Mamdani Announces New City Hall Appointments

Zoran Mamdani unveiled four new appointments on Wednesday, linking them to the administrations of Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio.

Among those appointed is Julia Carson, who held the position of deputy mayor for operations during the de Blasio era and has served under Governor Kathy Hochul recently.

Other appointments include Ahmed Tigani as Secretary-General of the Ministry of Buildings, Louise Yong as Chief Climate Officer, and Emmy Riss as Director-General of Child Care.

This announcement follows Mamdani confirming Kamal Samuels, the Third Ward Superintendent in Manhattan, as the next leader of the city’s public school system. Sources indicated to The Post a day prior that he would be appointed as school principal.

At a press conference, Mamdani stated, “The five New Yorkers with me have diverse responsibilities and unique portfolios, but we share two commitments: to create a better future for our city’s residents and to lead City Hall with a dedication to excellence.”

Mamdani further clarified that Samuels would be at the helm of the public school system, while current Education Secretary Melissa Aviles Ramos will stay for a month for a smoother transition.

Both Mamdani and Samuels, who have voiced concerns about the city’s gifted programs, said they aren’t planning to make immediate changes to the current classes or the application process for next year.

Furthermore, Mamdani has criticized the authority the mayor’s office holds over city schools and intends to push the state Legislature to expand that authority next year.

“My management style will ensure community engagement is tangible and actionable, not just a matter of procedure,” Mamdani remarked.

His transition team highlighted the significant government experience of the newly appointed members. Carson, for instance, is currently the deputy infrastructure secretary in Hochul’s administration and has previously advised de Blasio’s deputy mayor for operations while working at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on major projects.

Mamdani emphasized that “providing safe roads, clean streets, and express buses necessitates a deputy mayor who is dynamic and committed to public excellence.”

As for Tigani, he is currently the acting director of the city’s Housing Preservation and Development Agency, a role he has held since March 2025, and previously worked in the Mayor’s Office under de Blasio.

Yong, tasked with overseeing climate change initiatives, recently held a similar role in City Comptroller Brad Lander’s office after serving as director of resiliency at the Department of Transportation since 2019.

Emmy Riss, the future executive director for early childhood, has focused on early childhood initiatives during the de Blasio administration and has been in consulting since her hiring.

These recent appointments add to the roster of former de Blasio and Adams personnel that Mamdani will rely on as he steps into City Hall.

Earlier this week, he also appointed former de Blasio aide Stephen Banks as corporate general counsel, along with two more Adams associates on Monday.