Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani Appoints Transition Leadership to Usher in A New Era for NYC
Transition Co-chairs Grace Bonilla, Lina Khan, Maria Torres-Springer, and Melanie Hartzog, and Transition Executive Director Elana Leopold to lead Mamdani Transition
Transition leadership tasked with building government of public servants to drive down costs and keep all New Yorkers safe
Mayor-elect Mamdani: "We will show the nation how government can deliver when we put the people, not billionaires, first"
QUEENS, NY — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani today appointed nonprofit leader Grace Bonilla, City budget and social service expert Melanie Hartzog, former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, housing and economic development leader Maria Torres-Springer, as Transition Co-Chairs, and political strategist Elana Leopold as Transition Executive Director. Mayor-elect Mamdani tasked his transition leadership team with building a government of public servants that will drive down costs and keep all New Yorkers safe. Mamdani Transition leaders are experienced public servants with deep expertise across critical areas of government that impact every New Yorker.
“Today we begin the work of building a new administration — and I’m proud to announce an experienced transition leadership team that will hit the ground running,” said Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. “From day one, our campaign was laser-focused on making this city affordable for working people. And on day one of my administration, with this talented transition team in place, we will be ready to make that vision a reality. Our transition leaders will help build a City Hall committed to excellence, integrity and a hunger to solve old problems with new solutions. Together, we will show the nation how government can deliver when we put the people, not billionaires, first.”
Nonprofit leader and lifelong New Yorker Grace Bonilla currently serves as president and CEO of United Way of New York City, a leading citywide nonprofit helping low-income New Yorkers by coordinating service providers, companies and local government services. Bonilla previously served as Administrator of the New York City Human Resources Administration and as the first Executive Director of New York City’s Taskforce on Racial Equity and Inclusion.
“It is an honor to serve as one of the co-chairs of Mayor-elect Mamdani’s transition team and begin the work of tackling the affordability crisis in New York City. For far too long the majority of New Yorkers have had to make the unfair choice between paying for food or rent. Together I look forward to delivering an administration that can serve our next mayor and implement his vision for a more equitable city,” said Transition Co-Chair Grace Bonilla.
Melanie Hartzog is the President and CEO of the New York Foundling, one of the city’s largest and oldest non-profit organizations that helps children, youth, adults, and families in need through services, support, and advocacy. Hartzog previously served across two mayoral administrations as New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, and as Family Services Coordinator for the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Deputy Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services. She also led a social services unit in the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, and was a Director for the Human Services Council of New York City, Inc.
“I’ve dedicated my entire career to making sure government works better for all New Yorkers, especially our children and most vulnerable. This is an exciting moment of promise for our city, and there is no more vital mission than ensuring the best, brightest and most principled people come into public service. I am proud to join Mayor-elect Mamdani’s Transition alongside so many brilliant New Yorkers who share my love for and commitment to the city,” said Transition Co-Chair Melanie Hartzog.
Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan is the nation’s leading antimonopoly champion. As the 57th FTC chair under President Biden, Khan spearheaded the administration’s efforts to reinvigorate antitrust and consumer protection enforcement. Before heading the FTC, Khan served as counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative law, and as legal advisor to FTC Commissioner Rohit Chopra. Khan is also an Associate Professor of Law at Columbia Law School.
“New Yorkers sent a clear message this week that it’s time to build a city that working people can actually afford. I’m excited to help Zohran build a team that will usher in a new era for New York City and set a new model for Democratic governance,” said Transition Co-Chair Lina Khan.
Housing and economic development leader Maria Torres-Springer has held numerous leadership roles in city government, most recently serving as First Deputy Mayor in City Hall. Torres-Springer was previously Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and president and CEO of the NYC Economic Development Corporation. She has also served as vice president for U.S. programs at the Ford Foundation and is the incoming President and CEO of the Revson Foundation.
“Having spent my entire career serving the people of this city, I’m truly honored to join this transition team and help deliver Mayor-elect Mamdani’s vision for a city where every New Yorker can both find a home and a future. New Yorkers cast their ballots for a more affordable New York — and together we will build an administration that delivers swiftly and boldly on this promise,” said Transition Co-Chair Maria Torres-Springer.
Transition Executive Director Elana Leopold has served on Mamdani’s campaign as a senior advisor, acting as a liaison to civic, business and cultural leaders across the city. Leopold, a native New Yorker, held several senior roles during the de Blasio administration including senior advisor to IGA and senior aide to the Mayor, as well as serving on the 2013 transition following his successful 2013 campaign.
“I’ve been proud to help this campaign reach New Yorkers across the five boroughs and get over the finish line over the past few months. I look forward to continuing to work with Zohran and leading a strong transition team that will deliver the bold agenda Zohran campaigned on,” said Transition Executive Director Elana Leopold.
