Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced the appointment of the Commission on Government Efficiency, or COGE, a Charter Revision Commission tasked with making City government work better for New Yorkers.
Led by Chair Patrick Gaspard, COGE will examine how the New York City Charter can better support public excellence by improving efficiency, modernizing city government and ensuring government keeps pace with New Yorkers' needs. Mayor Mamdani also proposed that the Commission appoint New York City longtime public servant Ann Cheng as executive director.
The Mayor has charged the Commission with reviewing the entire New York City Charter, gathering public input and issuing proposals to amend the charter. The Commission will hold 10 public hearings across the five boroughs to hear directly from New Yorkers before proposals are brought to voters on the November ballot.
COGE's work is expected to include removing outdated bureaucratic barriers that slow infrastructure projects and delay services; equipping City agencies the authority, enforcement tools, and flexibility they need to deliver programs effectively; and modernizing government to improve efficiency and saving, reserve and budget practices. The Commission may also consider additional reforms that emerge through public engagement, testimony and research.
"New Yorkers deserve a government that works as hard as they do - and a government as careful with their money as they are. For too long, bureaucracy has stood in the way of delivering the housing, transit, child care and public services our city needs. The Commission on Government Efficiency will take a hard look at how City government functions and identify the reforms we need to deliver faster, smarter and more effectively for working people," said Mayor Mamdani. "Restoring faith in government starts with proving government can actually deliver."
"New Yorkers deserve and need a government of the possible -- one that can urgently build infrastructure, promote small business growth, and make the city more livable with accessible childcare and affordable groceries," said Commission Chair Patrick Gaspard. "I am grateful to Mayor Mamdani for the opportunity to chair this commission, and I look forward to listening to New Yorkers to develop the charter for the 21st century government we need."
"City agencies are charged with solving some of the most complex challenges facing New Yorkers, and yet too often they are hamstrung by outdated constraints and unnecessary requirements," said Proposed Executive Director Ann Cheng. "Modernizing the charter is an opportunity to transform how city government does its job, and I am deeply grateful to Mayor Mamdani for entrusting me to serve New Yorkers in this role."
The Charter Revision Commission's initial public meeting will take place June 4 at 5 p.m.. The first CRC public hearing will be held June 9 at 5 p.m.. Nine additional hearing dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
Chair Patrick Gaspard is a former American diplomat and long-time New Yorker who previously served as president of the Center for American Progress. Gaspard has served as executive director of the Democratic National Committee, United States Ambassador to South Africa, President of the Open Society Foundation, and Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU Healthcare workers East. A close aide to former President Barack Obama, Gaspard worked as Associate Personnel Director of President-elect Obama's transition team and Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs for the Obama administration. Gaspard's career in New York City included working on David Dinkins' Mayoral campaign and serving as special assistant in the Office of the Manhattan Borough President, special assistant in Dinkins' mayoral office, and chief of staff in the New York City Council.
Proposed Executive Director Ann Cheng most recently served as Director of Strategic Initiatives in the New York State Governor's Office, where she successfully led coordinated legislative and communications efforts to secure key policy wins in the 2026 state budget. Previously, she served as Chief of Staff for the CUNY Office of Budget and Finance and prior to that held multiple senior roles in New York City government. Cheng received a Hayes Innovation Award for co-founding the nation-leading New York City Asylum Application Help Center, led the Capital Process Reform Task Force to several legislative victories, and served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Staff Secretary to Mayor de Blasio during the COVID-19 crisis. Prior to entering government, Cheng taught high school and worked in higher education.
Marco A. Carrión is the President of the Consortium of Worker Education and former Commissioner of Community Affairs for New York City. Prior to joining the Consortium, Carrión served as Executive Director of El Puente, a human rights organization operating in New York City and Puerto Rico. Carrión has also worked as political director for CLC, representing 1.5 million members across 300 local unions, as Chief of Staff for State Senator Gustavo Rivera and served in senior roles for two governors. He is a Bronx native and currently resides in Brooklyn.
