Note: This event focused on a classmate running for public office. It was neither a campaign event nor a fundraiser. ClassACT HR79 does not endorse political candidates or movements, but considers it a matter of public interest to hear from and feature classmates running for or holding public office.

A Conversation with Ray McGuire, Candidate for Mayor of New York City

On February 23, 2021, ClassACT HR79 was honored to host a conversation with classmate Ray McGuire (and HBS/HLS 84), moderated by NPR’s Michel Martin, HR 80. The event description is below, and a video of the interview portion is now available on our YouTube channel. 

Our goal was to learn about Ray’s life so far and why he’s running for “the second toughest job in America." They discussed Ray’s journey through Harvard, highlights of his career, and the personal reflections that led him to decide to enter public service and run for mayor. Award-winning journalist and weekend host of NPR’s All Things Considered Michel Martin interviewed Ray and also asked questions suggested by attendees. 

Ray McGuire spent over 30 years working in finance, for the last 13 years as global head of corporate and investment banking at Citigroup. Prior to his retirement and announcing his run for mayor of New York City, Ray was one of the highest ranking and longest serving Black executives working on Wall Street. Recently, Ray provided support and wrote the foreword for a landmark report that states racial inequity has cost the U.S. GDP $16 trillion over the last 20 years.

In addition to his work in finance, Ray serves on the boards of several nonprofits and educational institutions.

Emmy Award-winning Michel Martin is the weekend host of All Things Considered. She came to NPR in 2006, launching the one-hour daily news and talk show Tell Me More that aired 2007–2014. Before coming to NPR, Michel worked for ABC News for 14 years, serving as a correspondent for Nightline for 10 years. Michel has also worked at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. In 2019, Martin was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in journalism.