Grace C. Bonilla, Esq. has served as President and CEO United Way of New York City (UWNYC) since July 2022. In this role, Bonilla has spearheaded transformative initiatives aimed at bridging the equity gap across the city’s most vulnerable populations. Previously, Bonilla served as Senior Vice President for Latin America at Covenant House International (CHI) where her portfolio included services to homeless children in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.
In March 2020, Bonilla was appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio to serve as the first Executive Director of the Task Force on Racial Equity and Inclusion, where she led a cross section of 80 city leaders and made over 100 recommendations, many of which are currently implemented. She also served as Administrator of the Human Resources Administration (HRA), which serves over 3 million New Yorkers through the administration of major public assistance programs and strives to combat poverty and income inequality across the city. She also previously served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Committee for Hispanic Children & Families, Inc. (CHCF). Bonilla also spent 10 years in the Bloomberg administration, where she served in numerous leadership roles within HRA, including Deputy Commissioner overseeing the Office of Community Affairs and Director of Legislation and Policy at the Office of Child Support Enforcement.
Bonilla is a life-long New Yorker. She received her BA in Political Science from St. John’s University, and her JD from Brooklyn Law School, where in 2015 she was awarded the Cesar Perales Community Advocate Award. She lives in Queens with her husband and three sons.
Melanie Hartzog is a nationally recognized policy leader who has led some of the largest and most impactful organizations and governmental offices in New York City and around the country. Hartzog currently serves as the President and CEO of the New York Foundling, one of New York’s oldest and largest human services providers. The Foundling serves more than 30,000 people every year in New York and Puerto Rico, helping children and families navigate the foster care system; assisting those struggling with conflict and poverty grow stronger; helping people with developmental disabilities live their best lives; and removing obstacles to wellbeing for people across New York and Puerto Rico through and its health and mental health services.
Hartzog was New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services under Mayor Bill de Blasio, overseeing the city’s social service agencies, after having served as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget. At the Office of Management and Budget, Hartzog oversaw the largest municipal budget in the United States, responsible for funding all city programs and services for New Yorkers. Before joining the Office of Management and Budget, Hartzog served as Executive Director of the Children’s Defense Fund, a leading national organization which advocates for the well-being and racial justice of children and youth. Earlier in her career, she served as Family Services Coordinator for the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Deputy Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services. She also led a social services unit in the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, and was a Director for the Human Services Council of New York City, Inc.
Recognized by City & State’s Responsible 100, Crain’s New York Business Notable Black Leaders 100, and the PIX11 Legends Awards, Hartzog has made an impact on the lives of countless New Yorkers. She holds a Master of Science degree from the New School’s Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy and Bachelor of Arts from Eckerd College.
Lina Khan served as the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from June 2021 to January 2025. While at the FTC, Khan led the Commission’s efforts to revitalize antitrust and consumer protection enforcement. She took on corporate abuse across the healthcare, technology, and food industries and fought to ensure that workers, small businesses, and consumers can get a fair shake across the economy.
Before her time at the FTC, Khan worked as counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law, where she helped lead the congressional investigation into dominant digital platforms, and served as a legal adviser to Commissioner Rohit Chopra. She is also an associate professor at Columbia Law School.
Khan earned her bachelor’s degrees from Williams College and a JD from Yale Law School. While at Yale, she gained prominence for her 2017 law review article, "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox.” She now lives in Harlem with her husband and son.
Maria Torres-Springer is a nationally recognized civic and urban policy leader with over 25 years of experience driving large-scale organizational transformation at the intersection of government, business, and philanthropy. Maria is the incoming President and CEO of the Revson Foundation, an independent, nonprofit grantmaking organization that supports initiatives in Biomedical Research, Education, Urban Affairs, and Jewish Life, and focuses on strengthening New York City's civic institutions and promoting knowledge and human progress.
Maria formerly served as New York City’s First Deputy Mayor where she oversaw the day-to-day operations, a $110 billion budget, and a 300,000+ public sector workforce. She led landmark achievements in housing, including the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity reforms. Maria’s career in public service spans across three Mayoral administrations and includes serving as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services. Maria has also held senior roles at the Ford Foundation.
Maria earned her bachelor's degree in ethics, politics, and economics from Yale University and a master’s in public policy from the Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
Elana Leopold is a New York political strategist with over 15 years of experience in government, campaigns, and organizational leadership. Leopold most recently served on Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral campaign as a senior advisor, acting as a liaison to civic, business and cultural leaders across the city. Leopold is the Founder and President of Leopold Impact Advisory, where she partners with mission-driven organizations, philanthropic initiatives, and corporate clients to translate vision into actionable strategy.
Leopold has led statewide campaigns and advocacy efforts on immigration, criminal legal reform, and human services for national nonprofits and corporate clients, securing more than $900 million in funding. Leopold, a native New Yorker, served in several senior roles during the de Blasio administration and worked on the de Blasio transition after his successful 2013 campaign.
Recognized by Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and City & State’s Political Consultants Power 50, Leopold is know expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy. She is a native New Yorker and lives in Brooklyn with her wife and dog, Rigatoni.