City Management Academy Picks 2 NYCHA Leaders for 2024 Program
A New York City government initiative to equip leaders with management best practices has selected two NYCHA managers for separate cohorts this year.
The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) Management Academy is a rigorous three-month program intended to provide participants with strategies, skills, and acumen needed to meet the demands of managing in a City government environment. For over 20 years, mid-level managers and emerging leaders – some relatively new to City government – have entered the competitive academy for training in fundamental management principles and best practices.
NYCHA’s Deputy Director of Fleet Services, Joe D’Amato, was among the City employees selected to join the Management Academy’s first cohort for 2024, which begins this May. Glenn Friedman, a Senior Counsel in the Law Department, was tapped for a second cohort starting in September.
The course, offered both in person and virtually, is primarily focused on helping participants develop practical skills in managing people, improving their understanding of both formal and informal government processes, and exposing them to innovative management practices used within City agencies. Participants, who meet once per week for approximately 12 to 14 weeks, will also increase their knowledge of City services through site visits to various agencies.
“It’s exciting to be chosen for this exclusive leadership development program, where I am allowed to continue my transformative journey towards becoming an exemplary leader,” Mr. D’Amato said. “This recognition fuels my motivation to continuously strive for excellence and further solidifies my responsibility to learn, grow, and lead by example.”
The Fleet Services Deputy Director noted that through the academy experience, he hopes to refine his leadership skills to help further inspire change at NYCHA.
Mr. Friedman, who will begin his academy journey this fall, said he looks forward to “learning and interacting with both the program instructors from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and participants from various City agencies.” He has more than 20 years of City government experience, having previously worked for the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP).
“For the individuals I have supervised at DCP and NYCHA, I want them to experience what I seek: to grow and feel entrusted. I am confident that the Management Academy will help me in achieving these goals.”
For selection in the academy, employees must be agency staff who manage people and have responsibility for the design and/or implementation of City projects, programs, and processes. Prior to their selection, candidates were required to submit an essay, attend interviews, and participate in an in-person group observation. To learn more about the academy, visit www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/agencies/management-academy.page.
