When Aparna Yenamandra talks about her work, she starts with gratitude. “My parents ingrained in me that they moved to a country with opportunity—and you owe that back. To whom much is given, much is expected.” That philosophy has guided her from her early days at law school to her current role as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where she is recognized as one of the nation’s leading corporate restructuring attorneys. It’s also why CitizensNYC is proud to recognize her as a 2026 New Yorker for New York honoree.
For Aparna, restructuring isn’t about balance sheets. It’s about people. “You see the owners, the employees, the communities served by the companies you’re saving,” she says. The work demands calm under pressure and a clear sense of purpose, qualities that also define her approach to community. She sees the same resilience that drives her clients mirrored in the neighborhoods CitizensNYC supports: people doing extraordinary things with limited resources, holding their communities together through creativity and grit.
That connection came into sharp focus during a recent CitizensNYC site visit, where she met a grantee singlehandedly revitalizing a large public park. “What struck me most was how much they built with so little,” she recalls. “It reminded me of my parents; how much they accomplished with limited means, through hard work and determination.” Watching the grantee transform the space into a vibrant intersection of communities, she says, was “a reminder of what you can do with dedication and passion.”
It’s that belief in resourcefulness and in the power of local leadership that makes CitizensNYC’s model resonate so deeply with her. “These grantees know exactly what their communities need. They just need support and trust,” Aparna says. “That’s what CitizensNYC provides: the tools to turn vision into action.”
As a mentor, Aparna brings the same philosophy to her colleagues and the next generation of women in law. She distinguishes between mentors, those who offer advice and perspective, and sponsors, who advocate for you in rooms where you’re not present. “Having someone who both protects you and pushes you to grow can change everything,” she explains. Now, she makes it a priority to be that advocate for others, especially for young women finding their place in high-pressure environments.
Aparna believes mentorship is also a bridge between sectors. Beyond financial contributions, she sees enormous potential for professionals in law and finance to support grassroots work through volunteering, labor, and exposure. “There are so many ways to get involved in this city,” she says. “For youth-focused organizations especially, bringing students into our industries, showing them what’s possible, is incredibly meaningful.” It’s an idea she hopes to expand on through future partnerships with the network of Youth Leadership Councils that receive support from CitizensNYC.
When asked what gives her hope for New York’s future, Aparna doesn’t hesitate. “On a macro level, the problems might be severe. But on a micro level, this city is full of good people. People working hard for their families and for each other.” She points to her experience interviewing New York City high school students through a college access program as a constant reminder. “You see how driven they are, how much their parents sacrifice for them, and how deeply they understand the responsibility to give back. That’s what keeps me inspired.”
For Aparna, being All In for New York City means honoring that spirit of courage, gratitude, and community. “New Yorkers face challenges every day,” she says, “but they show up for each other. That’s what makes this city special.”
Her favorite corner of the city? The Upper East Side: “lame,” she admits, “but home.” Favorite subway line? The Q. Favorite restaurant? The Georgian gem Chama Mama. All quintessentially New York: bold, diverse, full of life.
CitizensNYC is proud to honor Aparna Yenamandra not just for her extraordinary career, but for the values she embodies: opportunity, empathy, and the belief that real stability starts when people invest in one another.