Henry A. Garrido is the executive director of District Council 37. Since his election to executive director in 2015, Garrido has prioritized expanding member participation, including the DC 37 Union Strong organizing campaign, which has led to the highest union membership in DC 37's 80 year history. Prior to serving as executive director, Garrido was the union's associate director. Garrido is an international vice president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), co-chair of the Municipal Labor Committee, a trustee on the City of New York's Workforce Investment Board, an advisory board member of the New York City Independent Budget Office, and serves on the board of the New York City Employees Retirement System (NYCERS).
Susan Kang is an Associate Professor of Political Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Her research and areas of expertise include international relations, international political economy, labor and human rights and international law. She currently serves as editor of research journal Global Constitutionalism, and is the former co-chair of the Labor Project, an American Political Science Association Related Group. She is the author of Human Rights and Labor Solidarity: Trade Unions in the Global Economy, and a member of the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. She is the co-author of a book on policing of protest forthcoming with Stanford University Press and is a member of the executive council of the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY.
Kapil Longani is the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel for the State University of New York. Longani has extensive experience in federal, state and local government and governance. His career includes serving as Chief Counsel to the Mayor of New York City, and Senior Counsel to Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives where he served as the Democratic staff's lead investigator in several high profile investigations including the Flint water crisis and the federal government's response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Prior to his work in Congress, Longani served as an Assistant US Attorney for the District of Columbia, a litigator with Skadden in New York City, and helped implement South Africa's post-Apartheid Constitution. Longani also serves as a Commissioner on the NYC Commission on Human Rights, and on the boards of Good Shepherd Services, the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, and the National Endowment for Financial Education.
Ruth Messinger is a longtime civic leader, Jewish social justice activist and former Manhattan Borough President. Messinger served as a City Councilmember, representing Manhattan's West Side, and was the Democratic Party candidate for Mayor in 1997 after 20 years in elected office. She led the American Jewish World Service as president and CEO for nearly two decades and is now the organization's Global Ambassador. A third generation New Yorker, Messinger worked as a social worker, community school teacher, neighborhood organizer, college administrator and global human rights activist. She has taught at various NYC colleges and is currently teaching policy and politics at Hunter College. Messinger has been an advisor to the Center for Social Responsibility at the Meyerson JCC and is now part time faculty at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America; a consultant and teacher for Elluminate, a program for social justice entrepreneurs; an immigration advocate and activist; and the co-chair of the Board of the Interfaith Center for NY.
Theodore Moore (he/him) is the Executive Director of ALIGN, setting the organization's strategic vision for worker power and climate justice, leading engagement with campaigns and movement partners, and supervising a team of 10 staff members. Moore brings close to 20 years of movement and political advocacy experience to the position, most recently serving as New York Immigration Coalition's (NYIC) Vice President of Policy & Programs. Previously, he was a Senior Policy Analyst for NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, with The Working Families Party (WFP), and was among the original staff of ALIGN in 2012. Moore serves on several boards including Riders Alliance, New Yorkers United for Child Care and PowerSwitch Action. A lifelong resident of Brooklyn, Moore was born and raised in East Flatbush and now calls Bed-Stuy home.
Ana Oliveira is the President & CEO of The New York Women's Foundation. Oliveira has worked in health and human services for over two decades, including as the Executive Director of Gay Men's Health Crisis and leading innovative community-based programs at Samaritan Village, the Osborne Association, Kings County and Lincoln Hospitals. Oliveira has also served as a member of the New York City HIV Planning Council, in the New York City Commission on AIDS, chaired the NYC Commission for LGBTQ Runaway and Homeless Youth, and Co-Chaired Mayor Bloomberg's Young Men's Initiative.
Dawn Pinnock is the President and CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services, one of New York City's leading social service organizations. Prior to joining CUCS, Pinnock served as Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services and has over three decades of experience working to modernize government operations across New York City. Pinnock co-chaired the City's first Pay Equity Cabinet, helped lead the City's Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity, served on the Board of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, and oversaw initiatives that reduced carbon emissions and created safer, more sustainable city operations. Pinnock also serves on the NYC Public Schools' Pathways Industry Commission, and as a Board Trustee for Metropolitan College of New York.
