It’s a cabinet of comrades.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has taken his sweet time filling out the highest levels of his administration — and many top jobs remain unfilled.
The democratic socialist mayor’s picks so far have been a balance of seasoned government veterans, left-wing activists and more than a few who check both boxes.
Here are notable hires for Mamdani’s lefty City Hall.
Jessica Tisch
Esteemed NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s decision to stay on as top cop — and Mamdani’s commitment to keep her — helped soothe many fears over the socialist’s incoming administration.
Tisch, who was the fourth police commissioner to serve under outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, is widely credited with leading the nation’s largest police force out of multi-front crisis.
Crime has not only ticked sharply downward since Tisch took over in 2024, but she also thinned the department’s ranks of dubious officials elevated by Adams’ cronies.
Kamar Samuels
Longtime educator Kamar Samuels will be schools chancellor under Mamdani, taking over the largest public school system in the nation.
Samuels as a superintendent on the Upper West Side had worked to dismantle Gifted & Talented programs and tackle racial diversity — two priorities shared by Mamdani.
Lillian Bonsignore
Lillian Bonsignore will be the second woman to serve as the FDNY’s commissioner.
The former chief of EMS operations is a highly decorated retired FDNY veteran, but her appointment by Mamdani was met by grumbling from some firefighters.
Mike Flynn
Mike Flynn will serve as the city’s transportation commissioner as Mamdani aims to overhaul public transportation in the city by making buses free.
He boasts a decade of experience in the Department of Transportation before he jumped ship to work at a consulting firm.
Dean Fuleihan
Dean Fuleihan, a veteran city and state governmental insider, will serve as Mamdani’s right-hand under the title first deputy mayor.
The position puts Fuleihan back into City Hall, where he previously served as Bill de Blasio’s budget director and first deputy mayor.
He presided over ballooning budgets, but generally carries a reputation as seasoned and pragmatic political hand that could sand off the inexperienced Mamdani’s rough edges.
Elle Bisgaard-Church
Mamdani’s left-hand woman Elle Bisgaard-Church, a Democratic Socialists of America true believer, will serve as his chief of staff, a position she held in his state Assembly office.
Bisgaard-Church’s importance to Mamdani is shown by the fact that she was one of his first two appointments, along with Fuleihan.
Julie Su
Julie Su, a controversial cabinet official under President Joe Biden, was tapped to serve as Mamdani’s deputy mayor for economic justice — a newly created post squarely in the incoming mayor’s lefty wheelhouse.
Before gaining Mamdani’s vote of confidence, Su was arguably last best known for failing to get a full confirmation from Congress as Biden’s labor secretary over her progressive views.
She also presided over widespread fraud during her stint as California’s labor secretary.
Sherif Soliman
A key architect of congestion pricing — Sherif Soliman — is going to serve as director of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget under Mamdani.
Soliman had served under both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Adams, as well as a board that laid the foundation for congestion pricing tolls to drive in Lower Manhattan.
Steven Banks
Steven Banks, a self-described “social justice attorney,” has been tapped to head the city’s Law Department as corporation counsel.
Banks previously served as de Blasio’s homeless services director before returning to his roots as a legal thorn in City Hall’s side, battling Adams in court as the former mayor tried to roll back “right to shelter” rules during the migrant crisis.
Ramzi Kassem
A lawyer who once defended an al-Qaeda member will serve as Mamdani’s chief counsel, perhaps the most important advisory role in the mayor’s office.
Ramzi Kassem’s appointment raised eyebrows given his controversial legal work, which also included defending Columbia University anti-Israel leader Mahmoud Khalil.
The City University of New York law professor had also served as a senior policy adviser under Biden.
Tascha Van Auken
Tascha Van Auken, a Democratic Socialists of America organizer behind the Mamdani campaign’s volunteer field operation, is bringing her skills to City Hall.
Mamdani tapped Van Auken to head the newly created Office of Mass Engagement, envisioned to help mobilize New Yorkers, community groups and faith-based organizations.
Cea Weaver
Left-wing activist Cea Weaver was appointed to head a revived Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.
Weaver had called for a rent freeze during the COVID-19 pandemic, pushed tenant strikes and championed an eviction ban.
Leila Bozorg
A key player in Adams’ “City of Yes” housing initiative is staying on, with an eye toward delivering its promises of more affordable homes.
Leila Bozorg has been tapped to serve as deputy mayor for housing and planning.
Jahmila Edwards
Jahmila Edwards, another de Blasio administration vet and leader in the powerful DC37 union, will serve as director of intergovernmental affairs.
She’ll take the lead for drumming up crucial support for Mamdani’s socialist agenda among city, state and federal pols.
Julia Kerson
Julia Kerson is returning to City Hall, where she’ll serve as Mamdani’s deputy mayor of operations.
Kerson had served under de Blasio and Gov. Kathy Hochul, as well as worked for the MTA.
Mitchell Katz
A familiar face from both de Blasio’s and Adams’ administration, Mitchell Katz likely will keep his job leading NYC Health + Hospitals.
Katz helped lead the city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Jason Graham
Mamdani also moved to keep Jason Graham as chief medical examiner.
Graham’s work investigating overdose deaths was highlighted by Mamdani’s team as they announced he’d stay on.
Sam Levine
Sam Levine will be commissioner of Consumer and Worker Protection.
He’s an alumnus of former President Joe Biden’s administration, where he served as director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Ali Najmi
Civil rights attorney Ali Najmi is leading a revamped group that appoints local judges.
Najmi will be chair for the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.
Ahmed Tigani
Ahmed Tigani, a veteran of both de Blasio’s and Adams’ City Halls, will serve as the city’s buildings commissioner.
Tigani had served as acting commissioner for the city’s Housing Preservation & Development agency under Adams.
Louise Yueng
The city’s fight against climate change has a new leader.
Louise Yeung, who worked for former city Comptroller Brad Lander after a stint in the Department of Transportation, was appointed by Mamdani to serve as chief climate officer.
Emily Liss
Another veteran of de Blasio’s administration — Emily Liss — was tapped by Mamdani to head the office of childcare.
Interim appointees and holdovers
Despite working to reverse many of Adams’ moves, Mamdani has kept several of his predecessor’s hires.
Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management commissioner, and Department of Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan will stay in their positions on an interim basis through the winter storm season.
Likewise, Chief Business Diversity Officer Michael Garner and Chief Administrative Officer Mir Bashar will stay in their jobs.
Already gone
Catherine Almonte Da Costa, an early Mamdani hire to be tasked with making appointments for his administration, flamed out after one day.
She resigned after unearthed online posts showed a series of antisemitic comments online — including rants about “money hungry Jews” and defunding NYPD “piggies.”
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