Silda Wall Spitzer's career and life path have been framed by themes of service and entrepreneurism. Her efforts have focused on youth engagement and education, women and sustainability.
Silda is Founding Chair (emerita) and Board member of Children for Children, a not-for-profit creating opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to Grow Involved through volunteering and service learning. Children for Children combined with Points of Light and HandsOn Network in June 2009 to serve as its youth service entity. Silda joined the Board of the Points of Light Institute in January 2009. Silda is also a founding Co-Chair of Project Cicero, the annual New York City book drive building classroom libraries for under-resourced students and served on the 2008 ServiceNation Leadership Council. From 2004-06 she was a member of the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Leadership. Silda served as Chair of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service in 2007/08.
With a law degree from Harvard Law School and ten years as a practicing corporate attorney, Silda was honored to serve as First Lady of the State of New York. Her initiatives included: working to grow volunteering and service throughout in the state as Chair of the State Commission; Greening the Mansion to promote green buildings, alternative energy and local foods; and I Live New York to attract and retain the next generation by building economic opportunity and livable communities. She also created the related Young Leader's Congress and reconstituted the New York Empire Plaza Art Commission to enhance and expand the state art collection.
Both before and during her time as First Lady, she also spoke to and on behalf of women, serving as a driving force behind The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee's Women's Vote Project in 2006 and ERLC Honorary Co-Chair 2007.
Silda is currently Managing Director at Metropolitan Capital Advisors, positioning and building this woman-controlled firm, as well as generating ideas, particularly in the renewable energy sector. She also recently joined the Board of the Urban Green Council (formerly United States Green Buildings Council New York Chapter).
She and her husband have three teenage daughters, so the issue of service as vital to the civic, social and economic fabric of our nation and the future of our world remains central to her efforts.