Carlina Rivera is a former New York City elected official and current President and CEO of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH), where she leads the largest statewide coalition of affordable housing stakeholders in the country to drive faster development and long-term preservation across the five boroughs. As a New York City Council Member, Rivera helped secure millions of dollars in funding for housing preservation and production over her eight years in office. Rivera began her career in after-school programming for high-needs schools and served as Director of Programs and Services at the nonprofit Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES). Rivera also served as an officer of Manhattan Community Board 3 and as Legislative Director for Council Member Rosie Mendez.
Esther Rosario is Executive Director of Climate Jobs New York, a coalition of labor unions leading the fight for an equitable, resilient, and unionized clean energy economy. CJNY's mission is to educate, organize, and advocate for a clean energy future at the scale that climate science demands and one that creates and protects good union jobs, centers working people, and builds stronger, more resilient communities across New York State. Ms. Rosario also serves as the Policy Director for the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. Prior to joining CJNY, Esther served as Chief of Staff to the New York State Senate Labor Chair, where she helped lead successful campaigns to raise the minimum wage, expand access to child care, strengthen prevailing wage standards in renewable energy, and advance critical worker protections statewide. Her earlier roles include Press Secretary for the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Policy Analyst in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. Esther also served in the Peace Corps in Colombia, where she collaborated with local leaders and international partners to develop sustainable community programs.
Marc V. Shaw is a longtime New York State and City government official who has served as New York City First Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Operations to Mayor Bloomberg, NYC Budget Director, NYC Finance Commissioner, and Finance Director for the NYC Council. Shaw is currently Chair of the Advisory Board and Senior Advisor at the CUNY Institute for State & Local Governance. At CUNY, his experience includes serving as Senior Advisor to the CUNY Chancellor and Senior Vice Chancellor for Budget, Finance and Financial Policy. Shaw also served as a Senior Advisor to the Governor on MTA finances, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the MTA from 1996 to 2001, and earlier in his career served on the New York State Senate Finance Committee.
Barika X. Williams is a New York City housing expert and Executive Director of the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD), where her work focuses on advancing equitable community development strategies that empower marginalized communities. Prior to joining ANHD, she served as Assistant Secretary for Housing for the State of New York under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, worked in real estate development in Washington, DC, and published at the Urban Institute. Williams served on the inaugural US Treasury Advisory Committee on Racial Equity (TARCE), and has presented nationally and internationally on neighborhood and economic justice.
Emma Wolfe is passionate about higher education, public service, and strategic leadership, currently serving as Chief of Staff to the President of New York University. Before working in higher education, she spent two decades working in city and state government and on local, state, and federal political and advocacy campaigns. Emma was previously the Vice President for Government and Community Relations at Dartmouth. Prior to that inaugural role, she was the first Senior Advisor to the President for External Relations and Leadership Development at Barnard College. She also taught crisis management in government for the Columbia University and Barnard Urban Studies department. During Bill de Blasio's New York City Mayoral administration, Emma served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and then as Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration.
Kathryn Wylde is an urban policy expert and widely recognized New York civic and business leader. For fifty years, Wylde has played a central role in building and maintaining New York's thriving economy, as well as the revitalization of the city's neighborhoods, development of affordable housing, reform of the public education system, modernization of the public transit system, and advancing public health and safety. Wylde recently stepped down after 25 years as President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, the city's preeminent business organization. She is a Senior Strategic Advisor to Invariant, a top Washington D.C.-based public affairs firm, and a member of the Advisory Board of the NYC Independent Budget Office. She serves on the boards of the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the New York State NYC Regional Economic Development Council, the Fund for Public Schools, the Manhattan Institute, Invest Puerto Rico, and the Partnership Fund for New York City. She writes a regular column for Crain's New York Business and is a frequent spokesperson on issues that impact the city and state.
