YESENIA SCHEKER IZQUIERDO

REACH: The program provides $119 million in funding and management training to more than 260 small and medium-size cultural institutions.

WHAT’S NEXT: To build on the momentum of the digital accelerator initiative, a $43 million program for institutions in the city and London for strategic improvements to their tech infrastructure

Today she heads up Bloomberg Philanthropies’ arts program, one of the largest art funders in the United States, providing money to more than 700 cultural organizations around the world. e program also o ers pro bono consulting on cultural matters to 19 cities globally. Levin oversees programs such as the Public Art Challenge, which gives up to $1 million to cities for public art projects that address critical civic issues. Projects included the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre of 1921 and a program that turned illegal dumping sites in Camden, New Jersey, into art installations.

More than any particular performance or object on display, Levin said, public art is a crucial component of life in the city.

“It’s a remarkably e ective way of creating community collaboration,” she said.

Other programs include the Bloomberg arts internship program, which provides paid internships at cultural organizations to rising public high school students, and the Art Asphalt Initiative, which makes grants for colorful, graphic drawings in public spaces, slowing tra c and making areas safer and friendlier to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. e rst two rounds supported 42 projects in the United States and, in 2022, 19 cities in Europe. In 2019 Levin’s organization launched Bloomberg Connects, a free mobile app with guides to 168 museums, galleries and other cultural organizations. So far it has attracted 1.3 million users.

Among Levin’s priorities going forward are a digital accelerator to help cultural institutions make better use of technology and the opening this year of the Perelman Performing Arts Center at Ground Zero.

AS THE MANAGING PARTNER of KPMG’s New York City o ce, Yesenia Scheker Izquierdo is responsible for the rm’s strategy and business growth in the New York metropolitan region, its largest market. She is the rst woman and rst Latina in this role.

In addition, Scheker Izquierdo is the U.S. and global tax industry leader for KPMG’s building, construction and real estate practice and the partner in charge of its real estate tax practice.

She started her career serving real estate clients in the rm’s tax practice. It’s an industry, she said, for which she has a true passion. In fact, one of the rst things she did when she started in her current role in 2021—in the middle of the pandemic—had to do with real estate. Scheker Izquierdo helped select 2 Manhattan West, the 58- oor tower under construction in Hudson Yards, as KPMG’s new home starting in 2025, a decision that coincided with the company’s 125th anniversary.

REACH: Leads the largest revenuegenerating market for KPMG U.S., which had $11.4 billion in revenue in 2022

WHAT’S NEXT: Empowering KPMG employees to get involved in community service and to serve on boards of nonpro t organizations

“It’s a historic move for the rm and a nice way to show our recommitment to New York City at a time when the city is starting to thrive again,” she said.

Active in nonpro ts, Scheker Izquierdo is a member of the board of the United Way of New York City and a co-founder of the Women’s Executive Circle, which works to advance female executives and increase their representation on corporate boards of directors. At KPMG, she started and heads the women’s real estate steering committee. She is a member of the rm’s Accelerate 2025 Taskforce, which seeks to attract, retain and advance underrepresented talent.

“I had a lot of people along the way who believed in me and put a lot of opportunities in front of me,” Scheker Izquierdo said. “It’s important for me to use my in uence to lift others.”

Among her priorities are designing and building the workplace of the future at KPMG’s new digs at 2 Manhattan West—and doubling down on participation in civic life.

“We are a signi cant employer here,” she said, “and should be having all employees and partners looking for ways to give back to the community and the city.”