Published June 17, 2026
For this episode of Building Tomorrow, we’re excited to share our live conversation with New York City Comptroller Mark Levine! At our 2026 conference, the city’s comptroller joined Urban Green Board Chair Sara Kendall to discuss the relationship between the climate and the city’s economy.
You can find the full video of our conference introduction and keynote conversation on YouTube and our event recap page.
Thank you to our sponsor, Carrier!
Speakers
Mark Levine
New York City Comptroller
Mark Levine has been at the forefront of advancing more affordable, equitable, and healthy communities for nearly 25 years. He began his career as a bilingual math and science teacher in the South Bronx and went on to found Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union, which has since provided more than $100 million in loans to families and small businesses across Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx.
Mark served for eight years on the New York City Council, including as Chair of the Committee on Parks, Chair of the Jewish Caucus, and Chair of the Committee on Health. In the latter role, he brought a science-based, data-driven approach to helping lead New York City through the worst public health crisis in a century. During his tenure, he authored and passed landmark tenant protections, including the nation’s first Right to Counsel law, guaranteeing legal representation to tenants facing eviction who cannot afford an attorney.
Mark was elected New York City Comptroller in November 2025 and assumed office on January 1, 2026.
Sara Kendall
Group VP, SourceBlue LLC; Turner Construction – Chair, Urban Green Council Board of Directors
Sara is Group Vice President of SourceBlue LLC, where she leads the development and execution of short- and long-term strategic initiatives that strengthen the company’s position as one of the world’s leading procurement and supply chain management firms. Previously, she led Turner Construction’s New York City Interiors business. With more than 25 years of experience managing complex construction projects, she is known for her leadership, communication, and problem-solving, as well as her ability to deliver high-profile projects across the commercial, life sciences, residential, and healthcare sectors. Sara also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Urban Green Council.
Key takeaways
- The New York City Comptroller’s Office aims to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and rising energy costs on the city’s economy and people. By allocating pension funds to decarbonization and resilience efforts, the Comptroller’s Office plays a critical role in creating a sustainable future for New York City.
- Fossil fuels are not a stable long-term investment because of the threat climate change poses to the city’s infrastructure and skyrocketing costs. Investments in clean energy, flood resilience, tree canopy coverage, and more are essential to protect the city from environmental crises and energy insecurity. These investments also aim to make energy more affordable.
Transcript
The transcript is coming soon.
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