JANUARY 31 – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday unveiled a new slate of commissioners who will lead several of the city’s most critical agencies, a move his administration says reflects both continuity and change across municipal government. Announced on Saturday, the appointments include leaders for public health, veterans’ services, youth development, administrative trials, and the Department of Correction, where one nomination marks a historic first for the city.
At the center of the announcement is Stanley Richards, who is set to become commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction. Richards will be the first formerly incarcerated person to hold the post, an appointment that city officials and criminal justice advocates alike described as deeply symbolic and consequential. Richards was incarcerated in the 1980s and has since spent decades working in correctional reform and reentry advocacy.
Speaking at the announcement, Richards reflected on the arc of his personal and professional journey, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond a person’s past mistakes. “When we focus on people’s potential rather than defining them by their lowest moment, it opens the door to possibilities many once thought impossible,” he said. His remarks drew applause from attendees, including city officials, advocates, and correction staff.
Richards is no stranger to the Department of Correction. He previously served as the agency’s first deputy commissioner and has also been executive vice president of The Fortune Society, a well known nonprofit organization that supports people returning from incarceration through housing, employment, and advocacy programs. In a prepared statement released by the mayor’s office, Richards said the appointment represents the culmination of his life’s work in criminal justice reform, shaped directly by his own experience on Rikers Island and his years helping thousands of individuals rebuild their lives after incarceration.
Mayor Mamdani underscored the significance of Richards’ background, saying it would inform his leadership at a time when the agency faces intense scrutiny. According to the mayor, Richards brings lived experience and institutional knowledge that can help rebuild trust and morale within the department while improving conditions for those in custody. “It speaks to the depth of judgment and leadership he will offer both Correction officers and the people in custody across our city,” Mamdani said, according to a statement issued by City Hall.
The mayor’s office said Richards will focus on improving safety inside city jails, advancing the long stated goal of closing Rikers Island, and ensuring that people in custody receive appropriate care while staff are properly supported. Richards framed that mission in stark terms, rejecting the idea that the future of the jail system should be defined by punishment alone. “The path forward for Rikers is not about perpetual detention or placing blame, it is about meaningful change,” he said. “It is safety, transformation, and rehabilitation.”
The Department of Correction has been under mounting pressure in recent years following repeated reports of violence, staff misconduct, and deaths in custody. Federal oversight has intensified, and earlier this week a federal judge appointed a former CIA officer to serve as a remediation manager at Rikers Island, granting sweeping authority to address long standing failures. Both Mamdani and Richards said they expect to work closely with the court appointed manager as part of broader reform efforts, according to city officials familiar with the transition.
Alongside the DOC appointment, the mayor announced four additional commissioners who will take charge of other major agencies. The mayor appointed Dr. Alister Martin to head the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Martin is currently an emergency room physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. His background includes public health leadership and prior service as an advisor to former Vice President Kamala Harris, experience that the mayor’s office said will be valuable as the city continues to address health equity and mental health challenges.
Yesenia Mata was appointed commissioner of the Department of Veterans’ Services. A former military police sergeant, Mata becomes the first Latina to lead the agency. City officials said her military background and advocacy work position her to expand outreach and improve access to services for veterans and their families across the five boroughs.
Sandra Escamilla Davies was selected to head the Department of Youth and Community Development, an agency that oversees programs supporting young people, workforce development, and community based organizations. The mayor’s office described her as a seasoned leader with experience in youth services and community engagement, areas that Mamdani has identified as central to his administration’s priorities.
Vilda Vera Mayuga was named commissioner of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, which functions as the city’s central administrative law court. Her appointment is intended to strengthen fairness and efficiency in proceedings that affect thousands of New Yorkers each year, from housing violations to licensing disputes.
In a statement accompanying the announcements, Mayor Mamdani framed the new leadership team as a reflection of the city’s values and diversity. He said New York City relies on public servants whose work often goes unseen but directly affects residents’ daily lives. “Today, we are entrusting five dedicated leaders with the responsibility to carry that work forward,” the statement said. Mamdani added that he hopes New Yorkers will see the impact of their leadership in healthier communities, fairer administration of justice, and a government that listens and treats every person with dignity.