Leadership

Sideya Sherman, NYC Chief Equity Officer & Commissioner [She/Her/Hers]

Sideya Sherman, Chief Equity Officer & Commissioner

Sideya Sherman is the NYC Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner. Recently, she served as commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Equity, bringing nearly two decades of equity-focused community and economic development experience to the role after serving as executive director of the New York City Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity (TRIE) and executive vice president for community engagement and partnerships at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). With TRIE, Sherman worked across over 60 city agencies and offices to advance new programs, policies, and initiatives that center equity in the city’s ongoing pandemic response and recovery. At NYCHA, she implemented new high-impact resident programs, established innovative, cross-sector partnerships, and garnered new resources to support resident health, social services, youth, economic opportunity, and community engagement initiatives. 
 
Prior to her career in government, Sherman served diverse communities in the nonprofit sector, working at the Municipal Art Society of New York, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the Lower East Side Business Improvement District. 
 
She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Utica College and a master’s degree in urban affairs from Hunter College. 

Dabash Negash, Deputy Commissioner [She/Her/Hers]

Dabash Negash is the Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), where she is committed to advancing racial equity and promoting social justice across the city. With fifteen years of experience in government and politics, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for creating equitable policies that uplift marginalized communities. 

In her previous role as Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning, Operations, and Sustainability to former NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray, Negash played a pivotal role in developing the strategy and implementation plan for the Taskforce on Inclusion & Equity (TRIE) in May 2020, a critical initiative launched during the pandemic to address systemic inequities. She also oversaw the operations and transition for Cities Thrive, a national coalition of over 220 cities and counties dedicated to improving behavioral health services and fostering inclusive support systems for all residents. 

Throughout her career in the New York City Mayor's Office, Negash has held several key positions, including Chief of Staff and Interim Chief Service Officer at NYC Service, where she advanced initiatives to enhance volunteerism and civic engagement, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Prior to her work in the Mayor's Office, she served as Deputy Director of the Fund for Public Advocacy, supported numerous political campaigns, and contributed to the Obama White House, furthering her commitment to equity and justice. 

Negash’s leadership reflects a steadfast dedication to dismantling systemic barriers and promoting racial equity, ensuring that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to thrive. 

Ashley Ross-Teel, Chief Content Officer [She/Her/Hers]

Ashley Ross-Teel is the Chief Content Officer for the New York City Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), where she plays a crucial role in promoting racial equity and empowering the city's diverse communities. As a vital communications leader during some of the City's most challenging times, Ross-Teel is dedicated to guiding efforts to rebuild and recover with an equity-focused approach. 

In her role at MOERJ, she advances the office's mission by leading the strategic development along with communications initiatives and culture management across City agencies. Collaborating closely with management teams, City Agency partners, and external stakeholders, she oversees content production and activation strategies designed to maximize the impact of MOERJ's work, reaching millions of New Yorkers and amplifying voices that have historically been marginalized. 

A seasoned strategist and communications professional, Ross-Teel creates engaging programming that raises awareness around critical resources, with a strong emphasis on supporting BIPOC communities. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been integral in launching vital initiatives aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by these communities. 

With decades of experience at some of the nation’s most iconic institutions and multicultural organizations, Ross-Teel has led racial justice programs and developed nationally recognized campaigns that engage audiences through multimedia experiences. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Organizational Development & Knowledge Management for Public Policy, she holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.  

Aura Jimenez, Executive Operations Manager [She/Her/Hers]

Aura Jimenez is the Executive Operations Manager at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), where she oversees the executive office's operational functions. In this role, she collaborates closely with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Chiefs, and unit leadership to ensure smooth and efficient office operations. Jimenez also spearheads special projects and works across MOERJ’s divisions, including the Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), the Young Men’s Initiative (YMI), and the Unity Project. Before joining MOERJ, Jimenez served as Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the President at the John A. Hartford Foundation. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. Jimenez holds a B.A. in Political Science and Peace and Global Studies from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. 

Delilah Tyson, Chief Administrative Officer [She/Her/Hers]

Delilah Tyson serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ). With over 20 years of dedicated experience, she has honed her expertise in human resources, finance, IT oversight, and the administration of commercial, low-income, and special needs housing projects. Deeply knowledgeable about social service programs, Tyson is adept in the funding, contracting, and experienced in the NYC Human Resources Administration’s program requirements.

