Daniel McPhee is Executive Director of the Urban Design Forum, an independent membership organization confronting the defining issues facing New York City’s built environment. He was appointed in 2015 after coordinating the merger of the Institute for Urban Design and Forum for Urban Design. He produces programs and publications that showcase creative approaches to creating housing, transportation, open space, and climate resiliency. In recent years, he has led projects confronting significant challenges facing New York City, including the rise of homelessness, the maintenance of midcentury public works, and the public health impacts of extreme heat. Under his leadership, Urban Design Forum has launched new programs to support diverse and emerging leaders in design, planning and development, such as the Forefront Fellowship and New City Critics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he co-founded the Neighborhoods Now initiative to support New York City community organizations, small businesses, and cultural organizations to safely reopen and navigate evolving public health regulations. Daniel is a graduate of Vassar College, a past participant of Coro Leadership New York, and a member of the Sterling Network NYC. Prior to his work with the Forum, he worked as a community planner in San Francisco.