New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has named Lina Khan as the next chair of the city’s Economic Development Board (EDB) and longtime city government official Tony Shorris as the next leader of the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC), marking major changes at one of New York’s most influential agencies.

Khan, who previously chaired the Federal Trade Commission during the Biden administration, has been a close adviser to the mayor. She also played an early role in reviewing candidates for the EDC president position.

Shorris first joined the New York City government in 1979, more than a decade before Mamdani was born. He currently serves as a partner at McKinsey \& Co and is now returning to public service to head the city’s economic development arm.

Speaking at a Wednesday press conference, Shorris reflected on his first meeting with Mamdani in the fall of 2025, saying he was inspired by the mayor’s vision for New York and the “values that animated his campaign”.

The EDC, a non-profit that serves as New York City’s official economic development agency, oversees more than 60m sq ft of property as the city’s largest landlord. Its capital division is responsible for roughly 100 active projects representing about $6bn in construction investment.

The appointments represent a significant leadership shakeup at the EDC, an agency that has faced criticism over the years for being too closely aligned with business interests. Its board is responsible for approving major projects and deals, including Hudson Yards, the High Line, the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island, and the city’s ferry system.

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Rather than appointing a deputy mayor for economic development, Mamdani had established the city’s first deputy mayor for economic justice, signaling a different approach to city hall’s role in economic development.