Business Executive Maria Gotsch named “Visionary” Awardee
Maria Gotsch’s acumen combines her economic expertise with a focus on improving New York City by advancing science.
Published May 4, 2026
By Nick Fetty
While the mission of The New York Academy of Sciences is to advance science for the benefit of society, the Partnership Fund for New York City (the Fund) similarly aims to advance economic and business interests for the betterment of the city.
The Academy honored Maria Gotsch, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, with its 2026 Trailblazer Award during the second annual Spring Soirée, hosted on April 21st at the University Club in New York City. The Fund was a Benefactor-level sponsor for the event.
Kathy Wylde, the longtime leader of the Partnership for New York City who announced her retirement last year, took to the stage to introduce the award. She discussed how Gotsch’s early career straddled “two iconic New York industries:” the Broadway stage and Wall Street. Gotsch found success in banking prior to transitioning to the non-profit sector, “where she could make maximum impact in the city she loved.”
“At the Fund Maria has excelled at mobilizing private sector resources both investment capital and expertise, to create jobs, strengthen communities, and support the innovators and entrepreneurs who are defining New York’s place in a rapidly changing economy,” said Wylde.
The Power of Pink and Yellow Flowers
Wylde then called Gotsch to the stage to present her with the glass trophy.
“Being an advocate for the last 15 years for scientists and the translation of their work into commercial products has been a pleasure,” Gotsch said.
Gotsch traced her interest in biomedical science to when she was six years old. When her beloved grandmother Mildred passed away from cancer, she wrote a letter to then President Richard Nixon advocating for the United States government to fund cancer research. She noted that the stationary she used to pen the note was etched in “little pink and yellow flowers.”
“Today annual federal funding for cancer research is four times higher than it was in 1970 and there have been stunning breakthroughs in treatment and early detection. So never underestimate the power of little pink and yellow flowers,” Gotsch said with a smile, as those in attendance laughed along.
Gotsch is just the second person to receive this honor after the inaugural award was given to Albert Bourla, DVM, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, during the 2025 Spring Soirée.
Advancing Economics for the Benefit of NYC
Gotsch joined the Fund in 1999 after stints with BT Wolfensohn (now part of Deutsche Bank), LaSalle Partners, and Merrill Lynch. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Wellesley College.
During her time with the Fund, she has spearheaded the creation and operation of several of her organization’s strategic initiatives, including:
- FinTech Innovation Lab
- New York Digital Health Accelerator
- NYCSeed
- BioAccelerate Prize NYC
- Arts Entrepreneurial Loan Fund
- ReStart Central and Financial Recovery Fund
In addition to leading the Fund, Gotsch serves advisory roles at Columbia University, ProPublica, and Sonepar. She’s also been honored for her business acumen by top industry outlets like Crain’s, City & State, and Institutional Investor.
Founded in 1996, investor and philanthropist Henry Kravis wanted to create a “corporate civic investment fund” to benefit the city and its people. Kravis was largely influenced by David Rockefeller who rallied the private sector to overcome the city’s financial crisis in the mid-1970s. To date, the fund has invested over $200 million and has built a network of top experts from the investment and corporate communities who help identify and support New York City’s most promising entrepreneurs in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.
“At its core the mission is clear. New York City needs to live up to its potential. We have world class science at our universities and the companies that are developing the world class cures should also be in New York City, not in Boston,” Gotsch concluded, with many in attendance cheering on her subtle dig at New York’s rival city. “We are all lucky to spend time in the community of the curious and the creative.”
