NYCHA’s Jordan Bonomo Wins Hayes Innovation Prize

On the evening of April 1, NYCHA’s Jordan Bonomo was one of 22 City employees recognized with the 2025 NYC Hayes Innovation Prize for efforts to transform government operations and improve life for New Yorkers. The awards ceremony, presided over by Mayor Eric Adams, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matthew Fraser, and Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize Foundation President Jonathan Weiner, celebrated projects from 13 City entities showcasing successful use of technology to create a safer, more sustainable, more affordable New York. Mr. Bonomo was honored for his leadership on NYCHA’s Clean Heat for All initiative, which developed a cold-climate heat pump to decarbonize public housing, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent while improving resident comfort.

The honorees were selected from 90 nominations across 32 agencies, and each received a $1,000 prize funded by the Hayes Foundation. The NYC Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) and the Hayes Prize Foundation co-sponsored the event.

“New York City thrives because of our incredible men and women who innovate every day, and this year’s Hayes Prize winners prove no challenge is too big for our public servants,” said Mayor Adams. “As the ‘tech mayor,’ I know how technology helps make our city safer, more affordable, and a better place to raise a family.”

“New York City’s public servants achieve remarkable breakthroughs every day to better the lives of New Yorkers,” said CTO Matthew Fraser. “The Hayes Prize spotlights the people transforming our government and city through skill, ingenuity, leadership, and dedication.”

“This is the 20th year we’ve awarded Fred Hayes Prizes to young, talented City employees,” said Jonathan Weiner, the Foundation’s president. “This year’s awardees, in partnership with OTI, have earned our recognition for their outstanding achievements.”

The Hayes Innovation Prize, launched in March 2023, honors City employees for cutting-edge work benefiting New Yorkers. The 2025 winners were selected in two categories – Innovation and IT Leadership – by a panel of past recipients and former CTO awardees.

The Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize Foundation is supported by donations from former City employees and officials who worked with Frederick O’Reilly Hayes, a visionary budget director in the 1960s who emphasized innovation, analysis, and public service excellence.

For more information about the Hayes Prize Foundation and the Hayes Innovation Prize, visit https://hayesprize.innovation.nyc.