Marisa Lago

Marisa Lago serves as the Director of the NYC Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission. Lago previously served in the Obama Administration as the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for International Markets and Development. Lago served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Empire State Development, where she pushed forward important long-term development projects, including the revitalization of Erie Canal Harbor in Buffalo, the expansion and renovation of the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, and the construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Immediately prior to joining New York State government, Lago spent five years as the Global Head of Compliance for Citigroup's corporate and investment bank. Before joining Citigroup, Lago headed the Office of International Affairs for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As the head of the office responsible for all aspects of the SEC's international activities, Lago played a key role in numerous international initiatives involving trade in financial services, international accounting standards, securities activities on the internet and enhancing financial regulation in off-shore financial centers. As Boston's Chief Economic Development Officer from 1994 to 1997, Lago headed the Boston Redevelopment Authority and was also responsible for the city's public housing, affordable housing, neighborhood development and job training agencies. From 1990 to 1994, she was General Counsel for New York City's Economic Development Corporation. Lago earned a J.D. cum laude in 1982 from Harvard Law School, and a B.S. in physics from Cooper Union in 1977. Lago is married to Ron Finiw, an architect.