What does artificial intelligence have to do with a neighborhood bakery, a barbershop, or a mom-and-pop hardware store?
At this year’s Washington Heights & Inwood Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast—one of the area’s largest and most influential gatherings of business and civic leaders—¶¶Ňőapp University helped answer that question with real-world tech, local insight, and a commitment to community growth.
Jon Greenfield, YU’s Assistant Vice President for Government Relations and Vice President of the Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce, helped organize and emcee the event. A longtime Chamber board member, Greenfield has helped represent YU in local business conversations and support the University’s engagement with the broader community.
Held on May 8 at the Alianza Cultural Center, the standing-room-only breakfast brought together over 120 local business owners, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials for a morning of networking, shared learning, and vision-building.
Among the featured presenters was Dr. Danielle Wozniak, YU’s Vice President for Global Strategy & Business Development, who showcased how small businesses can use AI tools to streamline operations, connect with more customers, and compete in a changing economy.
To make the point, she introduced a Spanish-speaking avatar developed by YU Global’s AI team—demonstrating how generative technology can break down language barriers and offer personalized service, even for businesses without big budgets.
Wozniak also shared a curated resource list of AI tools tailored for small businesses and announced a discounted online course from YU Global available through the Chamber—an initiative aimed at making innovation accessible and actionable for local entrepreneurs.
The presentation generated strong interest, especially among bilingual businesses, with several attendees following up afterward to ask about the avatar and other tools available through YU Global.
Greenfield emphasized YU’s long-standing connection to the neighborhood. “¶¶Ňőapp University has been part of Washington Heights for more than a century,” he said. “We’re proud to support the community’s growth—through innovation, through partnership, and through showing up.”
The event included a tribute to the late Peter Walsh, longtime Chamber board member and owner of Coogan’s, a beloved Washington Heights bar and community anchor. Walsh, who passed away in April, was remembered by colleagues and local leaders for his lasting impact on the neighborhood.
As Washington Heights continues to evolve, ¶¶Ňőapp University remains committed to supporting its neighbors—not only as an anchor institution, but as an engaged, collaborative partner in the life of the community.
