She is the power behind the red curtain.

El Bisgaard-Church, who has recently been appointed as chief of staff to Zoran Mamdani, is an advocate for the Democratic Socialists of America. She played a crucial role in garnering support for his mayoral campaign from far-left groups and was instrumental in establishing his “Community Security Bureau,” according to sources.

Both Mamdani and Bisgaard-Church, both 34, have navigated similar paths to attain positions of significant influence in New York City politics. Mamdani began with activism focusing on anti-war and pro-Palestinian efforts, later working for a left-leaning nonprofit before advancing into state government.

“Few have been as pivotal to our movement, or to the successes we’ve shared in Congress, as Elle,” Mamdani remarked on Monday, with Bisgaard-Church modestly by his side during his announcement of her new role in City Hall.

Originally from California and an Ivy League graduate, Bisgaard-Church’s journey began intertwining with Mamdani’s during the 2020 election, where she took on the role of chief of staff in the state House office.

When Mamdani’s mayoral campaign emerged, she fully immersed herself as the campaign manager, earning accolades for his impressive primary win, and later assumed the position of senior adviser.

However, she maintains a strong sense of privacy, largely steering clear of social media and granting very few interviews, especially as Mamdani, a former socialist councilor from Queens, garners public attention.

Interestingly, her wedding this past summer went largely unnoticed by major media outlets, unlike similar events involving other political figures, and she hasn’t appeared on the City and State Power List.

While Bisgaard-Church lacks formal experience in city governance, insiders indicate that she is quickly becoming a formidable presence in the shifting left-leaning political landscape of New York.

Mamdani, himself somewhat of an outsider, has opted to bring in experienced individuals like Dean Fleihan, who he named First Deputy Mayor alongside Bisgaard-Church, in hopes of achieving his ambitious democratic ideals.

“She ran a disciplined campaign that reflected a deep understanding of New York City and its voters; that’s invaluable for City Hall,” Alyssa Kass, a partner at Slingshot Strategies, commented.

Kass further emphasized the necessity for someone who could act as a bridge between the first deputy mayor and key department heads, noting, “I think Elle can do that very well.”

Bisgaard-Church’s unique role as Mamdani’s adviser is likely influenced by their similar professional backgrounds.

She attended Swarthmore College, where she majored in political science and Middle Eastern studies. Bisgaard-Church was involved in campus activism, much like Mamdani, and was known to host an anti-war podcast, engaging with the university’s peace and conflict studies initiatives.

After graduation in 2013, she worked across various nonprofits in Philadelphia, Santa Cruz, and Washington, focusing on adult literacy and criminal justice issues before moving to New York City in 2016 for a public relations fellowship.

In 2020, she obtained a master’s degree in public administration from both Columbia University and the London School of Economics. Shortly thereafter, she applied and succeeded in securing the chief of staff position with Mamdani.

Senator Mike Gianaris, representing a district overlapping with Mamdani’s, acknowledged her importance, stating that she was instrumental in advocating for free bus services that align with Mamdani’s plans for citywide expansion.

Moreover, as a member of the DSA, Bisgaard-Church played a key role in building alliances among often-disparate socialist factions, which proved pivotal in the success of Mamdani’s mayoral campaign.

As Mamdani’s campaign gained momentum—driven in part by Bisgaard-Church’s quiet yet decisive contributions—she helped to shape the controversial $1.1 billion proposal for a Department of Social Safety.

Following Mamdani’s victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in June’s primary, supporters at the celebration chanted her name, marking a significant shift in her public persona.

Now, with Mamdani’s successful election, Bisgaard-Church is poised to become a prominent figure in an unprecedented government for the nation’s largest city, alongside a more youthful and less experienced roster of appointees.

DSA members have quickly claimed credit for Mamdani’s triumph, suggesting it provides a strong mandate for progressive initiatives.

While many of his appointees have past ties to former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration, Mamdani’s choice to surround himself with fresh, mostly inexperienced voices sets a distinctive tone in his new administration.

Melissa DeRosa, a veteran aide to Cuomo, acknowledged the merit in Mamdani’s selection of Fleihan but expressed reservations about Bisgaard-Church.

“Dean’s appointment should comfort the business community, but appointing Elle at the same time raises questions,” she said, adding, “It’ll be interesting to see how he manages potential conflicts.”