By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s second-in-command, was appointed head of the billionaire’s charitable foundation on Wednesday.
Harris had previously been president of the Bloomberg Family Foundation but will take on additional responsibilities as chief executive and chairwoman of the philanthropic organization, in addition her duties as deputy mayor.
Harris, who accompanied the mayor from Bloomberg LP to City Hall, was expected to take the top post at the foundation following the mayor’s second term, but the reversal of term limits now has Harris doing double-duty.
Bloomberg also recruited former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, among others, to serve on his philanthropy’s board. The mayor’s daughters, Georgina and Emma, also sit on the board.
Bloomberg’s communications director, James Anderson, left the administration for the foundation recently, and departing deputy mayor Kevin Sheekey, who is joining Bloomberg LP, will also advise Bloomberg on his philanthropic endeavors.
Bloomberg gave away $254 million to over 1,3000 charities in 2009 and was ranked number four on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s “Philanthropy 100” list.
