Today, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine announced the formation of the senior staff team who will perform the broad range of operations.
This senior team falls under the purview of the office and assists in implementing his policy agenda for the borough.
“I am tremendously proud to announce this extremely talented team that brings a broad range of experience and backgrounds which truly reflect the great diversity of Manhattan to our office,” said Borough President Mark Levine. “Our team is ready to work together with Manhattanites from every neighborhood to ensure this borough comes back healthier, stronger, and more equitable than ever.”
The full list of appointees are below:
Keisha Sutton-James, Deputy Borough President
Keisha Sutton-James will join the Levine administration as Deputy Borough President. Most recently, she served as Campaign Manager for Alvin Bragg for Manhattan District Attorney in the history-making campaign where she helped elect the first Black Manhattan District Attorney. In prior roles, she worked in the JP Morgan Private Bank and with Inner City Broadcasting Corp.; and founded a consultancy focused on social justice, diversity and equity, Sutton Button Productions, LLC. Keisha has also served on boards such as Alliance for Women in Media, Harlem Community Development Corp, and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.
Aya Keefe, Deputy Borough President
Aya Keefe will join BP Levine’s team as the Deputy Borough President. Most recently, she has been Council Member Levine’s chief of staff, developing and implementing the office’s strategic priorities as well as overseeing daily operations. Previously, she served as a senior analyst and a Presidential Fellow Manager at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, advising the Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. She received her B.A. in economics from SUNY Purchase and her Masters in Public Administration as a Dean Scholar from NYU’s Wagner School.
Elaine Cheung, Chief of Operations
Elaine Cheung will join the Manhattan Borough President’s Office as Chief of Operations. She has over a decade of experience in local government, most recently serving as Chief of Staff for a member of the City Council. She is currently a CUNY ISLG Kriegel Fellow and holds a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College.
Chris Carroll, Advisor to the BP; Policy Director
Chris Carroll will join the MBPO as Advisor to the Borough President and Policy Director. He most recently worked in government affairs, as well as in organized labor as Chief of Staff of Local 802 AFM, where he led legislative campaigns and served as a member of negotiating committees of major performance contracts.
Adele Bartlett, General Counsel
Adele Bartlett is the Borough President’s General Counsel, having served in that capacity during the last three years of the prior administration. Before that, she was Deputy General Counsel and Deputy Policy Director, concentrating on housing issues. Prior to working for New York City, she worked in legal services organizations, representing low-income tenants facing eviction and living in inadequate housing. While doing so, she supervised and trained other attorneys.
Tricia Shimamura, Community Affairs Director
Tricia Shimamura is joining the Manhattan Borough President’s Office as the Director of Community Affairs. Prior to the MBPO, Tricia worked as Director of Government Affairs at Columbia University. She also worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. Tricia received her BA from Kenyon College and Masters of Social Work from New York University.
Lizette Chaparro, Director of Land-Use and Planning
Lizette Chaparro will join the Levine administration as Director of Land Use and Planning, having served in that role under former MBP Brewer. Lizette has a background in affordable housing development and community engagement in East Harlem, Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen, and Chelsea. She graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in Urban Studies and earned an M.A. in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University.
Amy Slattery, Director of Budget and Capital Projects
Amy Slattery will join the Manhattan Borough President’s office as the Director of Budget and Capital Projects. Most recently, Amy was the Legislative Budget Director for 8 years for then Council Member Mark Levine. Prior to that, she worked for a New York State Assembly Member, worked at various nonprofit organizations doing fundraising, and spent 8 years in the nonprofit audit practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Elka Morety, Director of Scheduling
Elka Morety will join the Levine Administration as Director of Scheduling. She has served the Manhattan Borough President’s Office for the past 3 years as a Community Associate and previously served as Scheduler at the NYS Senate. She has a B.A. from Fordham University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Mariel De La Cruz, Director of Events and Partnerships
Mariel has joined the team as Director of Events and Partnerships. Prior, she was the Bronx Borough Director/ Northern Manhattan Rep. for City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. As of June 2021, she became the new Democratic District Leader for the 72 AD Part B.
Kyshia Smith: Director of Constituent Affairs
Kyshia Smith will join the Manhattan Borough President’s Office as the Northern Manhattan Office Director. As a longtime member of Team Levine, she most recently served as Community Relations Director for Council District 7 in the New York City Council. Kyshia holds an M.A in Government and Politics from St. John’s University.
Deirdre Lyles, Director of Human Resources
Deirdre Lyles will join the Levine administration as the director of human resources. Deirdre has 20 years of City government experience having previously served with Gale Brewer’s administration and working at the NYC Department of Probation and the NYC Housing Authority.
Athena Moore, Interim Director of the Northern Manhattan Office
Athena Moore has served for the past 8 years as Director of the Northern Manhattan Office overseeing constituent services and strategic community partnerships. Ms. Moore is committed to supporting a seamless transition as a continuing part of the senior leadership team. Ms. Moore brings over 25 years experience as a coalition builder, former non-profit executive, and health and human services expert. She has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management.
Winthrop Roosevelt, Communications Director
Winthrop Roosevelt joined the Office of Manhattan Borough President after serving in the same role in Mark Levine’s City Council office over the past three years. He received his MPP from Northeastern University in 2008. He lives in the UWS with his dog, Tisbury.
Click here for more information regarding Mark Levine.
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