WhoRunsGov

Laurel A. Blatchford

Chief of Staff for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (since January 2009)

(HUD.gov)

Why She Matters

Blatchford spent six years working for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, first as a senior policy adviser to Daniel Doctoroff, deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding, then as chief of staff at the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

While working for Doctoroff, she successfully led the rezoning of Manhattan's Far West Side and the creation of a new central business district as well as the transformation of the city's High Line.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Vice President of Development at General Growth Properties (2008-2009); Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development (2004-2008); Senior Policy Adviser at the New York City Office of the Mayor (2002 to 2004)
  • Hometown: New York
  • Alma Mater: Williams College, B.A. (anthropology/sociology and women's studies), 1994; Harvard University, M.A. (public policy) 2000
  • DC Office: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410,Phone: (202) 708-1112
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

Blatchford, a New York native, graduated cum laude from Williams College in 1994. After graduation, she went to the New York County District Attorney Labor Racketeering Unit, where she spent 3 years as an investigative analyst. She then moved on to work for the New York City Public

Advocate, where she served as a policy analyst and assistant to the chief of staff.

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