Prior to joining MOERJ, Tyson served as the South Bronx representative on the NYC Supportive Housing Network, where she stayed informed about social services and programs for individuals and families in need. A senior operations and administrative officer, she was a key member of the leadership team at the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, known locally as SoBro. Initially joining the organization in 2002 as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the President/CEO, Tyson rose through the ranks to Director of Operations and later the Chief Administrative Officer.

A careered executive, Tyson also previously served as the Director of Operations at Clinton Housing Development Company, where she managed daily organizational operations with an annual operating budget of $15 million. There, she supervised the management and maintenance of over 450 units of affordable, market-rate, and special needs housing and was responsible for cultivating partnerships with city agencies and community residents. Additionally, Tyson was the Senior Administrative Manager for the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, where she ensured that the community received a fair share of business opportunities, neighborhood events, and beautification efforts.

Born and raised in Harlem, Tyson continues to dedicate her time to local community-based organizations, assisting them in various capacities.

Peggy Chan, Chief of Staff [She/Her/Hers]

Peggy Chan is the Chief of Staff at the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice. She has over 15 years of progressive experience in government administration, developing laws, policies, and services for children and families from under-resourced communities in New York City. She began her career as a litigator in the child welfare area, served as a legislative counsel at the New York City Council, and oversaw policy and program development in the juvenile justice division at the New York City Administration for Children's Services. Peggy last served as an impartial hearing officer in special education law, adjudicating cases involving children with disabilities.

Peggy is passionate about understanding human conditions and finding ways to build a more compassionate, inclusive, and interconnected world. She is trained as a life coach, meditation teacher, sound healer, and energy healer. Peggy loves to learn and share tools with friends and colleagues to help them find a balance in today's ever-changing world. She received her bachelor's and law degrees from New York University.

Drashti Brahmbhatt, Director of Equity Planning and Technical Assistance/Training [She/Her/Hers]

Drashti Brahmbhatt is the Director of Equity Planning and Technical Assistance/Training at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (MOERJ). Born and raised in Queens, New York she is most passionate about combatting income and racial inequality, as well as building public trust in government.

Prior to MOERJ, she served as the Director of Participatory Budgeting at the NYC Civic Engagement Commission. In this capacity, she led the city’s first citywide participatory budgeting program, empowering New Yorkers 11 and older to decide how to spend part of the city’s budget. Drashti also campaign managed for a local City Council electoral campaign, consulted for the Center for Popular Democracy, and interned for the United Nations. By advancing her fluency in Gujarati, Hindi, Spanish, and Turkish, Drashti has dedicated herself to learning about social and political movements across the world directly from those leading them. Drashti holds a B.A. in International Relations from Brown University and M.P.A. in Urban Policy from Columbia University.

Nicole Joseph, Program Manager [She/Her/Hers]

Nicole Joseph, program manager for the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), has over 10 years of experience across community-based organizations and government institutions. From ideation to implementation, she works closely with executive leadership to drive initiatives that increase racial equity and partners across critical City agencies to develop integral programs for diverse communities.  

Joseph previously worked at the Mayor's Public Engagement Unit (PEU) as research & policy analyst where she provided strategic planning, conducted health and immigration policy reviews, and established City agency partnerships for the GetCoveredNYC health insurance referral outreach program.  

In the spring of 2020, Joseph became a member of the NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity (TRIE). There she served on the COVID-Related Health Care Access Subcommittee, and later the TRIE Vaccine Equity Subcommittee, to collaborate with City agency leaders of color in addressing access to COVID-19 resources and information. In 2019, Joseph served as lead manager for the Mayor's Executive Order 40 initiative. She established partnerships with 30+ City agencies that provided health insurance enrollment information, referrals, and vital services to New Yorkers in need. Joseph also partnered with the NYC Health+Hospitals System to expand the reach of their affordable public healthcare initiative, the NYC Care program. Joseph is a proud native New Yorker of Caribbean descent, and alumna of Spelman College and Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.