07/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2024 14:38
July 16, 2024
NEW YORK- New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of Ahsia Badi as the executive director of the New York City Children's Cabinet. The Cabinet's objective is to increase coordination and efficiency across city agencies, mayoral offices, nonprofits, and the private sector to drive a holistic, family-centered approach for the sustained health, safety, and well-being of children. "When we invest in our children, we invest in the future and the endless potential within our city," said Mayor Adams. "The Children's Cabinet plays a foundational role in ensuring that our city government works with each and every sector to ensure that our children have every possible resource needed to thrive. With a proven track record of success, Ahsia Badi has the compassion and career experience necessary to build a coalition worthy enough to build the best possible city for our children. We're excited to have her serve as our first-ever executive director." "I'm thrilled to welcome Ahsia Badi as the Adams administration's Children's Cabinet executive director," saidDeputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar."Ahsia has a proven ability to work with and across multiple city agencies, as well as with key external stakeholders, to serve New Yorkers in need. Her experience and expertise in the fields of health, education, and social services will be invaluable to the Children's Cabinet, as it continues to develop creative policy and program solutions for long-standing issues facing vulnerable youth and families." "Since joining the deputy mayor for health and human services team, Ahsia worked to amplify the voices of advocates across issue areas, from youth homelessness to child welfare and our older adult community," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. "She is deeply thoughtful in how she approaches tough issues, weighing equities of stakeholders, building relationships, and driving toward policies and practices that are inclusive and built by the community they will impact. I will miss her as part of our team but know that she will continue to make positive change in her new role." "Ahsia Badi has been an outstanding partner to our agency, supporting our work around runaway and homeless youth, including the Opportunity Starts with a Home initiative to end youth homelessness," said New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard. "As a member agency of the Children's Cabinet, DYCD is thrilled Ahsia will oversee the coordination of government and community partners, and help us collectively carry out Mayor Adams' forward vision for our youngest New Yorkers."About Ahsia Badi
Ahsia Badi brings over 15 years of experience across public health, child development, and supporting marginalized communities. Before this role, Badi served as a senior advisor to the deputy mayor for health and human services, providing support across multiple agencies including the ACS and DYCD's Runaway and Homeless Youth program. Prior to joining city service, Badi held key positions in large-scale public health programs at institutions including the New York Academy of Medicine, Columbia University, and Stanford University. Additionally, she played integral roles in wide-reaching campaigns focused on Census 2020 with Emgage and the New York State Redistricting Commission. As a clinically trained occupational therapist, Badi possesses a deep understanding of child development and the unique needs of children and youth. With extensive experience in community-based early intervention and New York City's public schools, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to empowering youth, parents, and teachers to navigate complex environments and classrooms that foster success and inclusion of all. Badi earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and International Studies from Ohio State University and a Master's in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Badi will report to Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Almanzar. "I congratulate my friend Ahsia Badi on her historic appointment as executive director of the New York City Children's Cabinet," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar."I have witnessed her extraordinary leadership and commitment to public service over the years. Ahsia brings to the office a distinguished career, spanning more than 20 years with accomplishments such as spearheading children's health programs at Stanford and Columbia, Muslim American community outreach for the 2020 Census, and serving as a senior advisor to the deputy mayor of health and human services. She has a record of giving back to her community, serving for over a decade on Manhattan Community Board Six. Under her leadership, the cabinet will unite all city offices, nonprofits, and the private sector to advance the welfare and safety of our children better than ever before. As the first South Asian woman elected to New York State Office, I am especially proud that her appointment demonstrates our commitment to an administration that reflects the diversity of our 'Gorgeous Mosaic.'"