All of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s cupboard appointments — and their controversial pasts



It’s a cupboard of comrades.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has taken his candy time filling out the best ranges of his administration — and lots of prime jobs stay unfilled.

The democratic socialist mayor’s picks to this point have been a stability of seasoned authorities veterans, left-wing activists and quite a lot of who examine each bins.

Listed here are notable hires for Mamdani’s lefty Metropolis Corridor.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch will stay as Mamdan’s prime cop. Robert Miller

Jessica Tisch

Esteemed NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s choice to remain on as prime cop — and Mamdani’s dedication to maintain her — helped soothe many fears over the socialist’s incoming administration.

Tisch, who was the fourth police commissioner to serve below outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, is broadly credited with main the nation’s largest police pressure out of multi-front disaster.

Crime has not solely ticked sharply downward since Tisch took over in 2024, however she additionally thinned the division’s ranks of doubtful officers elevated by Adams’ cronies.

Kamar Samuels will develop into the colleges chancellor for the NYC Division of Training (DOE). Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Kamar Samuels

Longtime educator Kamar Samuels might be faculties chancellor below Mamdani, taking on the biggest public faculty system within the nation.

Samuels as a superintendent on the Higher West Aspect had labored to dismantle Gifted & Gifted applications and sort out racial range — two priorities shared by Mamdani.

Lillian Bonsignore would be the FDNY commissioner after beforehand being the previous chief of EMS operations. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Lillian Bonsignore

Lillian Bonsignore would be the second girl to function the FDNY’s commissioner.

The previous chief of EMS operations is a extremely adorned retired FDNY veteran, however her appointment by Mamdani was met by grumbling from some firefighters.

Mike Flynn will develop into the transportation commissioner and plans to overtake public transportation, together with implementing Mamdani’s free bus plan. AP

Mike Flynn

Mike Flynn will function town’s transportation commissioner as Mamdani goals to overtake public transportation within the metropolis by making buses free.

He boasts a decade of expertise within the Division of Transportation earlier than he jumped ship to work at a consulting agency.

Dean Fuleihan might be Mamdani’s right-hand man as first deputy mayor. Derek French/SOPA Photos/Shutterstock

Dean Fuleihan

Dean Fuleihan, a veteran metropolis and state governmental insider, will function Mamdani’s right-hand below the title first deputy mayor.

The place places Fuleihan again into Metropolis Corridor, the place he beforehand served as Invoice de Blasio’s finances director and first deputy mayor.

He presided over ballooning budgets, however typically carries a popularity as seasoned and pragmatic political hand that would sand off the inexperienced Mamdani’s tough edges.

Ellie Bisgaard-Church might be Mamdani’s chief of workers, the place she additionally held that place in his state Meeting workplace. Lev Radin/Shutterstock

Elle Bisgaard-Church

Mamdani’s left-hand girl Elle Bisgaard-Church, a Democratic Socialists of America true believer, will function his chief of workers, a place she held in his state Meeting workplace.

Bisgaard-Church’s significance to Mamdani is proven by the truth that she was one among his first two appointments, together with Fuleihan.

Julie Su would be the deputy mayor for financial justice after beforehand serving as a cupboard official below President Joe Biden. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Julie Su

Julie Su, a controversial cupboard official below President Joe Biden, was tapped to function Mamdani’s deputy mayor for financial justice — a newly created submit squarely within the incoming mayor’s lefty wheelhouse.

Earlier than gaining Mamdani’s vote of confidence, Su was arguably final greatest identified for failing to get a full affirmation from Congress as Biden’s labor secretary over her progressive views.

She additionally presided over widespread fraud throughout her stint as California’s labor secretary.

Sherif Soliman would be the director of the Mayor’s Workplace of Administration and Finances after working below the de Blasio and Adams administrations. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Sherif Soliman

A key architect of congestion pricing — Sherif Soliman — goes to function director of the Mayor’s Workplace of Administration and Finances below Mamdani.

Soliman had served below each Mayor Invoice de Blasio and Adams, in addition to a board that laid the inspiration for congestion pricing tolls to drive in Decrease Manhattan.

Steven Banks has been tapped as the pinnacle of town’s Legislation Division with the title of company counsel. Robert Mecea

Steven Banks

Steven Banks, a self-described “social justice lawyer,” has been tapped to move town’s Legislation Division as company counsel.

Banks beforehand served as de Blasio’s homeless providers director earlier than returning to his roots as a authorized thorn in Metropolis Corridor’s aspect, battling Adams in court docket as the previous mayor tried to roll again “proper to shelter” guidelines in the course of the migrant disaster.

Ramzi Kasseem might be Mamdani’s chief counsel, who as soon as defended an al-Qaeda member together with Columbia College anti-Israel chief, Mahmoud Khalil. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Ramzi Kassem

A lawyer who as soon as defended an al-Qaeda member will function Mamdani’s chief counsel, maybe a very powerful advisory position within the mayor’s workplace.

Ramzi Kassem’s appointment raised eyebrows given his controversial authorized work, which additionally included defending Columbia College anti-Israel chief Mahmoud Khalil.

The Metropolis College of New York legislation professor had additionally served as a senior coverage adviser below Biden.

