Goddard Thought Leaders Shape the Conversation

As the politicians we elected in November get ready to take office, they’re appointing transition teams to provide insight on the issues. Being on a transition team means having the chance to shape an elected leader’s philosophy and future policies. So we’re proud to say that Director of Advocacy and Organizing Larry Wood has been named to incoming Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine’s transition team. 

Wood is a highly respected housing advocate who is regularly tapped for his expertise by lawmakers, government employees and journalists alike. In addition to his work at Goddard, he serves as the president of the board of Housing Court Answers, a nonprofit that helps people navigate Housing Court and advocates for its reform. 

In addition, three past and present #DegreesNYC Youth Council leaders are on incoming Mayor Eric Adams’ transition team: Darleny Suriel, Ismail Hasaballa and Jonathan Lam. In fact, they are three of the four youth co-chairs on the team! 

Suriel is a Youth Council Co-Coordinator and a senior at City College. Lam, is the Youth Council Policy and Research Lead, and a junior at Cardoza High School. Hasaballa is a former Youth Lead and Federal Policy Fellow, and a senior at Hunter College. 

#DegreesNYC is the collective impact movement for equity in education co-founded and supported by Goddard. It is co-led by its Youth Council.  

The director of #DegreesNYC, Judith Lorimer, has been invited to be part of two influential citywide panels. The Education Equity Cabinet is a three-year multi-sector leadership community convened by United Way of New York City to advance racial equity in education in New York City, and the NYC DOE Education Ecosystem Convening Series aims to understand the evolving needs of NYC’s educators, students, and families.  

Lorimer is a national leader in the areas of college equity, access and success. She has spoken at high-profile conferences including the White House Convening on School Counseling and College Advising and the National Partnership for Educational Access, and has published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.