For the first time in the history of New York City, a Dominican woman has been elected as deputy mayor of the Big Apple. Mayor Eric Adams appointed Ana Almanzar as Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives on Friday, replacing former Deputy Mayor and current First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. Almanzar will assume her position in early June and will oversee the same portfolio as the previous deputy mayor for strategic initiatives.
“For more than a decade, Ana Almanzar has built bridges between nonprofits and government,” said Mayor Adams. “From improving health outcomes in diverse communities at the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to overseeing a $25 million statewide poverty reduction initiative, Ana has demonstrated her ability to ‘get things done’ for New Yorkers,” he added.
Almanzar is an immigrant who came to the city at age 17 and, with her family, settled in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, where she worked in a factory to help support her parents and nine siblings.
“Moving to New York City from the Dominican Republic, she turned her American dream into reality, graduated from CUNY and fought for Latino rights. Ana continues this administration’s tradition of leadership by strong women, especially strong women of color. I am thrilled to have her as our new Deputy Mayor for strategic initiatives,” the Mayor added.
In the past, Almanzar served under the administration of former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Under her new title, she will be in charge of eight Mayor’s Departments: the Center for Innovation through Data Intelligence, the City University of the City of New York, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, the Mayor’s Office of Equity, the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofits, the Mayor’s Fund and City-affiliated nonprofits.
“It is my greatest honor to continue to serve my fellow New Yorkers in this capacity and work for a visionary leader like Mayor Adams,” said incoming Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives, Ana J. Almanzar. “I bring with me many years of experience in the private, public, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, which have prepared me to take on the position of Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives with great excitement. My journey from Las Palmas-Santo Domingo to City Hall has been filled with great challenges and opportunities that made me who I am and fueled my desire to help others achieve their goals and dreams. I am ready to ‘Get Things Done’ to build a better city for all New Yorkers.”
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Almanzar will report to First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
Who is Ana Almanzar?
Prior to her appointment, Almanzar served as director of community relations at Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, leading an external relations strategy to advance the foundation’s public agenda and promote relationships with community organizations and government entities.
Almanzar also spent six years as chief of staff to the New York State director of nonprofit organizations. During his tenure, Almanzar helped spearhead multi-platform media campaigns and public efforts in all 10 regions of the state. In addition, he oversaw a $25 million poverty reduction initiative while assisting in the community rollout of the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative, which has now expanded to more than 15 cities.
In 2010, Almanzar served as civic engagement program manager, Northeast at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). At NALEO, Almanzar was responsible for the development and execution of nationwide civic engagement campaigns through multimedia and grassroots outreach efforts. He also supported citizenship applications and increased community participation in local politics and policy initiatives. Finally, Almanzar assisted with community outreach and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders and media outlets for high-impact marketing campaigns promoting political activities.
Almanzar received his associate’s degree from Eugenio Maria De Hostos Community College of the City University of New York and a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University. He also holds a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University – School of International and Public Affairs.