City & State 50 over 50 alumni on dedication to public service

In times of political polarization, perhaps it’s best to draw wisdom from more seasoned players. At City and State’s 50 over 50 alumni event, celebrating 50 quadragenarian leaders of the last ten years – state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, WNYC radio host Brian Lehrer and New York City Planning Chair Marisa Lago reflected on their decades of dedication to public service and the divided state of the nation. 

“We are in a very, very challenging time at this moment,” said DiNapoli, one of the night’s keynote speakers on Thursday night at Circo in Times Square. “For those of us who are over 50, we reflect on where we're at. Sometimes from a political perspective, I sometimes say, how the hell did we get to this point?”

DiNapoli, who started his political career at 18, cast his first vote for himself when he ran as a trustee on the Mineola Board of Education – a position he won and served for the next 10 years. “Remember what the slogan was back then? Don't trust anybody over 30,” he told attendees. 

Now armed with experience, DiNapoli spoke of the wisdom one gains from weathering previous administrations fraught with polarization. 

 “We need the wisdom of folks like us who've been around for a bit. We've seen versions of this picture before,” he said. “I just remember saying, this country is just totally off the rails. We'll never get it back together. We'll never be united as a nation ever again. And I reflect back on that experience, of what we went through in the late 60s, early 70s – and then the country did, in fact, heal itself.” 

Brian Lehrer, the public radio host, drew attention to the success of intergenerational campaigns in his remarks – notably that of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, which has been gaining momentum within the democratic party. Urging collaboration among young and more seasoned members of the field, Lehrer stressed the importance of collaboration to nurture innovative solutions.

“In the context of political New York, humility in 2025 might include tapping our experience,” Lehrer said. “To come to terms with why Donald Trump keeps getting more votes even here in each election, and how we can stay responsive to people's concerns about journalism, public service and whatever our work is, even if we feel outraged.”

Decrying the Trump administration's cuts to essential services in her remarks, Marisa Lago, former under secretary of commerce for international trade and former director of the New York City Department of City Planning, spoke of the importance of selflessness and duty. 

“I recoil at how the federal government is now abusing this power, the sacred power,” she said. “So much harm to our nation and to individuals, and doing it with such cruelty. But at the same time, I am heartened by the fact that cities and states and most professionals in our beloved New York City and State can, and must play an even more important role in standing up for our core civic principles and providing for those among us who are in need.” 

In celebrating a diverse pool of leaders in media, philanthropy, social services, community organizing and more – Lago applauded honorees for their extended service, most of whom have dedicated several decades to the field.  

Imparting some wisdom to the younger people in the room, DiNapoli stressed that “the arc of history is the one that does bend towards justice.” 

"What's key is for us to look for those opportunities, to find common ground, to keep in mind the bigger picture,” he said. “To recognize that our system is made for people to come together.”