City & State Names Health System's Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs to '2022 Nonprofit 40 Under 40' List
Maidel De La Cruz is recognized for her dedication to improving access to health care in vulnerable communities
Apr 07, 2022
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs Maidel De La Cruz has been named on the “2022 Nonprofit 40 Under 40” list by City & State New York and its sister publication New York Nonprofit Media. City & State every year showcases a group of young, diverse leaders in the nonprofit world who are making a difference in New York. De La Cruz is recognized for her dedication to improving access to health care in vulnerable communities. She currently leads the system’s local legislative agenda and represents NYC Health + Hospitals before local elected officials.
“I am thrilled to congratulate Maidel on this well-deserved honor. She is an essential part of our team, and her hard and smart work helps us advance the mission of NYC Health + Hospitals every day,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President for External and Regulatory Affairs Deborah Brown, JD, MSW. “It’s been rewarding to watch Maidel progress in her career over the last several years, and I have every confidence this is just the beginning for her.
“It is an honor to be featured on this list alongside such esteemed leaders in the nonprofit sector,” said De La Cruz. “I am so fortunate to be able to carry out this work at NYC Health + Hospitals, and to be a part of this team which inspires me daily.”
De La Cruz has built a deep understanding of all levels of government. She joined NYC Health + Hospitals in August 2020 after serving in the mayor’s office for more than three years, most recently as Interim Chief of Staff for Intergovernmental Affairs. She also served under the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, where as a Policy Advisor she supported the launch of NYC Care, a health care access program that guarantees free and low-cost services by NYC Health + Hospitals to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance. Earlier, De La Cruz worked at the Clinton Foundation as a program coordinator before serving on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, the first woman ever to become the presidential nominee for a major U.S. party. De La Cruz is a graduate of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and The College of New Jersey.
In 2019, City & State New York named De La Cruz one of New York City’s “40 Under 40 Rising Stars.”