Tenth annual ‘Age Disruptors’ celebration awards 2025 50 Over 50 honorees

At the age of 70, Larry Silverstein, the founder and chairman of Silverstein Properties, fulfilled his lifelong dream of buying New York City’s tallest buildings, the twin towers. It was supposed to be his final big project before taking more time to spend with family.

Just seven weeks later, the towers were demolished and almost 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Then-Gov. George Pataki called Silverstein to ask what he was going to do next. The developer didn’t yet know, so he consulted with his wife of 45 years, Klara, who knew he’d never be happy just giving up. The next morning, Silverstein told Pataki he didn’t know how long it would take or what it would look like, but that he planned to rebuild.

Now, 24 years later at the age of 93, Silverstein still works from his office daily, not losing steam. His story illustrates that age is not a hindrance, but an asset that brings with it experience and perspective.

That’s why Silverstein, along with 49 other successful New Yorkers, were honored at the 10th annual “50 Over 50: Celebrating New York’s Age Disruptors” awards ceremony, organized by City & State and held at the 3 West Club in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday. The event coincided with the publication of the “2025 50 Over 50” power list.

“For some of us, 50 is in the rearview mirror, way back, and for some of us, we just got over that line,” Rev. Jacques Andre DeGraff of One Hundred Black Men of New York, who acted as emcee, said. “But either way, it’s a line . . . You are the people who make a difference.”

Beth Finkel, state director of AARP NY, one of the event’s platinum sponsors, said the power list was originally going to be for those 65 and older, but she had suggested 50 and older because age discrimination starts earlier than 65. Ten years later, the 50 Over 50 list is still going strong.

“I want to ask you something,” Finkel proposed in her remarks at the event. “The next time you hear a joke about ageism, the next time you think that someone’s being slighted, the next time you just get an inkling of it, say something. Please, say something.”

The awarding kicked off with Silverstein’s lifetime achievement award, which was accepted on his behalf as he could not attend due to an injured ankle. This was followed by the presentation of four ICON awards and, finally, by the general age disruptors awards.

Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health, the event’s other platinum sponsor, was the first ICON recipient for his work overseeing the state’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, and for his handling of social determinants of health and the pandemic.

“We’re so lucky to be in the world, to be in New York, to be in the United States, to be able to have the opportunity in our various roles to make life better for other people,” he told attendees. “That’s a special obligation and a special responsibility. It’s something we should take very, very, very seriously.”

Another ICON recipient was Kasirer LLC President Suri Kasirer, who was introduced as a “make-it-happen lobbyist.” She has worked on a range of projects including the Climate Exchange and the Waldorf.

“This journey has been more than a career,” she said. “It’s been a calling to make a difference in the city I love.”

Asian American Foundation Executive Director Jo-Ann Yoo also received an ICON award for her dedication to and advocacy for the pan-Asian community in the city.

“Obviously we are living in a noisy and scary world, and sometimes I get scared and feel like my hair was on fire like this afternoon, but now more than ever, we have to work together to make sure that we protect our communities most vulnerable and ensure that everyone thrives,” she said.

And an ICON award went to Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System Joseph Zayas. He said he believed he was the first state judge to receive the award from City & State.

“Myself aside, it is really a good sign that someone from the third branch of government, the judiciary –  which seeks to dispense justice fairly and efficiently every day – is receiving such a public facing award,” he said during his acceptance speech. “I hope that my receipt of this award tonight will include increased public confidence in our court system, which is in decrease these days.”

The event was sponsored by Sciame at the gold level, Cathay Bank and Wolf Haldenstein at the silver level and 10 other organizations at the bronze level.