Mayor Mamdani Appoints Brown as Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made a significant appointment to his administration. Simonia Brown, a seasoned policy and budget expert, has been named Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy. This role is crucial as it aligns with the Mayor’s objective to enhance affordability for New Yorkers.

Background of Simonia Brown

Simonia Brown brings over 20 years of experience in both New York City and State government. Her expertise includes advising elected officials and negotiating key policies and budgetary matters. Notably, she previously served under Mayor Bill de Blasio as the Director of the State Legislative Affairs Office. In this position, she was instrumental in shaping the City’s legislative and budgetary strategies.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Former Associate Director at the NYC Office of Management and Budget, overseeing budgets for various sectors including education and community boards.
• Led the Intergovernmental Relations unit at the Office of Management and Budget, focusing on aligning the City’s fiscal policies with federal and state priorities.
• Experience at the New York State Assembly, where she advised leadership and directed budget analysis.

Currently, Brown works as the Assistant Deputy Comptroller at the Office of the State Comptroller. Here, she supervises teams responsible for local government and school district finances, managing distributions exceeding $1 billion annually.

Statements from Leadership

In a statement regarding the appointment, Mayor Mamdani expressed his enthusiasm for having Brown on his team. He recognized her dedication and capability in advocating for budgets and policies that aim to support working families. He emphasized the importance of her role in realizing the City’s affordability agenda.

Brown herself conveyed her gratitude for the opportunity to join the administration. She acknowledged the challenges posed by the rising cost of living in New York and expressed her commitment to working closely with Albany. Her goal is to implement strategies that provide tangible relief for families.

This appointment highlights Mayor Mamdani’s focus on leveraging experienced leaders to tackle some of New York’s most pressing issues, particularly in enhancing affordability for its residents.