Maryam Banikarim

As a marketing professional, Maryam Banikarim created the award-winning WE❤️NYC campaign, and has led five major businesses (Nextdoor, Hyatt, Gannett, NBC Universal, Univision) through sweeping transformations.

Her community building took off during the pandemic when Banikarim turned her attention to driving civic participation in her hometown, New York City. She co-founded NYCNext, a volunteer army of 700 passionate New Yorkers that helped the city get through the depths of that time by working with award winning Broadway stars, TV personalities and musicians of all sorts to produce pop-up performances in the streets across the city including “A Moment for Broadway'' and an Emmy-winning video version of Billy Joel’s “NY State of Mind.” NYCNext is currently focused on The Longest Table, a free-to-all potluck that connects neighbors, builds community and spreads joy – building a movement that crosses the country.

As a sought-after speaker, Banikarim has delivered keynote speeches for a diverse range of clients such as Disney, The Points of Light Foundation, Ally Financial, Cognizant, and Ciena. She was also the Columbia Business School’s commencement speaker in 2021.

Her achievements have been recognized in industry lists such as Marketers that Matter's "Visionaries," New York Post's "50 Most Powerful Women in NYC," Fast Company's "Top 10 Disruptors," and Advertising Age's "Women to Watch." In addition to her professional accomplishments, Banikarim has received numerous honors recognizing her commitment to serving the broader community including the prestigious Ellis Island Medal and the Columbia Alumni Medal.

Banikarim holds degrees from Barnard College, Columbia Business School, and Columbia's School of International Affairs. She currently resides in New York City with her family and dog, Charlie.