Mayor Mamdani Taps New Leaders For City Technology, Disability And Aging Agencies

NEW YORK, NY— Mayor Zohran Mamdani stood inside the SAGE Center Brooklyn at Stonewall House, a gathering place for LGBTQ+ seniors, as he announced three appointments that will shape how New Yorkers interact with city government, from logging onto services to aging in place.

The mayor named Lisa Gelobter as chief technology officer and commissioner of the Office of Technology and Innovation, Nisha Agarwal as commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities, and Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie as commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging.

Together, the appointees will oversee systems that touch millions of residents, including the city’s digital infrastructure, accessibility across public services, and programs for older adults.

Gelobter, a computer scientist and social impact entrepreneur, will take charge of the city’s technology backbone, cybersecurity efforts, and data systems.

She most recently founded tEQuitable, a technology platform designed to help organizations address systemic inequities in workplace culture. Her career includes senior roles in the Obama administration as chief digital service officer at the U.S. Department of Education and as interim chief digital officer at BET Networks. She also helped pioneer early internet and streaming technologies, including Shockwave and Hulu.

“I’m deeply honored to be appointed by Mayor Mamdani at a moment when technology is reshaping nearly every aspect of civic life,” Gelobter said. “As CTO and commissioner, my focus will be on using technology in service of the public good: improving delivery, strengthening accountability, and ensuring innovation reflects the needs of all New Yorkers.”

Mamdani said Gelobter’s career reflects a consistent effort to use technology to expand access and opportunity.

“Lisa Gelobter’s decades-long career as a computer scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur has been defined by her commitment to leveraging technology for the public good,” he said.

Agarwal, a public interest attorney with experience across city government and advocacy organizations, will lead the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities. Her previous roles include executive director for policy and communications at the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, where she helped launch IDNYC, the city’s municipal identification card. She has also held senior positions at legal and advocacy groups focused on immigrant and disability rights.

“I am honored to be the commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities,” Agarwal said. “I will work with and on behalf of disabled New Yorkers to tackle these issues and ensure that people with disabilities are at the forefront for creating this city more livable for all.”

Mamdani framed accessibility as central to his administration’s agenda. “It’s not enough for New York City to be affordable for everyone — it must be accessible to everyone, too,” he said.

Scott-McKenzie, a longtime city employee and healthcare executive, will take over leadership of the Department for the Aging. She spent nearly four decades serving North Brooklyn, most recently as chief operating officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, where she oversaw hospital operations, major construction projects, and emergency response efforts. Her experience includes serving as incident commander during crises ranging from the 2003 blackout to Superstorm Sandy.

“Our seniors have earned the right to age gracefully with dignity and respect in the city that we love,” Scott-McKenzie said. “I will work tirelessly to make this a reality.”

Mamdani said her background positions her to lead an agency central to keeping older adults housed, healthy, and connected. “We want to make sure the seniors who shaped our city can stay in it,” he said.

The mayor chose the SAGE Center Brooklyn as the setting for the announcement to underscore the administration’s focus on inclusive services for older adults. The center provides culturally competent programming, community space, and digital resources for LGBTQ+ seniors.