Dec 2021 – New York, NY – The New Yorkers who are making the world a better place.
As each year winds down, City & State turns its focus to honoring a select group of New Yorkers who exemplify what it means to be a socially responsible citizen. Unlike the many power lists we publish recognizing the most influential individuals in city and state politics, this feature instead highlights those who are dedicated to helping others. These leaders – in business, government, nonprofits and advocacy – exemplify the optimism and idealism that make New York a national leader, especially as partisan gridlock hinders the nation’s ability to contend with an unending pandemic, heightened racial tensions and a rising climate crisis.
City & State received hundreds of nominations for this year’s list. Once we narrowed it down to 100 individuals, we asked each honoree to respond to some questions: What does your job entail and why do you enjoy the work you do? What does social responsibility mean to you – and how do you achieve it in your work? What’s the best advice you ever received? We took the most compelling excerpts, edited for length and style, to paint a portrait of each honoree’s endeavors to make the world a better place – and insights into how we can follow their lead.
Andrew Cavaluzzi- Partner and Co-Founder, Hudson Valley Property Group
Job description: I oversee HVPG’s construction and operations, which means my work focuses on the physical product being delivered to the residents and resident experience across our portfolio.
Defining social responsibility: Social responsibility means being a good corporate citizen, understanding the role your company and its dealings have in the communities they work in and utilizing that role to make a positive and lasting impact. HVPG incorporates social responsibility into the very purpose of our business – providing affordable, high-quality housing. Each of our projects must achieve the threshold of affirmatively answering, “Would we let our own family live there?”
Best advice: I received advice from my dad when I was young: “Never be afraid to walk outside of my shadow. You will never grow up and be the real you if you don’t.”
