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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 22

Mayor Mamdani Names New

Commissioners to Lead Key City Agencies

OUR BUREAU taining public trust and delivering re-
sults.
New York, NY
Lisa Garcia was appointed Com-
ayor Zohran Mamdani on missioner of the Department of Envi-
Tuesday announced three ronmental Protection, bringing to the
Mmajor appointments to lead role a long career in environmental
critical New York City agencies, nam- law, policy, and climate justice. Gar-
ing Sharun Goodwin as Commission- cia previously served as Regional
er of the Department of Probation, Administrator for the U.S. Environ-
Yume Kitasei as Commissioner of mental Protection Agency’s Region
the Department of Citywide Admin- 2, where she oversaw environmental
istrative Services, and Lisa Garcia as programs across New York, New Jer-
Commissioner of the Department of sey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Is-
Environmental Protection. The ap- lands, and multiple tribal nations. Her
pointments, which draw on decades of career also includes leadership roles
experience across city, state, and fed- at Earthjustice, the New York State
eral government, reflect the Mamdani Department of Environmental Con-
administration’s emphasis on experi- servation, and the New York State At-
enced leadership, institutional knowl- torney General’s Environmental Pro-
edge, and a renewed commitment to tection Bureau, as well as academic
affordability, equity, and justice for appointments at Rutgers, Columbia,
working-class New Yorkers. and NYU law schools.
“Working-class New Yorkers nearly four decades inside the agen- justice partners in pursuit of mean- As DEP commissioner, Garcia
deserve a city that works for them,” cy. Goodwin joined the department ingful reform. will oversee the city’s water supply,
Mayor Mamdani said while an- in 1987 as a probation officer trainee Yume Kitasei was named Com- wastewater treatment, and environ-
nouncing the appointments. and rose through the ranks to serve as missioner of the Department of mental infrastructure while position-
probation officer, branch chief, assis- Citywide Administrative Services, an ing New York as a global leader in
“Each of these leaders shares tant commissioner, and deputy com- agency responsible for managing the climate resilience and environmental
city’s workforce, real estate portfolio, justice. She said the same principles
missioner for adult operations before
a deep commitment to public retiring in 2024. Widely recognized procurement systems, and adminis- that guided her career—protecting
service and a real ambition to as an innovator, she helped pioneer trative infrastructure. Kitasei brings vulnerable communities and advanc-
programs that emphasize education, extensive institutional experience, ing climate solutions—will shape her
raise what New Yorkers expect employment, and community engage- having served in multiple senior leadership at DEP. “The infrastruc-
from government. I’m grateful ment, including the Arches Transfor- roles across mayoral administrations, ture and resiliency needs of New York
mative Mentoring Program and the
including chief of staff to the first
City are immense,” Garcia said, “but
to them for joining our admin- Neighborhood Opportunity Network. deputy mayor and deputy mayor for this department and this administra-
As commissioner, Goodwin will
istration and look forward to oversee efforts to move New Yorkers operations, as well as director of city tion are ready to meet the challenge.”
Environmental justice advocates
legislative affairs. She also previous-
working together to deliver a out of the criminal and juvenile jus- ly worked in community roles at the and former federal and state leaders
new era for New York.” tice systems while strengthening pub- City Council and Manhattan Com- welcomed Garcia’s appointment, cit-
lic safety through services and support munity Board 1. ing her longstanding commitment to
rather than punitive enforcement. In her new role, Kitasei will be communities most impacted by pol-
Deputy Mayor for Operations
Julia Kerson said the appointments “Public safety and compassion are tasked with modernizing city hiring lution and climate change. Support-
not opposing forces,” Goodwin said. practices, improving asset manage-
ers said her leadership comes at a
were central to the functioning of “When we balance accountability with ment, and ensuring city operations critical moment, as cities face mount-
city government, noting that agen- opportunity and enforcement with align with the administration’s afford- ing climate risks and uncertainty in
cies such as DCAS and DEP touch
nearly every aspect of daily life, from hope, we create lasting change.” She ability agenda. “I’ve dedicated my ca- national environmental policy.
reer to city service, but I’m inspired by
Together, the appointments of
pledged to lead the department with
municipal buildings and vehicle fleets transparency and dedication, focusing the energy of this moment,” Kitasei Goodwin, Kitasei, and Garcia un-
to water treatment and climate resil- on community-centered outcomes. said. “At DCAS, I’m excited to help derscore Mayor Mamdani’s strategy
ience. She said both Kitasei and Gar- Her appointment was welcomed bring city government into a new era.” of pairing deep experience with re-
cia bring the experience and integrity
City leaders described Kitasei as
needed to guide the city through a pe- by criminal justice advocates, elected a deeply knowledgeable and effective form-minded leadership. City offi-
cials said the new commissioners will
officials, and service providers, many
riod of operational and environmen- of whom said it signals a renewed public servant with a rare understand- play central roles in advancing public
tal challenges. commitment to probation models ing of how to make complex govern- safety, operational excellence, and
Sharun Goodwin’s appointment
as Commissioner of the Depart- rooted in dignity, prevention, and ment systems work better for resi- environmental sustainability, setting
the tone for an administration fo-
opportunity. Several leaders praised
dents. They noted that her leadership
ment of Probation marks a return to Goodwin’s ability to bridge agency comes at a time when modernization cused on delivering tangible improve-
leadership for a veteran who spent
staff, community organizations, and and efficiency are essential to main- ments in the lives of New Yorkers.
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