Veteran Managers and Progressive Voices Balance Youth with Experience in Historic Coalition
A Strategic Coalition of Experience and Vision
As Zohran Mamdani transitioned from mayor-elect to sitting mayor on New Year’s Day 2026, the composition of his cabinet revealed a deliberate strategy: pairing his administration’s progressive agenda with seasoned government operatives capable of managing the nation’s largest city. The transition team’s approach involved balancing progressive voices within the organization with pragmatic government veterans, creating an administration designed to deliver results while pursuing transformational change. Elle Bisgaard-Church, who served as Mamdani’s chief of staff in the State Assembly before managing his primary campaign, continues in the chief of staff role in the mayor’s office. Bisgaard-Church was instrumental in shaping core parts of Mamdani’s approach to governance, helping to develop New York City’s first free bus pilot and organizing the effort that won $450 million in relief for taxi workers.
First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan Brings Four Decades of Experience
Dean Fuleihan, appointed First Deputy Mayor, brings over 40 years of experience in city and state government, including service as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s budget director and later as first deputy mayor. At 74 years old, Fuleihan’s appointment was viewed as a strategic move that mollifies concerns about Mamdani’s inexperience while providing crucial Albany experience. Fuleihan’s influence will be substantial in overseeing implementation of the mayor’s agenda and managing relationships with state government. Given that many of Mamdani’s priorities require state legislative approval, his presence in the administration serves to ease concerns from business and establishment figures who questioned Mamdani’s readiness to manage a massive municipal bureaucracy with more than 300,000 employees and a $115 billion budget. Rep. Ritchie Torres praised Fuleihan as “battle tested” and noted that few people understand the workings of city and state government as deeply.
Education Leadership Under Kamar Samuels
Kamar Samuels was appointed schools chancellor, with his appointment representing Mamdani’s commitment to education reform centered on equity and opportunity. Samuels began his career nearly 20 years ago as a Bronx elementary school teacher, then rose through the ranks to become a principal and superintendent, earning recognition for successfully overseeing school mergers and improving literacy scores. Most recently, Samuels served as the Manhattan District 3 superintendent, where he oversaw a diverse student population and managed significant organizational changes. Samuels stated: “As someone who has spent nearly two decades in our classrooms, schools, and districts, I know that our students thrive when schools are fully funded, educators are supported, and systems are designed around equity and opportunity.” The schools chancellor position wields enormous influence over a system serving more than one million students and employing over 130,000 people. Despite previously expressing skepticism about mayoral control of schools, Mamdani committed to maintaining mayoral control of city schools as part of his administration, signaling that he will work within existing governance structures while reforming them to better serve students.
Transportation and Public Operations Leadership
Julia Kerson was appointed Deputy Mayor for Operations, overseeing critical city agencies including the Department of Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Sanitation, and Emergency Management. Her background includes work with the state administration managing housing, economic development, energy, and transportation, along with service on the city’s COVID-19 Response Team where she established a hotel program for healthcare workers. Michael Flynn was appointed Department of Transportation Commissioner in Mamdani’s first speech as mayor, announced at the midnight inauguration ceremony at Old City Hall Station. His role becomes particularly significant given Mamdani’s campaign commitment to making buses free and expanding the city’s bicycle lane network. Betsy Plum, the Riders Alliance executive director, praised both administrative picks for encouraging “more community engagement to improve safety and affordability with the transit system,” adding that the alliance is eager to work with a DOT that will deliver on “stalled projects” from the previous administration.
Legal and Human Services Leadership
Steve Banks was appointed Corporation Counsel, the city’s top legal officer, becoming the first legal aid lawyer ever nominated for the position. Banks served as Department of Social Services commissioner during the entire de Blasio administration from 2014 to 2021, bringing direct experience navigating complex social service policy alongside legal expertise. Jahmila Edwards was appointed Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, bringing union experience from District Council 37, the largest public employee union in New York City, combined with previous work at the Department of Education. This role becomes critical as Mamdani negotiates with state government for legislative support on key agenda items. Catherine Almonte Da Costa was appointed Director of Appointments, bringing talent acquisition expertise from her work as global head of equity and impact at Sotheby’s, indicating a focus on recruiting diverse talent for city government positions. Katherine Yeung was appointed to oversee the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, with experience as director of resiliency at the city Department of Transportation and as vice president of energy at the New York City Economic Development Corp. Dr. Jason Graham, the city’s chief medical examiner since 2022, retained his position in the Mamdani administration, indicating selective continuity in technical and professional roles where institutional knowledge remains valuable.
