It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our colleague, Heather Sutton, Deputy Director of LMIS at the Center for Urban Research. Heather joined LMIS in 2019, bringing with her more than 15 years of experience in workforce development, nonprofit management, and a profound commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for underserved communities.

Heather was a tireless champion for children, youth, and families across New York City. Her work spanned early childhood education, K–12 support, college success, and career pathway development, with each initiative rooted in a clear-eyed understanding of systemic barriers and a deep belief in the potential of every individual. Through her leadership, she forged meaningful public-private partnerships that created lasting impact and opened doors to economic mobility for countless New Yorkers. Her work was not just strategic; it was deeply personal and purpose-driven.

Her legacy lives on in the lives she changed, and in the example she set for us all. She will be deeply missed. To remember and celebrate her life, please visit her Facebook memorial page here.