gender and Development and the Board of Directors of Sakhi for South Asian Women. Graduate, University of Southern California; Master’s in International Affairs, Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
Jonathan T. M. Reckford
Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity International, a global Christian housing organization that has helped more than 10 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve their homes. Since 2005, Habitat’s 1,300 US affiliates and over 70 country programmes have grown from serving 125,000 individuals each year to helping more than 3 million people annually build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Spent much of early career in the for-profit sector, including in executive and managerial positions at Goldman Sachs, Marriott, The Walt Disney Co., and Best Buy. Named Most Influential Non-Profit Leader in America, Nonprofit Times (2017). Member, Urban Steering Committee, World Economic Forum.
Coen van Oostrom
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EDGE, one of Europe’s largest commercial property developers and a global leader in tech-enabled sustainable building design for ambitious customers worldwide. Since founding the firm in 1997, has led the growth of EDGE (formerly OVG Real Estate) to its current scope with more than a million square meters of development across the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany and United States. Recently introduced EDGE Next: a sensor and data-driven platform that can optimize any office building’s performance, making it smarter, healthier, and more sustainable.
Sridhar Gadhi
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quantela, a new-age digital technology company focused on automating and optimizing the urban infrastructure operations and a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer 2019. Responsible for the strategic vision, customer acquisitions, strategic partnerships, investments and corporate affairs. Built Quantela from inception to a leadership position with 85 implementations globally in the span of 4.5 years. Has built clientele and strategic partnerships with many Fortune 500 companies. Innovator; incubated and invested in multiple start-ups, including PiData, cFog, Zebi, in digital, data centres, Blockchain, internet of things and managed services spaces. Member of the board of directors and advisors of several technology companies. Member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Harvard Business School graduate. Has been quoted in a number of business magazines. Recipient: Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the year award (2008); Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 award, TANA.
Jan Vapaavuori
Extensive career in Finnish national politics. Since June 2017, Mayor of Helsinki. Set forth a city strategy championing Helsinki as the “most functional city in the world” with a special focus on sustainable growth, digitalization, global problem solving, creativity and the best possible conditions for happy everyday city life. The strategy also defined Helsinki as a testbed for start-ups and smart city development projects resulting in an increased global relevance for the city. 2012-15, Minister of Economic Affairs; 2007-11, Minister of Housing. Since 2015, Vice President of the European Investment Bank. As Minister of Economic Affairs, negotiated the Meyer Turku shipyard sale that played a key role in renewing the Finnish maritime industry. As Minister of Housing, created a program to decrease long-term homelessness by 50%. 2003-15, Member of Parliament, serving as chair of the party's parliamentary group. Long-term Member of the Helsinki City Council and Chairman of the City Board. LLM, University of Helsinki. Honorary Doctorate, Hanken School of Economics. Member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council.
Jeff Merritt
BA, University of Michigan; MA, Columbia University. Formerly: New York City’s first-ever Director of Innovation; helped organize the first entirely online public election in US history, laid the groundwork for the world’s largest, fastest municipal Wi-Fi network and led the creation and adoption of new guidelines and tools to promote the responsible and equitable expansion of the Internet of Things.
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