Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is just two weeks away from being sworn in as the next mayor of New York City.
As questions continue to swirl as to who will be standing by his side in office, the mayor-elect announced two new appointments.
Jahmila Edwards will be the director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Catherine Almonte Da Costa will hold the title of director of Appointments.
Mamdani made the announcement alongside the two at the Brooklyn Public Library Greenpoint branch on Wednesday morning.
“It is an honor to welcome Jahmila Edwards into this administration and to have her spearhead the work of partnership and collaboration that is critical to delivering the affordability agenda. We know our efforts are ambitious — and we also know they are necessary. With Jahmila as director of Intergovernmental Affairs, we are leaving the politics of settling for less in the past and showcasing a government that fights for working people first,” said Mamdani. “And with Catherine Almonte Da Costa as director of Appointments, we have a true expert in talent acquisition in City Hall, making sure excellence is at the core of city government operations.”
Edwards is a labor veteran, most recently serving as the associate director of District Council 37, the city's largest public employee union. She also held several positions with the Department of Education, including a role as the executive director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and deputy chief of staff to the chancellor.
“I am honored to serve as the next Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. From championing a minimum wage increase to delivering historic funding for CUNY, fighting for working people has been my life’s work — and as part of the mayor-elect’s incoming administration, I look forward to continuing these efforts. New Yorkers across the five boroughs are calling out for the affordability agenda and it is our responsibility to deliver results,” said Edwards.
Da Costa is returning to the office where her career started, the Office of Appointments. She previously worked for the former Mayor Bill De Blasios administration and brings more than 10 years in public service and personnel management to City Hall. Her role will consist of recruiting top talent to deliver on Mamdani's affordability agenda.
“It is a privilege to serve the mayor-elect’s administration and be tasked with recruiting the talent that will be central to realizing the affordability agenda. A mayor’s strength lies in his team, and we are committed to appointing a team defined by experience, competence, and dedication to the needs of working New Yorkers,” said Da Costa.
Mamdani has yet to appoint other members of his administration but says he will have additional announcements to make ahead of Jan. 1