keynote speaker

Neil Albert currently serves as the District of Columbia’s Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development under DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, and has an extensive record of public service.


In that capacity, he assists the Mayor in the coordination, planning, supervision, and execution of all programs, policies, proposals, and functions related to economic development in the District of Columbia. The Deputy Mayor also advises the Mayor on the most effective allocation of public resources devoted to economic development.

Prior to his current appointment, in 2004 Mayor Anthony Williams appointed Albert as Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders. There Albert provided oversight and management for eight (8) city agencies and led the development of “Homeless No More”, the Mayor’s ten-year plan to end homelessness. He also led the search for DC’s first Director of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, and developed the Mayor’s first Youth Development Strategy. Albert developed partnerships with community and faith-based organizations, corporations and other District agencies to coordinate services in support of youth and families; increased resources for homeless and early childhood services; developed the framework for the District’s youth development strategy; strengthened youth and social service programs; and achieved top national certification for all twenty one (21) child care centers under his control.

Before being tapped as deputy mayor, Mr. Albert served as Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation since 2001, following short terms as Deputy Director for Operations and Interim Director of the agency. As Director of Parks and Recreation for the District of Columbia, Albert began a new course for the Department, which for years had under-performed. He was responsible for proper development and maintenance of DC’s parks and recreation facilities and coordinating the many city-sponsored recreational activities. He oversaw staffing at the District’s 381 neighborhood parks as well as 77 recreation centers and playgrounds, which included 42 swimming pools and more than 170 tennis courts. Throughout his tenure as Director, Albert improved and expanded the agency’s infrastructure by implementing technology, strengthening staff through retraining and national recruiting, and creating a community relations unit.

Undaunted by the task, Albert brought his knowledge, experience, stability and credibility to the department after years of low morale, crumbling infrastructure and low performance. He led the most aggressive parks and recreation rehabilitation program in DC’s home rule history, building and renovating 17 recreation centers and parks, 11 swimming pools, 58 playgrounds, 24 ball fields, and 40 tennis and basketball courts, while leveraging both public and private expertise to support his effort. Additionally, Albert was responsible for the development of Green Spaces for DC, a non-profit auxiliary organization that complements the city’s efforts with respect to park matters.

Albert also served as the Mayor’s representative to the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission and the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Sports Commission, working to improve neighborhood recreation and sports programs. In this role, he fostered an environment of accountability and a focus on results that has changed the way that government services are delivered, and has raised the expectations of District residents from infants to senior citizens.

Before his public service in Washington, DC, Mr. Albert served for five years as the Director of Nonprofit Assistance Programs for the Fund of the City of New York where he led that foundation’s management consulting practice to New York City nonprofit agencies. Mr. Albert also served as Director of Contract Agency Finance for the New York City Department of Youth Services, where he was responsible for managing the financial, accounting and technical assistance functions required for the disbursement of more than $64 million in city and state funds to more than 800 grantees.

Deputy Mayor Albert has held public sector executive management positions for more than 15 years. He holds a Master of Business Administration in finance from the New York Institute of Technology and is involved in many social issues through his volunteer work and membership on the boards of nonprofit organizations.

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** News / announcements **

Register 2007 Leadership Summit Today
date, time, location, cost

Thursday, June 26, 2008
6:30–8:30 pm

VIP Welcoming Reception
National Press Club
13th Floor- First Amendment Lounge
529 Fourteenth St. NW
Washington, DC 20045
$25 per person

Friday, June 27, 2008
8 am to 12 noon, and 2 pm to 5 pm

Summit Policy Sessions
National Press Club
13th Floor - The Holeman Lounge
529 Fourteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20045
$60 per person


Friday, June 27, 2008
12 Noon to 2 pm

Luncheon Program with Keynote Speaker
National Press Club
13th Floor - First Amendment Lounge
529 Fourteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20045
$60 per person


Sign up today!


who should attend

Stakeholders living in the U. S. Virgin Islands, the United States and abroad, who have a vested interest in a strengthened U. S. Virgin Islands. These include individuals in:

  • Corporations
  • Academia
  • Government (Territorial, City, County, State or Federal)
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
  • Private, Community or Non-profit organizations