Mayor de Blasio Appoints Alison Hirsh Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning

September 9, 2019

Hirsh, who led fights to secure paid sick leave and a $15 minimum wage, brings wealth of organizing, planning and communications experience

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed Alison Hirsh Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning. In this role, Hirsh will serve as a member of the Mayor’s Senior Cabinet and provide strategic guidance to the Mayor on a wide range of priorities, as well as develop long-term planning for the Administration. