Fifteen Wagner Community Members Named to Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s Transition Team

In late November, New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani announced the local leaders selected to join his transition team. Fifteen Wagner community members were named to the over 400-person transition team, holding seats on 11 of the 17 transition advisory committees.

Arts & Culture 

• Kemi Ilesanmi (EMPA 2012), founder and principal, KGI Projects 

Community Safety 

• Daniela Gilbert (MPA-PNP 2019), director of redefining public safety, Vera Institute of Justice
• Hassan Naveed (MPA-PNP 2016), principal, Naveed Consulting 

Criminal Legal System

• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service Benjamin Heller (MPA-PNP 2021), program manager, Vera Institute of Justice 

Economic Development and Workforce Development

• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service Reed Jordan, director of community scholarships, NYC Kids RISE

Government Operations

• Zara Nasir (MPA-PNP 2016), executive director, The People’s Plan
• Distinguished Visiting Urbanist Laura Kavanagh, former FDNY commissioner 

Health 

• Ebone Carrington (MPA-PNP 2004), managing director, Manatt Health

Housing

• Iziah Thompson (MPA-PNP 2019), senior policy analyst, Community Service Society of New York 

Social Services

• Judy Herbstman (MPA-PNP 2016), president, Settlement Housing Fund
• Jennifer Jones-Austin (MS 1997), CEO and executive director, FPWA 

Technology

• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service Maia Woluchem, program director, Data & Society 

Transportation, Climate & Infrastructure

• Morgan Monaco (MPA-PNP 2014), president, Prospect Park Alliance
• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Urban Planning Tiffany Ann Taylor, vice president for transportation, Regional Plan Association 

Worker Justice

• NYU Wagner Labor Initiative Director Terri Gerstein