William Fowler

Rose Hayes once said, “Effective government can do more good and talented people can make all the difference.” Her father, Frederick O’Reilly Hayes, understood that deeply. In the 1960s, he challenged the status quo and reimagined what public service could look like for working New Yorkers. That legacy lives on through the Hayes Innovation Prize, which recognizes city workers who refuse to accept that things must remain as they are. It was a privilege to welcome this year’s recipients to Gracie Mansion and celebrate their work. From saving lives with vending machine fentanyl strips to making our commercial districts more accessible through digital mapping, these honorees are showing us what it means to govern with urgency, creativity, and care. They are a reminder of why I ran for office: to serve people. To Claire Boyd, Elan Carmel, Mike Kutzma , Roxanne Anderson, Pavel Ilin, Shawn Inshan, Mallory Rutigliano, Joel Owhe, Caleb Wendling, Julia Klauss, Kym Williams, Matthew Yarri: thank you for the work you do every day. New York City is lucky to have you.