New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced an all-women team to lead his official transition effort on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old named a slate of transition advisers who have worked in the administrations of former mayors Eric Adams, Bill de Blasio, and Michael Bloomberg. They include former city and federal officials, nonprofit executives, and veterans of City Hall.
“I and my team will build a City Hall capable of delivering on the promises of this campaign,” the mayor-elect said at a news conference at the Unisphere in Queens, vowing that his administration will “work every day to honor the trust that I now hold.”
Progressive political strategist Elana Leopold, a longtime de Blasio aide and senior adviser to the Mamdani campaign, will serve as the transition’s executive director. Former First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, United Way of New York City President Grace Bonilla, and city budget expert Melanie Hartzog will all serve as his transition co-chairs.
Read more: The Billionaires Who Failed to Stop Zohran Mamdani, and How Much They Spent
Mamdani’s announcement did not include any new top administrative appointments but reaffirmed his intention to retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Tisch, originally appointed by former Mayor Adams, has not publicly stated whether she will remain in the role, but Mamdani’s aides maintain confidence that she will.
The transition team is tasked with ensuring the mayor-elect has a smooth path ahead from Election Day to the inauguration in January. Mamdani’s team draws from across social services, finance, city budgeting, and housing development.
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