NEW YORK CITY-Jennifer Falk, executive director of the Union Square Partnership, started her career working for the City of New York, and has returned to her roots, albeit in a different capacity. She has been instrumental in developing and enhancing the now-popular Union Square park here, and watching more companies come to the area and take advantage of the restaurants, community and nightlife. Falk firmly believes in collaboration; it's clear how and why she reached her current position.

Globest: How did you become executive director of the Union Square Partnership in terms of your overall career?

It's funny how things come full circle. In high school, I interned with Councilwoman Ronnie Eldridge where I was tasked with going door-to-door surveying small business owners on the Upper West Side about conditions in the neighborhood and the challenges they faced. After college, I went to work for the City of New York - first as press secretary at the Administration for Children's Services, and then in the Mayor's Press Office as deputy press secretary. At the Mayor's Office, I was able to explore my interest in economic development, and in doing so, I became familiar with the expansive reach of the City's business improvement district network. As a native New Yorker, it was an honor to be offered a position at the Union Square Partnership representing one of my favorite neighborhoods. Who knew back in high school that one of my responsibilities years later would be to provide services - and conduct surveys - to support the district's small business community?