New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced an all-female team of co-chairs for his transition team, a move that highlights his commitment to gender representation in leadership. The team includes notable figures such as former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, former first deputy mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Grace Bonilla, head of the United Way of New York City, former deputy mayor for health and human services Melanie Hartzog, and political consultant Elana Leopold.
This announcement, made on Wednesday, underscores Mamdani’s intention to tackle economic inequality. Khan, known for her aggressive antitrust policies during her tenure at the FTC under President Joe Biden, aligns with Mamdani’s vision of addressing the “oligarchy” and advocating for tax increases on the wealthy to fund initiatives aimed at lowering the cost of living. Mamdani will officially assume office on January 1, 2024.
Mamdani expressed enthusiasm for his diverse transition team and indicated that he would unveil additional leaders who will support his agenda. “Some of these people will have familiar names, others will not,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of including voices from various sectors, saying, “We will cast a wide net,” and aimed to engage with “organizers on the front lines” of city governance, experienced veterans, and policy experts from both national and international backgrounds.
In a call to action, Mamdani urged his supporters to resume donations to fund a transition that meets the urgent needs of the city. “There were a few months ago where I told supporters across the city to stop donating, and today I am asking them to start once again,” he explained. He highlighted that the transition team would require adequate funding for staff, research, and infrastructure, all of which would be sourced from the very people who helped secure his victory: the working individuals who have felt marginalized by past political decisions.
On a broader political note, Mamdani mentioned that the White House had not reached out to him following his election. Nevertheless, he expressed openness to a dialogue with President Donald Trump, who has previously criticized him as a “communist” and threatened to withdraw federal funding from New York City. “I look forward to having those conversations and to making clear that if there is ever anything to be spoken about that could benefit the people of the city, I am ready and willing to speak to anyone about it,” he said.
Mamdani’s transition phase is set to pave the way for the policies he intends to implement during his tenure, focusing on addressing the pressing issues faced by New Yorkers. His selection of a predominantly female team is a significant step in promoting inclusivity and diversity in the city’s political landscape.
