Zohran Mamdani hasn't wasted any time in lining up a new team of progressive policymakers on his first day as mayor of New York City.
Brooke Anderson
Washington, DC
01 January, 2026
THE NEW ARAB
Mamdani announced a series of political appointments just before his inauguration [Getty]
Newly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hasn't wasted any time in lining up a new team of progressive policymakers on his first day as mayor of New York City.
In his first speech at the Old City Hall subway station after becoming mayor in the early hours of the first day of 2026, he appointed Mike Flynn as his new Department of Transportation commissioner.
He described the historic station as “a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city.”
Two days earlier, at Elmhurst Hospital in the borough of Queens, he held a press conference, where he introduced new appointments for his healthcare and legal team.
These include Ramzi Kassem from City University of New York, appointed as general counsel. In a short speech, Kassem described New York City as his first stable home after spending his childhood living in conflict zones.
In another appointment, Mamdani name Steven Banks, former head of the Legal Aid Society, as the city’s Corporation Counsel
At the same press conference, he tapped Helen Arteaga, who had been serving as CEO of Elmhurst Hospital, to be Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. She was the hospital’s first Latina CEO and oversaw care during the Covid-19 pandemic. She described her position as the safety net that New Yorkers rely on.
On his website, Mamdani lists the leaders of his transition team, along with their biographies.
Grace Bonilla is serving as transition co-chair. She has until now been the head of United Way, assisting low-income New Yorkers.
His second listed transition co-chair is Lina Khan. She is something of a rock star in American left-wing politics.While serving as Federal Trade Commission Chair under former President Joe Biden, Khan regularly gave late-night TV interviews on consumer protection and anti-trust law and was greeted with standing ovations.
His third listed transition co-chair is Maria Torres-Springer. Most recently, she has served as First Deputy Mayor in City Hall. Her professional background is in housing advocacy.
His fourth co-chair listed is Melanie Hartzog, who has until now been working as president and CEO of the New York Foundling, advocating for families in need.
The transition executive director is Elana Leopold, who has been serving as a senior advisor for Mamdani’s campaign. She previously held senior roles in former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.
Dean Fuleihan is starting his tenure as First Deputy Mayor. The son of Lebanese immigrants, Fuleihan brings experience in overseeing New York budgets, having spent over 30 in state politics.
Elle Bisgaard-Church is serving as Mamdani’s chief of staff. She has played a major role in Mamdani’s transportation initiatives and his affordability agenda.
On the website, there are hundreds of new positions and names listed in housing, legal affairs, housing, education, technology and social services.
Mamdani announced a series of political appointments just before his inauguration [Getty]
Newly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hasn't wasted any time in lining up a new team of progressive policymakers on his first day as mayor of New York City.
In his first speech at the Old City Hall subway station after becoming mayor in the early hours of the first day of 2026, he appointed Mike Flynn as his new Department of Transportation commissioner.
He described the historic station as “a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city.”
Two days earlier, at Elmhurst Hospital in the borough of Queens, he held a press conference, where he introduced new appointments for his healthcare and legal team.
These include Ramzi Kassem from City University of New York, appointed as general counsel. In a short speech, Kassem described New York City as his first stable home after spending his childhood living in conflict zones.
In another appointment, Mamdani name Steven Banks, former head of the Legal Aid Society, as the city’s Corporation Counsel
At the same press conference, he tapped Helen Arteaga, who had been serving as CEO of Elmhurst Hospital, to be Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. She was the hospital’s first Latina CEO and oversaw care during the Covid-19 pandemic. She described her position as the safety net that New Yorkers rely on.
On his website, Mamdani lists the leaders of his transition team, along with their biographies.
Grace Bonilla is serving as transition co-chair. She has until now been the head of United Way, assisting low-income New Yorkers.
His second listed transition co-chair is Lina Khan. She is something of a rock star in American left-wing politics.While serving as Federal Trade Commission Chair under former President Joe Biden, Khan regularly gave late-night TV interviews on consumer protection and anti-trust law and was greeted with standing ovations.
His third listed transition co-chair is Maria Torres-Springer. Most recently, she has served as First Deputy Mayor in City Hall. Her professional background is in housing advocacy.
His fourth co-chair listed is Melanie Hartzog, who has until now been working as president and CEO of the New York Foundling, advocating for families in need.
The transition executive director is Elana Leopold, who has been serving as a senior advisor for Mamdani’s campaign. She previously held senior roles in former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.
Dean Fuleihan is starting his tenure as First Deputy Mayor. The son of Lebanese immigrants, Fuleihan brings experience in overseeing New York budgets, having spent over 30 in state politics.
Elle Bisgaard-Church is serving as Mamdani’s chief of staff. She has played a major role in Mamdani’s transportation initiatives and his affordability agenda.
On the website, there are hundreds of new positions and names listed in housing, legal affairs, housing, education, technology and social services.
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