Hope Knight
Hope Knight is the President, CEO, and Commissioner of Empire State Development (ESD), New York State’s chief economic development agency. Nominated by Governor Kathy Hochul in October 2021 and confirmed by the New York State Senate in May 2022, Knight has prioritized inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Under her leadership, ESD launched the Office of Strategic Workforce Development to better align workforce training with industry needs. She has also championed initiatives supporting small businesses and expanding opportunities for minority- and women-owned enterprises. Remarkably, Knight played a key role in facilitating Micron Technology’s $100 billion investment in Central New York, marking a historic milestone in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.
Before leading ESD, Knight was President and CEO of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, where she spearheaded community revitalization and sustainable real estate projects in Southeast Queens. Her previous roles include Chief Operating Officer of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, managing over $150 million in investments and leveraging more than $1 billion in private capital, and Vice President positions at Morgan Stanley in both the U.S. and Japan. Knight began her career at Accenture and in New York City government. She holds a BA from Marymount Manhattan College and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.