Shira Gans is a social impact expert with more than 15 years’ experience creating positive change across the entertainment, government, and financial services sectors. She advises senior leaders on translating social investment goals into measurable programs, strategic grants, and community partnerships.

Currently, Shira is Senior Executive Director of Policy + Programs at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment where she drives efforts to promote diversity, inclusion, and sustainability in the creative sector. She is the architect of NYC’s inaugural $12M social impact strategy for the music industry spearheading initiatives to advance gender equity and create opportunities for underserved communities. She pioneered the annual NY Music Month with arts programming to 1M+ through 100+ partnerships, a $7.5M NYC Women's Fund for female-led creative projects and established the first Mayor’s Office of
Nightlife to support the night-time economy.

Previously Shira was Senior Policy Director at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs where she influenced regulatory action to eliminate gender discrimination in pricing.
Her career has spanned Program Director and Policy Analyst roles to address inequality at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Office of Manhattan Borough President, NYC Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Shira was named a 40 Under 40 Rising Star by City & State and her work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NY Magazine, Variety, Billboard, Elle, and more.

Shira holds a Master of Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University.