Patricia Harris

For other people named Patricia Harris, see Patricia Harris (disambiguation).
Patricia Harris
Patricia Harris in 2007
First Deputy Mayor of New York City
In office
January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013
Personal details
Born September 1, 1956
Nationality American
Alma mater Franklin & Marshall College
Occupation Chief Executive Officer, Bloomberg Philanthropies

Patricia Harris (born September 1, 1956) was the First Deputy Mayor for the City of New York from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2013. She advised the Mayor of New York City, then Michael Bloomberg, on administrative, operational, and policy matters. Harris currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Mr. Bloomberg’s philanthropic foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies.[1] In this role, Harris oversees Mr. Bloomberg’s charitable giving, which he valued as a key component of his legacy. Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire, has pledged to give away all of his wealth.[2] As of 2014, she is listed as the 80th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.[3]

Early Life and Education

Born in 1956 and raised in New York City, Harris became interested in public service in high school, when she volunteered in then Congressman Ed Koch’s office.[4]

In 1977, Harris graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. Franklin and Marshall’s Harris Center for Business, Government, and Public Policy was donated in her name in 2009, and she has served on the college’s Board of Trustees since 2006.[5]

Career

In 1977, Harris began her public service career as an assistant to Congressman Koch. Upon Koch’s election as Mayor, she became an Assistant to the Deputy Mayor in 1979, and subsequently was appointed Assistant to the Mayor for Federal Affairs. From 1983 to 1990, she served as Executive Director of the City’s Art Commission.[1]

Following her work with the Koch Administration, Harris served as Vice President for Public Relations at Serino Coyne Advertising before joining Bloomberg LP in 1994, where she managed Bloomberg LP’s Philanthropy, Public Relations, and Governmental Affairs divisions.[1] Patti Harris is generally credited with introducing founder Michael Bloomberg to the worlds of art and philanthropy.[6]

Harris joined Mr. Bloomberg’s administration when he was elected mayor in 2001, serving first as Deputy Mayor for Administration until 2005, when she was appointed First Deputy Mayor. Harris was the first woman in New York City’s history to serve in this role. Harris is known as a key trusted adviser to Mr. Bloomberg and she weighs in on every major policy or personnel decision.[4]

Crain’s Business New York named Patti Harris the fourth most powerful woman in New York City in 2013[7] and, according to a New York Times profile, she was the most powerful person in the Bloomberg administration.[4]

Harris currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Bloomberg Philanthropies. Harris oversaw Mr. Bloomberg’s philanthropic giving, which he valued as a key component of his legacy. Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire, has pledged to give away all of his wealth.[2] As of 2014, she is listed as the 80th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.[3]

Personal life

Harris is married to attorney Mark Lebow, a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "City of New York Biography: Patricia Harris". Retrieved February 14, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Giving Pledge - Michael Bloomberg". Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women". Forbes. Forbes. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Bloomberg's New Deputy Has a Velvet Fist". December 6, 2005. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  5. ↑ "New Center Named for Patti Harris". April 28, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Meet the 15 Most Powerful Women in U.S. Philanthropy". March 5, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  7. ↑ "50 Most Powerful Women in New York 2013: No. 4 Patricia Harris". Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  8. ↑ "PATRICIA E. HARRIS IS WED TO LAWYER". January 31, 1988. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Mark D. Lebow". Retrieved April 6, 2014.

External links