Dominican Woman Makes History as Vice Mayor of New York City

NEW YORK — For the first time in the history of New York City, a Dominican woman is elected vice mayor of the Big Apple.

Mayor Eric Adams made the appointment of Ana Almanzar Friday as Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives, replacing former Deputy Mayor and current First Vice Mayor Sheena Wright. Almanzar will take over from her 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 statewide $25 million poverty reduction initiative, Ana has demonstrated her ability to ‘get it done’ for New Yorkers,” she added. .

Almanzar is an immigrant, at the age of 17 he came to the city and together with his family they settled in the Bushwick neighborhood, in Brooklyn, where he worked in a factory to help his parents and nine siblings.

“By moving to New York City from the Dominican Republic, she made her American dream come true, graduated from CUNY and fought for Latino rights. Ana continues this administration’s tradition of leadership by strong women, especially strong women of color, and I am delighted 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 his new title, he will lead eight Mayoral Departments: the Center for Innovation Through Data Intelligence, the City University of the City of New York, the City of New York Department of Youth and Community Development York, Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, Mayor’s Office of Equity, Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, Mayor’s Office of Nonprofits, Mayor’s Fund and Nonprofits affiliated with the city.

“It is my greatest honor to continue to serve my fellow New Yorkers in this capacity and to 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 assume the role of Vice Mayor for Strategic Initiatives with great enthusiasm. My journey from Las Palmas-Santo Domingo to the City Hall has been full of great challenges and opportunities that made me who I am and fueled my desire to help others achieve their goals and dreams. I’m ready to ‘Get Stuff’ to build a better city for all New Yorkers.”

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 Foundationleading an external relations strategy to advance the foundation’s public agenda and promote relations 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 lead 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 the Civic Engagement Program Manager, Northeast at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). At NALEO, Almanzar was responsible for developing and executing national civic engagement campaigns through multimedia and grassroots outreach efforts. He also supported citizenship applications and increased community involvement in local politics and political initiatives. Finally, Almanzar assisted with community outreach and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders and the media 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 has a master’s degree in international affairs from the Columbia University-School of International and Public Affairs.