As Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin approach their first 100 days in office, the policy conversations driving City Hall are already influencing how business, nonprofit, and civic leaders are planning for the months ahead. From commercial real estate to the nonprofit sector, our team has been closely tracking these developments and advising clients on how new priorities may impact strategy and engagement across New York.

Below is a look at how those conversations are playing out across our work.

A View From the Top

Insights from Suri Kasirer

“As the City Council settles into a new term, Speaker Julie Menin has begun outlining focus areas affecting New Yorkers across all five boroughs. From her proactive land use agenda to fiscal oversight and community safety initiatives, the Council has already begun signaling where it intends to focus in the coming months.

In recent weeks, Speaker Menin has started to put both her leadership team and policy priorities into place, laying out an early framework for how the Council will operate under her leadership. She announced key appointments across the Council, including Nantasha Williams as Deputy Speaker and Shaun Abreu as Majority Leader, while naming Bronx Council Member Kevin Riley to lead the Council’s Land Use Committee and Queens Council Member Linda Lee to chair the influential Finance Committee. 

At the same time, the Council has begun weighing in on the city’s fiscal outlook. In its latest economic and tax revenue forecast, Council leadership identified roughly $1.7 billion in additional revenue and potential savings this fiscal year, suggesting the city may be able to avoid drawing down the Revenue Stabilization Fund (a.k.a. the Rainy Day Fund), which Mayor Mamdani proposed tapping in his preliminary budget.

Alongside these discussions, Menin has begun advancing a package of buffer zone bills aimed at protecting access to houses of worship and schools, an effort aimed at ensuring these spaces remain safe and accessible for the communities they serve.

Together, these early moves suggest the Council intends to play an active role in driving the policy conversation alongside the Mayor’s agenda. For business, nonprofit, and civic leaders, it underscores the importance of staying closely engaged with the Council as the local policy landscape continues to evolve.”

Suri Kasirer CEO, Kasirer

In The News: 

Suri unpacked the latest from Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days, breaking down how his policy priorities are poised to impact working professionals across NYC, including universal child care and the broader commercial real estate market.

Additionally, our SVP of Real Estate, Eldad Gothelf, was featured in Commercial Observer in a Q&A highlighting his leadership of the firm’s real estate practice and what he’s watching most closely as 2026 progresses.

• Commercial Observer: Eldad Gothelf of Kasirer: 5 Questions

• Commercial Observer: Mamdani vs. Commercial Real Estate: The Death of a Narrative

• Crain’s New York Business: Politicos outline new rules of engagement at City Hall for business leaders

• USA Today: Mamdani might actually pull off universal childcare in NYC | Opinion

• The Real Deal: Election-year state-vs-city politics are affecting Mamdani’s first days in office

Kasirer Highlights: 

Suri Kasirer x JCRC-NY Congressional Breakfast

Suri spoke at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York’s annual Congressional Breakfast, joining members of New York’s congressional delegation alongside community leaders for a candid discussion on key policy priorities impacting communities across NY 

Nonprofit Webinar with TakeTwo and BDO

Kasirer co-hosted a webinar with TakeTwo Services and BDO on February 4th titled How to Secure an NYC Council Discretionary Grant, designed to help nonprofits new to the discretionary funding process better understand eligibility requirements, application strategy, and how to prepare competitive submissions. Click here to listen to the full session.

Crain’s New York Business Power Breakfast

Suri joined Crain’s New York Business’ Power Breakfast alongside Emma Wolfe, Bradley Tusk and Evan Thies to discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days, highlighting the importance of balancing ideology with pragmatism and ensuring strong support for New York City’s nonprofit community.

Client Highlights:

• Rabina: New York City Council approved 395 Flatbush Ave Ext., a major Rabina and Park Tower Group development that will bring more than 1,200 new homes to Downtown Brooklyn, including 25% affordable housing. The project will also deliver public open space, job creation, and subway entrance upgrades.

• “I Have a Dream” Foundation: The organization’s President and CEO Sarah E. Morgenthau rang the Closing Bell® at the New York Stock Exchange to kick off their 45th anniversary year, bringing together scholars, alumni, and business and civic leaders to celebrate decades of impact supporting young people and families from first grade through first job. Kasirer is proud to support the Foundation’s mission to help young people succeed in school, in their careers, and beyond.

  
  

  

   

• The Brotherhood Sister Sol: Last month, the Brotherhood Sister Sol welcomed Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Shaun Abreu for a campus tour and community event in which Speaker Menin celebrated Council Member Abreu’s appointment to Majority Leader of the City Council. Kasirer is proud to support BroSis as they continue their deep partnership with the Council and support the City Council’s work to make childcare, after-school programming, and mental health resources accessible to all of New York’s young people

Awards & Accolades:

TRD 100 Real Estate Titans of the Year, The Real Deal | Suri Kasirer

Recognized for her and the firm’s work advancing major projects across New York City, including the 5 Times Square conversion and the Long Island City rezoning. She joins Mayor Zohran Mamdani, City Council Speaker Julie Menin, and numerous Kasirer clients on this year’s list. 

Albany Power 100, City & State | Suri Kasirer & Julie Greenberg

Recognized for their leadership advising real estate, corporate and nonprofit clients through high-stakes, complex projects.

Who’s Who in Political Consulting & Communications, City & State | Michael Braun

Recognized for launching a new advisory practice within Kasirer and for his leadership of the firm’s business development and community relations efforts.