STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed five New Yorkers to head up key core agencies across city government, including a prominent Staten Islander.
Mamdani announced Yesenia Mata, executive director of La Colmena in Port Richmond, as commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services on Saturday. He said she is the first Latina to serve in the role.
Yesenia Mata, executive director for La Colmena. speaks at a press conference in which Jesus, a local National Guard soldier, spoke about the allege detainment of his stepfather during a press conference at La Colmena Center in Port Richmond on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
“New York City is built on the often unseen work of public servants who show up every day to care for our neighbors, support our young people, and make government work for the people who rely on it most. Today, we are entrusting five dedicated leaders with the responsibility to carry that work forward,” said Mamdani. “I hope New Yorkers see the impact of their leadership in young people growing into happy and healthy adults, in justice that is administered fairly across our city, and in a government that listens, responds, and treats every person with dignity.”
Mata is an established advocate for both immigrants and veterans, and also serves as a Military Police sergeant in the U.S. Army.
Born in Chicago, Ill., Mata moved to Staten Island in 2016. When she was working as Sen. Bernie Sanders’ national Latino outreach strategist, she learned more about New York City, and was drawn to Staten Island.
Yesenia Mata’s military career recently reached a when she proudly took the oath as a newly commissioned captain in the U.S. Army.Courtesy of Liam Mejia
Mata represents Staten Island as a member of the New York City Racial Justice Commission. She previously organized Latino communities in Chicago, Arizona, New York, Pennsylvania, California and Florida as the former National Latino outreach strategist for Sanders’ presidential campaign and served as the political director for the Dream Action Coalition, a national organization that advocates for immigration reform.
She has been recognized by City & State as top 100 in Labor and top 100 Staten Islander, and by the New York State Hispanic Coalition as a “40 under 40 Rising Star.” Mata received an Associate of Arts in legal assistant and paralegal work, a Bachelor of Arts in business administration, and an M.B.A. in human resources from Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
Yesenia Mata’s military career recently reached a peak when she proudly took the oath as a newly commissioned captain in the U.S. Army last summer.Courtesy of Liam Mejia
Mata’s military career recently reached a peak when she proudly took the oath as a newly commissioned captain in the U.S. Army last summer.
Mata comes from a proud military family: her older brother served in the Iraq War, and her nephews are currently serving in the U.S. Air Force and Marines.
Her role as commissioner
At the Department of Veteran’s Services, Mata will help connect the city’s veterans to housing, health care, entrepreneurship and supportive services. She will ensure that New Yorkers who protected their city as a member of the Armed Forces can continue to live there as a veteran afterwards.
“I am deeply honored to accept the role of commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services and grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Arteaga for their leadership and trust,” said Mata. “Service has been the foundation of my life — both in the military and in my work with immigrant and veteran communities. As commissioner, I am committed to ensuring that every veteran and military family in New York City is seen, supported and empowered. Our responsibility to those who serve does not end when the uniform comes off, and I am ready to serve them with the dedication, care, and respect they deserve.”
Yesenia Mata, Executive Director of La Colmena, listens to the stories of two married couples staying at a migrant shelter on Staten Island at the organization’s Stapleton office on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Jason PaderonJason Paderon
Said Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO, The New York Immigration Coalition: “Yesenia Mata is a powerful leader in the immigrant rights movement and a U.S. Army Officer — a living reminder that immigrants and the children of immigrants serve and uphold the Constitution every day. She has stood alongside immigrant service members, military families facing deportation, and deported veterans whose stories are too often ignored.”
“Yesenia brings the credibility, compassion, and leadership this moment demands. In a time when the contributions of immigrant service members are often invisible, she ensures their voices and struggles are seen, recognized and supported,” he added.
Frankie Miranda, president and CEO, Hispanic Federation also congratulated Mata on her appointment.
“Yesenia Mata … is a remarkable Latina leader whose life embodies the values of our community — dedication, service, and leadership. Latinos have long served across every branch of the U.S. military, yet their contributions are too often unseen. Through her service as a U.S. Army officer and her leadership in the immigrant rights movement, Yesenia shows what it truly means to lead, serve, and represent our community. She reminds us that the military is not just a place of duty, but also where Latino culture, values, and leadership thrive,” he said.
Mamdani also appointed Dr. Alister Martin as commissioner of the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Stanley Richards as commissioner of the city Department of Correction, the first formerly incarcerated individual to serve in this position; Sandra Escamilla-Davies as commissioner of the city Department of Youth and Community Development; and Vilda Vera Mayuga as commissioner of the city Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.