Crain’s New York Business Names Hope Knight ’85 a 2025 Woman of Influence
Hope Knight ’85
Hope Knight ’85, a trailblazing executive and public servant, has been named a 2025 Woman of Influence by Crain’s New York Business. Honorees of the program, who were announced in April, are visionary women leaders who drive progress across diverse sectors, including real estate, finance, health care, sports, the nonprofit world, and more.
Knight has served as the president, CEO, and commissioner of Empire State Development—New York’s economic development arm—since 2022. Nominated for the post by Governor Kathy Hochul, Knight is the first African American to lead the agency.
In writing about Knight’s accomplishments, Crain’s New York Business noted that she had led transformative economic efforts across the state and played a key role in securing Micron Technology’s $100 billion investment to build a semiconductor fabrication facility in central New York. When completed, it will be the largest semiconductor plant in the U.S., projected to create 50,000 jobs. Knight also oversees programs supporting workforce training, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and private investment, drawing on decades of experience in finance and community development.
According to Crain’s, up next on Knight’s to-do list “is to make New York a leader in artificial intelligence for the public good and redevelop the former Lincoln correctional facility in Harlem to create middle-income homes for public employees,” among other projects.
Knight is also active in the non-profit world, serving as a board member of several community institutions. She is a trustee emerita of Marymount Manhattan College.
Read more at Crain’s New York Business.
Published: May 20, 2025
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