Christopher Ward

Christopher O. Ward is a highly accomplished leader with a distinguished career in government and infrastructure development. As Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, he oversaw a multi-billion-dollar annual budget and nearly 7,000 staff, leading the turnaround of the long-stalled World Trade Center redevelopment and delivering the 9/11 Memorial Plaza two years ahead of schedule. Under his leadership, the agency secured transformative real estate and transportation agreements, including a $1.3 billion terminal deal with Delta Air Lines at JFK and a major lease with Condé Nast at One World Trade Center, while implementing a $25 billion ten-year capital plan to prioritize regional infrastructure investments.

During the Bloomberg administration, Mr. Ward served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, where he led critical environmental initiatives such as restarting the Third Water Tunnel project and advancing the Croton Water Filtration Plant. Managing one of the nation’s largest water systems, he oversaw a capital budget exceeding $1 billion while ensuring compliance with federal environmental standards and enhancing the city’s air and water quality.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ward has built strong relationships with public sector leaders and institutions, advocating for infrastructure funding and sustainable development. His leadership roles include serving as Director of the General Contractors Association of New York, where he championed funding for public works, and as a board member of the Waterfront Alliance, supporting sustainable regional growth.

Mr. Ward holds a BA from Macalester College and an MTS from Harvard University. He is a board member of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York and the New York Building Congress, contributing his expertise to drive strategic initiatives that benefit the public good.