Sheena Wright Bio, Net Worth, Age, Husband, Kids, Ethnicity, Family, Salary, Social Media, Nationality and More

Who is Sheena Wright?

Sheena Wright is an American nonprofit executive, attorney, and public servant known for her leadership in New York City government and social impact organizations. Born on January 6, 1970, Wright became the first woman to lead United Way of New York City. Wright is widely recognized for her barrier-breaking leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to underserved communities. She, however, resigned from her government role in October 2024, amid federal investigations into the Adams administration, though she was not formally charged.

Uncover insights into the successful career journey of Dermot Shea, a retired American police officer who served as the 44th New York City Police Commissioner from 1991 until his retirement in late 2021.

How old is Sheena Wright?

Wright was born on January 6, 1970, in the South Bronx, New York City, U.S., making her 55 years old as of 2025. She always celebrates her birthday on January 6 every year, and her zodiac sign is Capricorn.

Personal Information Summary

Early Life and Education

Wright was born on January 6, 1970, in the South Bronx, New York City. Wright’s mother, Debra Fraser-Howze, is a nationally recognized health advocate and the founder and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. She also established Choose Healthy Life, a network of churches dedicated to providing coronavirus testing and administering vaccines. Her sister, Tanya Wright, is an actress known for roles in television series such as Orange Is the New Black and The Cosby Show. Wright attended the George School in Pennsylvania before enrolling at Columbia University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Arts (1990) and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees (1994). During her college years, Wright was a member of the varsity track and field team.

Sheena Wright Marriage/Husband

Wright is married to David C. Banks, who served as the New York City Schools Chancellor from January 2022 to October 2024 in the Adams administration. They made their relationship public in 2022 and later tied the knot in a private ceremony on Martha’s Vineyard in late September 2024. Their wedding drew public attention due to its timing, just days after federal investigators raided their home as part of a broader corruption probe into Mayor Eric Adams’ administration. David Banks confirmed the marriage during a televised interview in October 2024, stating, “I’m a married man,” while addressing questions about the federal investigation and his subsequent resignation as Chancellor (Information as per Fox 5 News). Wright has children from a previous relationship, though their names and personal details are not publicly disclosed.

Sheena Wright’s controversy with her former husband

Wright was previously married to Gregg Walker, a former executive at Sony. Their relationship drew public attention due to a legal controversy in 2013. Wright was arrested following a domestic dispute with her estranged husband. The incident reportedly involved a physical altercation, and while charges were not pursued, the arrest became a matter of public record. At the time, then-NYPD Chief Philip Banks, David Banks’ brother, made inquiries into the arrest, raising questions about internal influence and favoritism. This connection later resurfaced when Wright was appointed Deputy Mayor and Philip Banks became a senior advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, prompting scrutiny over the close ties among top city officials (Information as per The City.com)

Sheena Wright Early Career Roles

After earning her undergraduate degree from Columbia University and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, Wright began her career as a corporate lawyer at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, one of the most prestigious law firms in the United States. During this period, Wright served as general counsel for Crave Technologies, a minority-owned software startup. She transitioned from law into nonprofit leadership, joining the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC), a Harlem-based community development organization in Detroit, Michigan.

She rose to become President and CEO of ADC, where she led initiatives in affordable housing, education, and economic development. Her work at ADC focused on revitalizing Harlem through strategic investments and partnerships, including the development of schools and commercial spaces. However, Wright’s leadership at Abyssinian faced criticism from former employees, who alleged that over $500,000 was spent on team-building and leadership events, including trips described as “junkets or vacations for favored senior staff” to destinations such as Martha’s Vineyard, the Bahamas, and Jamaica (Information as per Wikipedia).

Other Roles

In 2012, Wright was appointed President and CEO of United Way of New York City (UWNYC), becoming the first woman to lead the organization in its nearly 80-year history. At UWNYC, she spearheaded efforts to combat poverty and improve education outcomes for underserved communities. She launched the “ReadNYC” initiative, aimed at improving childhood literacy, and strengthened the organization’s focus on collective impact and cross-sector collaboration. Her success in this role drew attention from regional leaders, and in 2009, she was appointed president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber. Under her leadership, the chamber played a central role in Detroit’s economic revitalization, expanding its influence and impact across the region

In addition to her executive roles, Wright served on Mayor Bloomberg’s Neighborhood Investment Advisory Panel and contributed to economic policy discussions as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Advisory Board. Wright also spent time working with The New York Times Washington bureau as an Editorial Assistant and is a member of the New York State Bar. In 2023, Wright was promoted to First Deputy Mayor of New York City, making her the second-highest-ranking official in the city’s administration. She is the first woman to hold this position. As First Deputy Mayor, she manages the day-to-day operations of city government, supervises multiple deputy mayors, and ensures alignment across agencies on major policy goals.

Sheena Wright Resigns

Sheena Wright resigned from her role as First Deputy Mayor of New York City in October 2024 amid mounting legal and political pressure on the Adams administration. Her departure came during a turbulent period marked by federal investigations into alleged misconduct involving top city officials, including Mayor Eric Adams himself. The immediate reason for her resignation was the intensifying federal probe into the administration’s fundraising practices and potential corruption. In September 2025, federal agents reportedly executed a search warrant at Wright’s residence and seized her phone as part of a broader investigation. In addition to stepping down from her City Hall post, Wright also resigned from the board of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Her exit from NYCHA occurred just before a controversial vote on a redevelopment project, which had drawn criticism from housing advocates and raised questions about transparency and governance (Information as per Fox 5 News).

How Tall is Sheena Wright?

Wright is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, equaling 1.68 meters.

Sheena Wright Net Worth

Wright’s estimated net worth is not publicly confirmed, but some online sources speculate it to be in the range of $1 million to $5 million. This estimate is based on her long-standing leadership roles in the nonprofit sector and her current position as First Deputy Mayor of New York City.

Social Media

Sheena Wright is gaining popularity on social media, where her accounts reflect a mix of professional updates, civic engagement, and personal interests. You can follow her on her Instagram account @sheenawrightnyc, where she has more than 2k followers. You can also follow her on her Twitter account, @SheenaWrightNYC, where she has more than 2.2k followers.