Statement from UWNYC President and CEO Grace Bonilla on Serving on Governor Hochul’s Lake Placid-New York City Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee

Statement from UWNYC President and CEO Grace Bonilla on Serving on Governor Hochul's Lake Placid-New York City Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee

Jun 25, 2026 | Advocacy, Blog, Blog Featured Articles, Impact, News, News Featured Articles

June 25, 2026

I am deeply honored to be chosen to serve on Governor Hochul's exploratory committee, joining a remarkable team of leaders from government, sports, and the community-based sector, to assess what a Lake Placid-New York City Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games could mean for New Yorkers.

I'm thrilled to co-chair the Community Engagement Subcommittee alongside James McKenna, Vice Chair and CEO of the Uihlein Foundation, as community engagement will be central to determining whether to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to New York. Before any consideration of a formal bid, our process will include long-term evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and due diligence - with community voice at the center.

This is an exciting opportunity to help explore how an Olympic and Paralympic Games could support our incredible city and state while creating lasting opportunities for communities across New York. On the heels of the Knicks championship and the excitement surrounding the current FIFA World Cup, we at United Way of New York City have seen firsthand how major sports events can strengthen, unite, and energize our communities.

I look forward to working alongside Governor Hochul, my fellow committee members, and partners across the state to explore how these events can shape a bright future for New York City and New York State.

See here for more information on the exploratory committee.