Bloomberg Businessweek NYC Power Broker to Help Guide Mamdani Transition
Dec 18, 2025
Kathy Wylde, the outgoing president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, joins the conversation to share insights on her role in Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team. She discusses the challenges of a looming $10 billion deficit and the importance of robust economic development. Kathy highlights Mamdani's evolving approach with business leaders, emphasizing data-backed discussions. She also addresses the delicate balance of housing policies, advocating for rent stability while incentivizing private-sector housing supply. Her perspective sheds light on the collaboration needed between government and the business community.
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Youth Turnout Brought New Momentum
- Zohran Mamdani energized 170,000 new, mostly younger voters and brought fresh momentum to city politics.
- Kathy Wylde argues seasoned advisors should help channel that energy into practical governing steps.
Coordinate All Government Levels
- Work across federal, state and city levels to solve big affordability and service funding problems.
- Kathy Wylde recommends coordinated action because cities alone cannot fix entitlement or Medicaid funding gaps.
Campaign Rhetoric Gave Way To Nuance
- Mamdani has shown a rapid evolution from one-liners to data-driven nuance when meeting CEOs.
- Wylde says he now asks substantive questions and recognizes trade-offs like tax impacts on jobs.