Tascha Van Auken will run the newly created Workplace of Mass Engagement, which can assist out New Yorkers, neighborhood teams, and faith-based organizations. c-span

Tascha Van Auken

Tascha Van Auken, a Democratic Socialists of America organizer behind the Mamdani marketing campaign’s volunteer area operation, is bringing her abilities to Metropolis Corridor.

Mamdani tapped Van Auken to move the newly created Workplace of Mass Engagement, envisioned to assist mobilize New Yorkers, neighborhood teams and faith-based organizations.

Cea Weaver would be the head of the Mayor’s Workplace to Shield Tenants. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Cea Weaver

Left-wing activist Cea Weaver was appointed to move a revived Mayor’s Workplace to Shield Tenants.

Weaver had known as for a lease freeze in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, pushed tenant strikes and championed an eviction ban.

Leila Bozorg will function deputy mayor for housing and planning after having a key position in former Mayor Eric Adams’ “Metropolis of Sure” housing initiative. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Leila Bozorg

A key participant in Adams’ “Metropolis of Sure” housing initiative is staying on, with a watch towards delivering its guarantees of extra reasonably priced houses.

Leila Bozorg has been tapped to function deputy mayor for housing and planning.

Jahmila Edwards has been appointed as director of intergovernmental affairs, after beforehand serving within the de Blasio administration. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Jahmila Edwards

Jahmila Edwards, one other de Blasio administration vet and chief within the highly effective DC37 union, will function director of intergovernmental affairs.

She’ll take the lead for drumming up essential assist for Mamdani’s socialist agenda amongst metropolis, state and federal pols.

Julia Kerson will function Mamdani’s deputy mayor of operations after working below former Mayor Invoice de Blasio and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Julia Kerson

Julia Kerson is returning to Metropolis Corridor, the place she’ll function Mamdani’s deputy mayor of operations.

Kerson had served below de Blasio and Gov. Kathy Hochul, in addition to labored for the MTA.

Mitchell Katz will retain his position main NYC Well being + Hospitals after being concerned within the de Blasio and Adams administrations. Paul Martinka

Mitchell Katz

A well-known face from each de Blasio’s and Adams’ administration, Mitchell Katz possible will maintain his job main NYC Well being + Hospitals.

Katz helped lead town’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jason Graham may even keep because the chief medical expert. James Messerschmidt for NY Publish

Jason Graham

Mamdani additionally moved to maintain Jason Graham as chief medical expert.

Graham’s work investigating overdose deaths was highlighted by Mamdani’s workforce as they introduced he’d keep on.

Sam Levine has been tapped to be the most recent commissioner of Shopper and Employee Safety. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Sam Levine

Sam Levine might be commissioner of Shopper and Employee Safety.

He’s an alumnus of former President Joe Biden’s administration, the place he served as director of the Federal Commerce Fee’s Bureau of Shopper Safety.

Ali Najmi might be chair for the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. AP

Ali Najmi

Civil rights lawyer Ali Najmi is main a revamped group that appoints native judges.

Najmi might be chair for the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.

Ahmed Tigani would be the metropolis’s buildings commissioner after having earlier expertise with the de Blasio and Adams administrations. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Ahmed Tigani

Ahmed Tigani, a veteran of each de Blasio’s and Adams’ Metropolis Halls, will function town’s buildings commissioner.

Tigani had served as performing commissioner for town’s Housing Preservation & Growth company below Adams.

Louise Yueng will function chief local weather officer after working for former metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Louise Yueng

The town’s battle in opposition to local weather change has a brand new chief.

Louise Yeung, who labored for former metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander after a stint within the Division of Transportation, was appointed by Mamdani to function chief local weather officer.

Emily Liss will head the workplace of childcare. Instagram / Zohran Mamdani

Emily Liss

One other veteran of de Blasio’s administration — Emily Liss — was tapped by Mamdani to move the workplace of childcare.

Just a few predecessor hires that may keep on embrace Zach Iscol, who’s town’s emergency administration commissioner all through the winter. Stephen Yang for the NY Publish

Interim appointees and holdovers

Regardless of working to reverse lots of Adams’ strikes, Mamdani has stored a number of of his predecessor’s hires.

Zach Iscol, town’s emergency administration commissioner, and Division of Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan will keep of their positions on an interim foundation by means of the winter storm season.

Likewise, Chief Enterprise Variety Officer Michael Garner and Chief Administrative Officer Mir Bashar will keep of their jobs.

Division of Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan may even keep put all through the winter season. Robert Miller
Chief Enterprise Variety Officer Michael Garner additionally had his position retained. Stephen Yang
Chief Administrative Officer Mir Bashar may even keep put in his position in the intervening time. Fb / Mir Bashar

Already gone

Catherine Almonte Da Costa, an early Mamdani rent to be tasked with making appointments for his administration, flamed out after in the future.

Early Mamdani appointee Catherine Almonte Da Costa resigned final month, after on-line posts exhibiting a number of antisemitic feedback being resurfaced, together with ranting about “cash hungry Jews” and defunding NYPD “piggies.” Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com

She resigned after unearthed on-line posts confirmed a sequence of antisemitic feedback on-line — together with rants about “cash hungry Jews” and defunding NYPD “piggies.”



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