In this special episode made by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU Undergraduate Student Eleni Parpounas speaks with Eric Brettschneider, the former Commissioner for the NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS). They discuss his illustrious career, the importance of serving and giving voice to all, and how to learn about the needs of your community no matter where you work.

Eric Brettschneider has spent the last 55 years in child welfare, human services and community building. He has taught at Hunter School of Social Work,Fordham School of Social work and served as an adjunct at Met Studies and Gallatin for over 25 years. He retired as First Dep commissioner at ACS two years ago. Over the years he has led Agenta For Children Tomorrow, the Queens Spcc, and chaired the first Jump Start Board the New Yorkers for Children Board and The Viola Bernard Foundation Board. He has a Colgate BA, and an MA from the New School and JD from Hofstra. He serves as an Advisor to The Doris Duke Foundation. He is the father of two children and grandfather of 3.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email ⁠[email protected]⁠.