Bangladeshi-origin Zara Rahim named to Mamdani's all-female transition team
Bangladeshi-origin communications strategist Zara Rahim has been appointed to New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s all-female transition team, which will help shape his incoming administration ahead of his inauguration on January 1, 2026.
Zara Rahim, who has been serving as a senior adviser to Mamdani since February 2025, is part of a four-member team comprising Maya Handa, Tascha Van Auken, and Faiza Ali—each of whom played critical roles in Mamdani’s historic mayoral campaign that culminated in his landmark victory earlier this week, according to US media reports.
A Bangladeshi-American Success Story-
Born and raised in South Florida, Rahim is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Bangladesh in the early 1980s. Her inclusion in Mamdani’s team has drawn attention as a significant milestone for South Asians and Bangladeshi-Americans in US politics.
Before joining Mamdani’s campaign, Rahim worked closely with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus at the Yunus Centre in Dhaka, where she focused on social business communication. Her experience spans both political and corporate sectors — she served as Florida’s Digital Content Director for Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign and later joined the White House Office of Digital Strategy.
Rahim also played senior communications roles at Uber, Vogue, and The Wing, and was part of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, where she worked on digital outreach and messaging strategies.
Mamdani’s Inclusive Transition Team-
Mamdani, the first Muslim and South Asian to be elected mayor of New York City, has emphasised diversity and gender inclusion in his leadership approach. His decision to form an all-female transition team signals a broader commitment to empowering women and minority voices in governance.
In a statement following the announcement, Mamdani said his team would “set the tone for an administration rooted in justice, equality, and representation,” adding that the women chosen “represent the future of progressive leadership.”
Political analysts noted that Rahim’s deep experience in digital strategy and public engagement is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Mamdani’s communications and outreach efforts as he transitions from campaign mode to governance.
Rahim’s appointment marks another step forward for Bangladeshi-Americans in US public life, following a wave of increased participation by South Asian professionals in political and civic leadership roles across the country.
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