Urban Resource Institute Welcomes Samantha Cardenas as Senior Director of Government Affairs
NEW YORK, NY (October 2, 2025) – Urban Resource Institute (URI), the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services and a leading advocate for families experiencing homelessness, proudly announces the appointment of Samantha Cardenas as Senior Director of Government Affairs.
Reporting directly to Lauren Schuster, Vice President of Government Affairs, Cardenas will help lead URI’s strategic advocacy agenda at the city, state, and federal levels. She will work to ensure that URI’s mission and priorities are known among policymakers and government stakeholders, while driving initiatives to expand resources, strengthen protections, and champion the needs of survivors and families facing housing insecurity.
“Samantha brings a unique blend of strategic insight, community-centered leadership, and deep commitment to justice,” said Schuster. “Her experience in government, advocacy, and grassroots organizing makes her a tremendous asset to URI as we advance policies that address violence, poverty, and homelessness at their roots. I am thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
Cardenas is a seasoned leader whose career spans grassroots organizing, campaign management, and senior roles in New York City government. She most recently served as Chief of Staff to the Chair of Housing and Buildings in the NYC Council, where she led district and legislative teams, secured significant budget wins, and championed community engagement efforts. A first-generation college graduate and proud Chicana, she has also consulted for the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance, mentoring emerging leaders across NYC and NYS. In 2024, she was referred to as a “force of nature” for her transformative role in engaging thousands of New Yorkers in the “Together for Kingsbridge” and “Reimagining the Cross Bronx Expressway initiatives, securing over $220 million in city and state funding while uplifting thousands of families in the West Bronx.
“What drew me to URI is their unapologetic commitment to collective healing and transforming trauma into joy. I am honored to join URI, connecting policy to lived experiences and advocating for trauma informed care and housing equity.” said Cardenas. “URI’s work is deeply personal. We must ensure survivors and their families are centered in policy decisions because those closest to the problem are often closest to the solution. I look forward to contributing to URI’s legacy of impact and helping to create systemic change for generations to come.”
At URI, Cardenas will lead efforts in legislative tracking, policy development, capital fundraising, and government stakeholder engagement. She will represent URI at hearings, coalition meetings, and community events while working closely with colleagues across departments to align advocacy with programmatic goals.
Cardenas holds a BA in International Relations with a focus on Intercultural Communication from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, was a 2024 Council of Urban Professionals Fellow and a CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance 2022 Kriegel Public Service Fellow.
