La-Toya Niles

La-Toya was born in Barbados and raised in the Bronx, NYC. Her experiences shaped her interest in economic mobility, community investments, and livelihood strategies.

Currently serving as the Section Manager for Program Design New Markets and Program Growth within the Customer Clean Energy Program Department of Con Edison, La-Toya leads initiatives to expand electrification and energy efficiency programs and foster sustainable growth in new markets.

In addition to her work at Con Edison, La-Toya is researching renewable energy adoption and affordability, particularly in underserved communities domestically and abroad. As an Adjunct Professor of Urban Planning at Pace University Dyson School, she shares her expertise to inspire the next generation of urban planners and community leaders.

La-Toya also serves on the Board of Directors for the Metro NY Chapter of the National Black MBA Association as the Director of Business Development, advocating for economic empowerment and mobility within the Black community. She designed and hosted the inaugural ESG Conference, "The Future of Business: Advancing ESG Practices for a More Sustainable Future," focused on black and brown communities and entrepreneurs, bringing attention to environmental, social, and governance issues affecting these communities from the perspective of financial professionals, nonprofit leaders, and university partners.

Previously, La-Toya was the Senior Policy Advisor to the First Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). In this role, she assists the agency with interdisciplinary projects focused on process improvement, program design and implementation, and harm reduction within the agency's strategy and priorities. She also served as the Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development with the Mosholu Preservation Corporation to improve the social determinants of health within the Bronx to create healthier and sustainable communities and as the Senior Program Manager of Capacity Building Initiatives with the Neighborhood Development Division at the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS).

La-Toya is a PhD Candidate of Urban Systems at NYU Tandon. She also holds a Master of Science in Applied Urban Science and Informatics from Tandon, a Master of Public Administration in Urban and Social Policy from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from CUNY Baruch College Zicklin School of Business.