Sandi Franklin, Executive Director of the Center for the Urban Environment, which is located in the Park Slope/Gowanus area, was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Executive Council at its sixth annual “New York Ten Awards.” 

The award represents a selection of ten companies and individuals in the greater New York business community that display extraordinary innovation and leadership in their industry and beyond.   The competition for the award was strong, with over 130 nominees. “The energy in the room was palpable. But I was particularly honored to share the stage with one of my heroes,” said Franklin of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.  who delivered the keynote address for the evening.

In accepting her award, Franklin underscored what she saw as an exciting era of innovation and opportunity and lauded her peers in the business community for their ability to recognize the importance of supporting nonprofit organizations and join with them “to lead our world towards a more sustainable future."The next day, Franklin joined fellow awardees to open the NASDAQ.

One of only a few nonprofit leaders awarded, Sandi Franklin’s relentless style and unwavering personality has allowed her to build an organization, inspire advocacy, and touch lives in communities across New York City.