Mamdani announces 400-member transition team that features former officials from the Adams administration.

Zohran Mamdani has officially assembled his transition team, a significant move that signals his preparation for taking office as New York City’s next mayor on January 1. This newly established group consists of 400 members organized into 17 committees, reflecting a diverse array of backgrounds and expertise. Notably, the team includes several former officials from the administration of current Mayor Eric Adams, many of whom left their positions under various circumstances.

Prominent figures on Mamdani’s team include Meera Joshi, former Deputy Mayor; Laura Kavanagh, the ex-Commissioner of the Fire Department; and Hassan Naveed, who previously served as Adams’ chief of hate crimes before famously accusing the mayor of anti-Muslim bias following his dismissal. Additionally, Arva Rice, the former chair of the Civilian Complaint Review Board, also joins the transition team after being asked to resign by the Adams administration.

Mamdani’s transition team structure is markedly distinct from prior mayoral teams; Adams’ team comprised around 700 members, while Bill de Blasio’s was notably smaller at just 60. This significant expansion in team size highlights Mamdani’s ambition to impact city governance from the outset.

The members of Mamdani’s transition team, who serve on an unpaid basis, are tasked with a considerable responsibility as they sift through approximately 70,000 job applications to fill roles within his administration. Mamdani emphasized the opportunity he sees before him as rare, suggesting that it is a defining moment for creating a better New York City.

Noteworthy appointments include Kathy Wylde, CEO of the Partnership for New York City, who will contribute to the economic and workforce development committee. Yasser Salem, who previously supported Mamdani’s campaign, is also part of that committee. On the housing committee, Annemarie Gray, executive director of Open New York, underscored the importance of effective governance alongside visionary ideas in achieving success.

Mamdani’s committees for Community Safety and Youth and Education are heavily populated with advocates from various organizations, including VOCAL NY, Make the Road, We Build the Block, New York Appleseed, and New Yorkers for Racially Just Public Schools. Notably, Rodney Harrison, who was considered for the role of police commissioner, is also a member of the team.

In addition, Josh Wallack, known for architecting universal pre-K programs under de Blasio, and Grace Rauh, an advocate for child care, have joined the transition team. However, no members associated with rumored candidates for the position of public school chancellor appear on the team.

Previously, Mamdani’s transition chairs were announced as Maria Torres-Springer, former aide to Mayor Adams; Lina Khan, ex-Chair of the Federal Trade Commission; Grace Bonilla, CEO of United Way; and Melanie Hartzog, a former Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. The team also includes Elana Leopold, a former advisor from the de Blasio administration.

The formation of this transition team marks an important step for Mamdani, who aims to enact considerable change in New York City governance. As he prepares for his term, the strategic choices made in assembling his team underscore a commitment to both innovation and community engagement.