BREAKING: New York City’s incoming Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has just announced the appointment of Sherif Soliman as the new director of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. This vital role will help shape the city’s financial future as the administration focuses on affordability for all New Yorkers.
The announcement, made on Thursday, marks a significant move for the administration as it prepares to tackle pressing budgetary challenges. Soliman, a Staten Island native who grew up in New Springville and graduated from Port Richmond High School, brings nearly three decades of public service experience to the position.
“A successful administration must have a budget that reflects the needs of working New Yorkers,” said Mamdani. “Sherif Soliman is a skilled negotiator and dedicated public servant whose leadership of the Office of Management and Budget will ensure our administration fulfills our affordability agenda.”
Soliman’s extensive background includes roles such as chief of staff to former Assemblyman Eric Vitaliano, and leadership positions within the New York State Legislative Affairs team. His experience extends to directing communications at the New York City Employees’ Retirement System and serving as chief of staff for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Operations.
In a pivotal moment in his career, Soliman was appointed as the Department of Finance Commissioner by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in late 2020. He later served as the director of Mayor Eric Adams’ Office of Policy and Planning. Most recently, Soliman has been the senior vice chancellor and chief financial officer at the City University of New York (CUNY), where he achieved a remarkable 77% reduction in the structural deficit and secured hundreds of millions of dollars for CUNY labor contracts in the state budget.
“I am humbled by the trust Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has placed in me to take on this important role,” Soliman stated. “Budgets reflect the values of an administration — they are about innovation and excellence in government. I look forward to the work ahead in building a budget that delivers real wins for working New Yorkers.”
Soliman also serves on the MTA Board, a position he was nominated for by Mayor Adams in May 2022. His wealth of experience and commitment to public service positions him as a crucial player in addressing the financial needs of the city.
As New York City faces unprecedented challenges, the appointment of Soliman signals a proactive approach to fiscal management. The Mamdani administration is expected to prioritize the voices of everyday New Yorkers in budget discussions.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and learn how Soliman’s leadership will impact NYC’s future financial landscape.
