Kicking Off a Vision: NYGTIC’s First Executive Roundtable at Cornell Tech

I’m still energized by what we experienced this week. As the founder of the conceptual idea behind the New York Global Technology & Innovation Center (NYGTIC), it was incredibly meaningful to see this vision come to life through our very first Executive Roundtable—held during Post-NY Tech Week at Cornell Tech.

This wasn’t just an event. It was a spark.

Led by Randolph F. Wiggins, NYGTIC’s Executive Director, this soft launch brought together an extraordinary group of stakeholders across tech, policy, finance, and education—all aligned around one critical question:

What will it take for New York to lead the global innovation race?

The conversations were timely, bold, and deeply rooted in possibility. And I can’t thank Cornell Tech enough for being such a fierce and thoughtful partner in hosting this milestone moment.

Some Highlights That Still Have Me Thinking:

Fireside Chat – Randolph moderated a powerful discussion featuring leaders from the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) on how NYC can capture its share of the projected $12 trillion in global GDP—by empowering entrepreneurs and building truly scalable, inclusive ecosystems.

Urban Innovation Panel – Moderated by Kenneth Ebie (Ebie Strategies), this panel with leaders from NYCEDC, Tech:NYC, Pursuit, and Itana Africa tackled how cities like New York can be living labs for innovation and global impact.

Infrastructure & Investment Panel – Moderated by Queens Deputy Borough President Ebony Young, this conversation featured Bank of America, Cornell Tech, and the Partnership Fund for NYC, focusing on how institutions are laying the groundwork for the city’s next chapter in tech leadership.

Working Sessions – We closed out with strategy sessions designed to move us from talk to action, centered on global representation, measurable ROI, and long-term impact.

And a huge thank-you to Lydia Nikolic, CSRIC®, Managing Director at Bank of America, who closed us out with an invitation to our next NYGTIC convening in the Financial District this October.

Why This Matters

For me, this is personal. I helped shape this idea because I truly believe New York has everything it takes to lead on a global scale—if we lead with purpose, partnership, and people at the center.

That means:

Checking egos at the door
Building across sectors and silos
Creating space for bold ideas and bigger tables

We’re just getting started. But the energy, intention, and collaboration at this launch affirmed what I already knew:

New York is ready.

Ready to drive innovation that’s inclusive, global, and built for impact.

I can’t wait to share what’s next.

#NYGTIC #GlobalTech #InnovationLeadership #NYCTechFuture #PurposeDrivenPartnerships #FounderVision #TechEcosystemBuilders #WhatItTakes