Gordon J. Campbell

Clinical Professor of Public Service, Director of EMPA-Public Service Leaders Program, NYU Wagner

Gordon Campbell has over 30 years of experience in public and nonprofit leadership and management. He most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of New York City, which creates, leads and supports strategic initiatives that have a measurable and lasting impact in improving education, income stability, and health.

Mr. Campbell was Chief Executive Officer of Safe Horizon, the nation’s leading and largest victim assistance organization, from 1998 to 2007. During his tenure, Safe Horizon was widely recognized for its compassionate and effective emergency response to the 9 /11 attacks. Prior to leading Safe Horizon, Mr. Campbell served in senior positions in the Koch, Dinkins and Giuliani Administrations. He was the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Homeless Services and Chief of Staff to the First Deputy Mayor. In addition, he was Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Operations and a mayoral appointee to the City’s Procurement Policy Board. While at the City’s Human Resources Administration, he headed the Office of Medicaid Transportation and created and organized the Division of AIDS Services.

Before arriving in New York City, Mr. Campbell served as a prosecutor, labor attorney, as well as the Chief Administrator for the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.

Mr. Campbell has served on numerous public boards, taskforces and commission. Currently, he is the Vice Chair of NYC Health and Hospitals. Most recently, he was Chair of the New York City Board of Correction, Co-Chair of the Mayoral/City Council Age-Friendly New York City Commission, Co-Chair of the New York City Strengthening Non-Profits Task Force, and a Boardmember of BronxWorks. Previously, he served as a mayoral appointee to the Health and Human Service Information and Referral Corporation (i.e., 311/211) and the New York City Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. He was also Chairperson of the Human Services Council, served on the board of the 9/11 United Services Group, and was a member of the Executive Council of the Coordinated Assistance Disaster Network.

Gordon served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Administration at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service from 1996-2003 and 2011-2012. Currently, he serves as a Public Service Fellow to the school.

He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Washington Law School, his Master in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and his Bachelor of Arts from Pacific Lutheran University.