Maria Torres-Springer, the recently appointed First Deputy Mayor of New York City, is a trailblazer whose Filipino heritage and personal experiences growing up have profoundly shaped her leadership capabilities. At a recent event sponsored by the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce New York celebrating Filipino American History Month, Torres-Springer shared her journey from growing up between California and the Philippines to holding one of the highest positions in the city’s government.

Maria Torres-Springer at the Filipino American History Month event of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce New York in midtown Manhattan.

Born to Filipino immigrant parents—her father Manny from Pampanga and her mother Elsa from Batangas—she shared that her formative years were marked by challenges and perseverance. Born in Los Angeles, she lived in the Philippines from ages nine to fourteen after her mother passed away. Her father, a single parent struggling to raise three children, moved the family back to his hometown in Pampanga.

Mayor Eric Adams and First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer convened Filipino leaders and organizations and discussed a wide range of issues impacting the community, such as public safety, mental health, and economic opportunities. While recognizing the importance of cultural representation, Torres-Springer emphasized the need for action: “Recognition and representation are important… but what’s even more important is that we actually address the issues facing Filipinos.”

This decision provided her with the unique opportunity to grow up surrounded by extended family and to connect deeply with her Filipino roots. She also shared that her dad was the youngest of 23 siblings. “I had the wild fortune of growing up with, literally, it felt like hundreds of cousins. But my time in Pampanga was really valuable because it allowed me to understand where I came from, and it allowed me to connect not just to my family, but to the rich and deep history of Filipinos,” she recalled.

Mayor Eric Adams and First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer convened Filipino leaders and organizations and discussed a wide range of issues impacting the community, such as public safety, mental health, and economic opportunities. While recognizing the importance of cultural representation, Torres-Springer emphasized the need for action: “Recognition and representation are important… but what’s even more important is that we actually address the issues facing Filipinos.”

Her time in the Philippines, as well as her return to the U.S., where her family faced economic struggles, had a lasting impact on her understanding of the role of government in people’s lives.

“We relied on food stamps, we relied on Section 8, and I say all of that because I know firsthand what it means… we experienced it when government works, and we also experienced what it was like when government didn’t work,” she said, reflecting on her family’s reliance on government assistance during tough times. These experiences fueled her desire to enter public service and ensure that government programs truly help those in need.

Torres-Springer became the first in her family to attend college in the U.S., a milestone her parents supported by giving her all their savings. She earned a bachelor’s degree in ethics, politics, and economics from Yale University, followed by a master’s in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Throughout her career, Torres-Springer held influential roles under Mayors Mike Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio, and Eric Adams, shaping New York City’s economic and housing policies. She was instrumental in citywide projects like the Coney Island renovation and led significant positions, including Commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development. Before rejoining city government in 2022, she directed U.S. programs at the Ford Foundation, advocating for racial justice and workers’ rights.

Rachelle Ocampo pointed out that the Filipino community remains historically underserved, leading to the closure of three physical spaces for Filipinos over the last decade. Her remarks underscored the urgency of building capacity to better serve and support the Filipino community across New York City.

Now, as the First Deputy Mayor, Torres-Springer oversees strategic direction, operational and budgetary matters, and spearheads initiatives in housing and economic development. One of her primary focuses is advancing Mayor Eric Adams’s ambitious goal of creating 500,000 new homes over the next decade. “We believe, and I believe, that we can take a great leap forward as a city, because we have to, because that’s what New Yorkers deserve,” she emphasized.

Treasuring Her Filipino Values

Throughout her speech, Torres-Springer repeatedly attributed her success to the values instilled in her by her Filipino heritage, particularly hard work, humility, and optimism.

“No one works harder than I do, because no one works harder than the Filipino,” she proudly stated. This work ethic, rooted in her cultural background, is a key driver behind her leadership style and commitment to public service.

Humility, another deeply Filipino virtue, also shapes how she approaches her responsibilities. “I didn’t get here all by myself. I stand on the shoulders… of Filipinos who were strivers and doers and believers and survivors,” she said. This acknowledgment of the community and ancestors who paved the way for her success informs her sense of duty to open doors for others, especially underrepresented groups. She sees her position not just as a personal achievement but as an opportunity to uplift other Filipinos, the broader Asian Pacific Islander (API) community, and all New Yorkers struggling for a better life.

First Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer looks at the poster of the Filipino American community produced by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs led by Commissioner Manuel Castro.

Despite the challenges faced by the city and the nation, Torres-Springer maintains a sense of optimism—a quality she believes is inherently Filipino. She spoke about the turbulent political and social climate, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it can be easy to fall into cynicism. However, she chooses to approach these difficulties with hope, believing in the city’s ability to overcome them. “Filipinos are endlessly optimistic,” she remarked, “and I try to keep that too, because it keeps me going.”

Celebrating History

For her, Filipino American History Month serves as both a celebration and a call to action. With over 89,000 Filipinos in New York City alone, the month offers an opportunity to highlight the community’s contributions while tackling the everyday challenges they face. “It’s a month to celebrate, to recognize, to represent, and it’s also a month to act,” she stated. These actions, she believes, must focus on key issues that matter to Filipino American families, from economic development to health care.

Torres-Springer also called for more Filipino representation in leadership roles across public and private sectors. She stressed the importance of seeing Filipinos not only in government but also in corporate settings and other decision-making spaces. “It’s critical in my mind that you see Filipinos in all aspects of leadership… that we are at the table helping make decisions, shaping policy,” she remarked.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer led the roundtable meeting with Filipino community leaders.

Looking ahead, she is committed to ensuring that Filipino Americans—and all New Yorkers—are represented and heard in city government. She believes that fostering dialogue between communities and the government is essential to addressing the specific needs of Filipino Americans, such as issues surrounding small businesses, health care access, and public safety in areas like Little Manila. “We have to get the basics right,” she said, emphasizing the need for ongoing engagement with the community to ensure their voices are consistently heard.

As Maria Torres-Springer embarks on this new chapter as First Deputy Mayor of New York City, she remains driven by the values instilled in her by her Filipino heritage—hard work, humility, and optimism. Her commitment to uplifting marginalized communities and ensuring that government works effectively for everyone reflects her belief in the power of public service.

Torres-Springer envisions a New York where all voices are heard, and where communities like Little Manila receive the support they need to thrive. “It’s a privilege and a responsibility,” she said, “to use my role to open doors for others and make a lasting difference.” For Torres-Springer, this isn’t just a job—it’s a mission to honor her roots, celebrate her community, and pave the way for a more inclusive city for future generations.