Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed 13 members to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), a governing board that oversees many decisions affecting NYC public schools, ahead of the panel’s inaugural 2026-27 meeting on Wednesday.
According to the mayor’s office, the slate of panelists include both returning and newly appointed members to PEP, all of who will have responsibilities ranging from voting on contracts, approving various changes and holding public meetings for parents, students, teachers and the community.
“Public schools belong to New Yorkers, and the families, students and educators who make them what they are deserve a real voice in the decisions that shape them,” Mamdani said. “The Panel for Educational Policy has a vital responsibility to help guide our school system with transparency and accountability. I am grateful to these members for stepping up to serve our city and for bringing the experience and commitment our students deserve.”
While the 13 members were newly appointed, the entire PEP has 24 members representing various neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs.
According to the DOE, most PEP members include former educators such as teachers and principals, advocates and specialists in their varying fields.
“The Panel for Educational Policy is a critical partner in ensuring that the voices of families and communities are heard and reflected in the decisions that shape our schools,” Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said. “Meaningful collaboration with the Panel strengthens transparency, accountability and our shared commitment to putting children first. I look forward to working alongside our new members in service of every child and the future of public education.”
The new PEP appointees
These are members Mamdani appointed to the PEP on Tuesday, per a press release from the mayor’s office.
Karla Cordero serves as Chief of Staff at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, where she guides the organization’s strategic direction and organizational change initiatives. Before joining WE ACT, she spent 12 years in New York City government, developing policies and programs serving underserved communities across social services, sustainability and economic development.
Tariq Khan works in budget and finance for the MTA. He has spent more than 29 years at MTA NYC Transit, serving in roles including budget analysis manager, maintenance program manager, principal transportation planner, computer specialist and associate staff analyst.
Mehrain Mahdi is an education advocate and parent leader who served on the School Leadership Team at a District 2 school, where she established an after-school Spanish program. She is also the founder of Little Leaping Leaders, a leadership and enrichment program for young girls.
Alan Ong is a longtime parent and community leader in Queens. He previously served as a PTA president before joining the Community Education Council (CEC) District 26, where he later served as president. Ong has held numerous leadership positions while advocating on education, civic and community issues.
Amy Fair is a community advocate and educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in higher education administration. She serves as director of strategic initiatives and special projects at NYU Steinhardt, where she oversees operational planning, cross-functional initiatives, emergency preparedness and institutional projects.
Courtney Rajwani is a managing consultant at The Lewin Group. She previously served as executive director for policy development and support in the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Division of Early Childhood Education during the de Blasio administration. Rajwani began her career at an educational nonprofit in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Crystal Vera-Montalvo has served as director of community educational engagement at the College of Staten Island (CSI) since 2018. She oversees CUNY continuing education English as a Second Language and GED programs, along with lifelong learning programs for older adults and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Marjorie Dienstag is a mother of three whose children have attended both public and private schools in New York City, including a current student in a District 75 school.
Lucas Koehler is chief financial officer at the Foundation for City College, where he oversees financial management for a $500 million endowment. He previously played a key role in expanding New York City’s early childhood education system and worked at the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget and as a seventh-grade math teacher in the Bronx.
Primo Lasana is chief impact officer at the Forum for Youth Investment. He previously served as executive director of Reading Partners and director of new site development at iMentor. Lasana also serves as chair of the Finance and Development Committee of the Kings County Hospital Community Advisory Board and previously served as first vice chair of Brooklyn Community Board 9.
Kristin Jefferson is a senior education consultant at Teaching Matters and founder of KJ-Ed Solutions LLC. She previously served as academic director and network multilingual learner coordinator at Explore Charter Schools and as director of recruitment in the New York City Department of Education’s Office of New Schools.
Dr. Maddy Fox is an associate professor of Children and Youth Studies and Sociology at Brooklyn College. She is also a faculty member in urban education and critical psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center and a founding researcher with the Public Science Project.
Raysa Rodriguez is the executive director of Citizens’ Committee for Children (CCC) of New York. A lifelong child advocate, she has spent more than two decades advancing equity in education, housing, child welfare and economic justice.