Shaun Donovan

Shaun Donovan. He is an American public servant and housing policy expert who served in senior roles under President Barack Obama and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. His career has focused on urban development and federal budgeting, culminating in his tenure as the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and later as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. He also mounted a significant campaign for Mayor of New York City in the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, he was raised in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea. He attended New York University for a brief period before transferring to Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. His academic focus on public policy and urban issues was influenced by the housing challenges visible in his hometown. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued graduate work at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, further solidifying his expertise in housing and community development.

Career in government

His early career included work at the Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development and as a housing policy advisor in the administration of President Bill Clinton. In 2004, Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed him Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, where he launched the ambitious New Housing Marketplace Plan. In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated him to lead the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. As Secretary, he oversaw the implementation of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and managed the agency's response to the Great Recession. In 2014, he was confirmed as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, succeeding Sylvia Mathews Burwell, where he managed the federal budget through the end of the Obama administration.

2021 New York City mayoral campaign

In September 2020, he announced his candidacy in the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary. His campaign platform centered on a comprehensive recovery plan for the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, with major proposals on affordable housing, climate change, and economic inequality. He secured endorsements from figures like former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and the New York League of Conservation Voters. Despite significant fundraising, he finished in eighth place in the primary, which was ultimately won by Eric Adams.

Post-government career

Following the mayoral campaign, he joined the Harvard Kennedy School as a senior fellow, focusing on housing and urban policy research. He also serves on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations, including the Community Preservation Corporation and the New York City Housing Development Corporation. He remains a frequent commentator on national housing policy, contributing to publications like The New York Times and appearing on networks such as MSNBC.

Personal life

He is married to Liza Gilbert, an architect and professor at the Cooper Union. The couple has two sons and resides in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope. His father, Michael Donovan, was a public interest lawyer who worked with the Legal Aid Society. Outside of public policy, he is an avid runner and has completed the New York City Marathon.

Category:American housing officials Category:Obama administration cabinet members Category:Harvard University alumni Category:New York City mayoral candidates