Mayor Zohran Mamdani today announced three new appointments to lead key city agencies and deliver on the Mamdani administration's vision for a more affordable, accessible, and just New York City. Mayor Mamdani appointed Sharun Goodwin as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation, Yume Kitasei as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and Lisa Garcia as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. These appointments - who bring decades of experience across city, state, and federal government - reflect Mayor Mamdani's continued commitment to building an experienced, diverse, and dynamic administration.
"Working-class New Yorkers deserve a city that works for them. The appointments we are announcing today will help us deliver on that vision," said Mayor Mamdani. "Each of these New Yorkers shares a common commitment to service, a desire to place this city and its needs before their own, and a real ambition to deepen what New Yorkers expect from government. I'm grateful to them for joining our administration and look forward to working together to deliver a new era for New York."
"From our city's buildings and vehicle fleet to our sewage treatment and wastewater facilities, DCAS and DEP are at the heart of our city. Yume and Lisa have the experience, expertise, and integrity to lead them both," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "I am excited to work closely with both of them as we embark on a new era for our city."
About Sharun Goodwin
Sharun Goodwin will serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation (DOP). A 37-year veteran of DOP, Commissioner Goodwin has dedicated her career to working with people on probation and moving New Yorkers out of the criminal and juvenile justice systems. After joining the department in 1987 as a Probation Officer Trainee, Commissioner Goodwin went on to serve as a Probation Officer, Branch Chief, Assistant Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner, Adult Operations before retiring in 2024. She received national recognition for her work supporting the needs of diverse communities and pioneering programs that emphasize education, employment, and meaningful engagement such as the "Anyone Can Excel" model, the Arches Transformative Mentoring Program, and the Neighborhood Opportunity Network initiative. Commissioner Goodwin holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Utica University.
As the head of DOP, Commissioner Goodwin will help advance the Mamdani Administration's vision for a more just New York City and ensure DOP provides substantive engagement and opportunity to every New Yorker on probation.
"Today is more than a professional milestone for me - it is the continuation of a journey that began many years ago when I first walked through the doors of this department," said DOP Commissioner Goodwin. "Public safety and compassion are not opposing forces - they are complementary responsibilities. When we balance enforcement with opportunity, structure with support, and accountability with hope, we create lasting change. I thank Mayor Mamdani, our justice partners, community leaders, and my family for your trust and support. I pledge to lead with transparency, courage, and unwavering dedication to the people of this city. Together, we will move this department forward, strengthen communities, and build a safer New York for all."
"Sharun Goodwin has dedicated her career to helping her fellow New Yorkers. Sharun is a known innovator at the Department of Probation, turning the page on decades of broken policy to deliver a city that is safe and just for all," said First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan. "As Commissioner, I am confident that Sharun will continue to champion reform and work with New Yorkers to connect them with the opportunities they deserve."
"I congratulate Sharun Goodwin on her appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Probation," said New York City Councilmember Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chair, New York City Council Committee on Criminal Justice. "I look forward to partnering together to tackle the unique challenges within our city's criminal justice system to create meaningful and lasting reform."
"The Legal Aid Society welcomes the appointment of Sharun Goodwin as Commissioner of the Department of Probation. We are hopeful that under her leadership, the Department will prioritize the programming and services that the people and communities we represent need and deserve," said Tina Luongo, Chief Attorney of the Criminal Defense Practice, The Legal Aid Society. "We view this moment as an opportunity to return to a probation model rooted in services and support rather than regressive law enforcement tactics, and we look forward to working with Commissioner Goodwin to ensure probation works effectively for the people it is meant to serve."
"I am very excited for the appointment of Sharun Goodwin to Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation," said David Muhammad, Executive Director, National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, and former Deputy Commissioner, DOP. "Sharun is an excellent selection as she is a strong leader, a capable manager, and has extraordinary experience. Sharun is the unique person who will be welcomed by the committed staff of the Probation Department as well as champion the necessary reforms needed to increase community safety and improve the outcomes of the city's most vulnerable residents."
"New York City takes an important step forward for community safety with the appointment of Sharun Goodwin as Commissioner of the Department of Probation. Commissioner Goodwin's leadership and longstanding commitment to dignity-centered, service-based approaches to justice will strengthen our city's continuum of care for youth and returning citizens," said Dr. Maurice Vann, Assistant Professor, Lehman College; Academic Director, Lehman's Educational Achievement Program; and Principal Investigator, Credible Messengers Justice Center. "Her appointment signals a renewed investment in prevention, opportunity, and the community-centered supports that research shows keep our neighborhoods safe. We look forward to partnering with Commissioner Goodwin and the Department of Probation to advance a safer, healthier, and more just New York City for all."
"I welcome Mayor Mamdani's selection of Sharun Goodwin as Probation Commissioner, and we look forward to a renewed partnership with DOP," said Jonathan McLean, President & CEO, CASES. "Commissioner Goodwin's depth of expertise in Probation will ensure the Department returns to its core mission of helping New Yorkers access the services and supports they need to maintain safe, productive lives in their communities. As a longtime community partner of the Probation Department, CASES is committed to working with Commissioner Goodwin to provide young people the care and resources they deserve."
About Yume Kitasei
Yume Kitasei will serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). Commissioner Kitasei brings a wealth of experience across multiple mayoral administrations, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the First Deputy Mayor, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Operations, Director of City Legislative Affairs, and more. She also served as Chief of Staff to New York City Councilmember Margaret Chin and as Community Liaison for Manhattan Community Board 1. In addition to her public service, she is the author of several books of speculative fiction. Commissioner Kitasei graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University.
