Meet NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s All-Women Transition Team

Newly-elected New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is already making a clear statement about governing. The 34-year-old democratic socialist unveiled an entirely women transition team as he prepares to take the helm of the nation’s largest city, a move that signals both his ambition and the kind of leadership he intends to bring to City Hall.

At a news conference shortly after his victory, Zohran introduced four women as co-chairs of his transition effort: Maria Torres‑Springer, Lina Khan, Grace Bonilla and Melanie Hartzog. He also tapped Elana Leopold as executive director of the team. The announcement came as Zohran pledged to solve “old problems with new solutions” and to build an administration that is both capable and compassionate.

Maria brings high-level municipal operations experience. She served as first deputy mayor under outgoing Mayor Eric Adams and previously held roles in housing and economic development.

Lina is arguably the most nationally recognized among the group. As chair of the Federal Trade Commission under President Joe Biden, she took an aggressive posture on antitrust enforcement and corporate accountability, especially toward tech giants.

Grace leads the nonprofit sector as president and CEO of United Way of New York City and has previous roles under both Mayors Bill de Blasio and Michael Bloomberg.

Melanie rounds out the co-chairs. She served as deputy mayor for health and human services under Mayor de Blasio and previously directed New York’s budget office.

Elana Leopold, a political strategist and former senior adviser on Mamdani’s campaign, will serve as executive director of the transition team, connecting the campaign to the operational work of forming a city government.

The all-female team sends a signal. In a city and country where civic leadership is still overwhelmingly male, choosing an entirely women-led transition team positions Zohran’s incoming administration as centering gender equity and diverse leadership at its core. It also serves a practical purpose: assembling a group of experienced players with decades of municipal and federal government experience to support a relatively young and politically nontraditional mayor-elect.

Zohran’s agenda is ambitious: free bus rides, expanded government-funded childcare, accelerated housing development, and other affordability-focused reforms.

As Zohran prepares to be sworn in on Jan. 1, the pace is already intense. With the backdrop of possible federal pressure – Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal funds or deploy the National Guard if he disagrees with the new mayor — this transition becomes more than ceremonial.

This moment offers a powerful story: a young mayor, breaking molds, and intentionally building a women-led leadership team to tackle the most complex municipal government in the country. Whether this cohort can meet the moment remains to be seen, but the signal is unmistakable: change is not only coming, it’s being assembled.