Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday announced five senior appointments to lead key municipal agencies, including new commissioners for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Correction, as part of his administration’s effort to advance public health, justice, veterans’ support and administrative services.
Dr. Alister Martin was named Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Stanley Richards was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction. Richards is the first formerly incarcerated individual to serve in that role.
Mamdani also named Yesenia Mata as Commissioner of the Department of Veterans’ Services, Sandra Escamilla-Davies as Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development, and Vilda Vera Mayuga as Commissioner of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
“New York City is built on the often unseen work of public servants who show up every day to care for our neighbors, support our young people, and make government work for the people who rely on it most,” Mamdani said in a statement released by the mayor’s office. “Today, we are entrusting five dedicated leaders with the responsibility to carry that work forward.”
Martin, an emergency room physician and public health leader, will oversee the city’s health agency, which is responsible for managing disease outbreaks, ensuring access to health services and advancing public health programs.
Richards, who previously was executive vice president of the Fortune Society and served as first deputy commissioner for the Department of Correction, said in remarks that he is honored to lead the agency at a critical time and plans to work on improving safety and support for both incarcerated individuals and correction staff.
Mata, a U.S. Army military police sergeant and veteran advocate, said she is committed to connecting veterans with housing, health care and other support services. Escamilla-Davies, a longtime youth services executive, will focus on expanding youth programming and community outreach, officials said. Mayuga, with extensive experience in administrative law and worker protection, will oversee the city’s independent administrative court system.
The appointments come as Mamdani’s administration continues to fill leadership positions across city government after he took office in January. The new commissioners must be confirmed by the city’s legislative processes as required by law.