In her role, Commissioner Kitasei will help oversee the city government's workforce, assets, properties, and procurement efforts, delivering high-quality administrative services and advancing the Mamdani Administration's values of transparent leadership and government excellence.
"I'm honored by and grateful to the Mayor for the opportunity to serve in his administration. I've dedicated my career to City service, but I'm inspired by the energy of this particular moment," said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. "As DCAS Commissioner, I'm excited to work with the agency to transform how the City hires and manages its properties and help bring City government into a new era."
"Yume Kitasei is one of the finest public servants in New York City and knows how to make government work for working people," said First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan. "Yume will lead DCAS with determination, intelligence and creativity - ensuring the City has the personnel, resources and systems needed to deliver the Mayor's Affordability Agenda. We are lucky to have her in the Administration."
"Nobody knows what it takes to make New York City government work better than Yume Kitasei," said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. "Her leadership comes at a moment when City government is in desperate need of modernization, innovation, and creativity. I've seen firsthand the type of dedicated, talented public servant she is and know that the Department of Citywide Administrative Services is in good hands."
"I congratulate Yume Kitasei on her appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Yume is a dedicated public servant who has spent years using her knowledge and expertise to improve the lives of New Yorkers," said New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. "I'm proud to have worked alongside Yume during our time serving on Manhattan's Community Board 1, where her career in public service began, and I look forward to working with her again in this new role."
"Yume Kitasei is a proven and deeply experienced public servant with a strong record of leadership across multiple city agencies. She brings vast management experience, legislative insight, and a deep understanding of community development and neighborhood preservation," said New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer. "Yume is brilliant, personable, and effective, and she knows how to get complex projects done. DCAS is a large and multifaceted agency, and I am confident that she will be successfully and deliver results for New Yorkers."
About Lisa Garcia
Lisa Garcia will serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). An experienced administrator, lawyer, and policymaker, Commissioner Garcia has spent her career working across the public and private sector to protect the environment and advance climate justice. She previously served as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Regional Administrator for Region 2, overseeing the Biden Administration's environmental agenda in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight Indian Nations. She ran the Climate Solutions Lab at GRIST Magazine, where she worked to elevate climate justice leaders, and served as both Vice President for Litigation at EarthJustice and as an Associate Administrator and Advisor at the EPA. Along with experience at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Attorney General's Environmental Protection Bureau, Commissioner Garcia previously served as an Associate Professor at Rutgers Law School and as Adjunct Faculty at Columbia University and New York University School of Law. She received her B.A. from Stony Brook University and her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
In this position, Commissioner Garcia will help protect the city's infrastructure and environment; ensure the delivery of high-quality services such as drinking water and sewage treatment; and make sure that New York City is a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis.
"Whether it's advocating for community groups, working for the state and federal government, or representing large NGOs and academic organizations, I've been proud to fight for environmental and climate justice throughout my career. Those are the exact same principles I will bring to DEP," said DEP Commissioner Garcia. "Thank you to Mayor Mamdani for this extraordinary opportunity and honor. While the infrastructure and resiliency needs of New York City may be challenging, I know this department and this administration are up to the task, and I am ready to get to work."
"I am thrilled to see Lisa Garcia take on this important role leading DEP. I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa for decades on the front lines of the fight for environmental justice. From the Gowanus Canal to the streets of North Brooklyn, Lisa has always been a fierce advocate for our most vulnerable neighbors," said U.S. Congressmember Nydia M. Velázquez. "Whether at the EPA or the NYS DEC, she has always prioritized the voices of those most impacted by pollution and climate change. I look forward to continuing our long partnership to ensure all New Yorkers have clean water and a healthy environment."
"Lisa is a phenomenal choice to lead New York City's Department of Environmental Protection. As a leader in the field of climate and environmental justice, Lisa has a deep understanding of the inequalities that plague our systems and public infrastructure," said Lisa P. Jackson, Former Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Her brilliance, integrity and tenacity, combined with her deep commitment to service, will ensure that the city's air, land and water are protected and that the DEP will deliver high-quality services to all New Yorkers."
"The NYC Environmental Justice Alliance applauds Mayor Mamdani and his team for their selection of Lisa Garcia as Commissioner of DEP. Having known and worked with Lisa Garcia over 25 years, I can attest to Lisa's commitment to environmental stewardship, devotion to duty and responsible innovation. Most importantly to NYC-EJA, Lisa is unwavering in her advocacy for - and with - disproportionately environmentally impacted and climate vulnerable communities," said Eddie Bautista, Executive Director, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance. "She brings her track record of success at the state and federal levels to New York City at a challenging moment, when our hard-won environmental and climate justice victories are either being rolled back or ignored. Lisa will bring the sort of focus to working in partnership with impacted communities that's been missing at the City level for years. We look forward to our work together."
"We're excited to have Lisa Garcia appointed as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection," said Peggy Shepard, Co-Founder and Executive Director, WE ACT for Environmental Justice. "We've known Lisa for years and worked with her in a variety of capacities. She has been a passionate champion of environmental and climate justice for decades. And her work at the Environmental Protection Agency, especially as the Administrator for EPA's Region 2, makes her an ideal choice to lead our city's Department of Environmental Protection in these politically challenging times."
"Lisa Garcia is an outstanding public servant who has dedicated her career to protecting the environment and the health and welfare of all New Yorkers," said Basil Seggos, Former Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. "Mayor Mamdani made a tremendous choice in selecting Lisa as the next DEP Commissioner. New York City's water, air and lands are in very capable hands."
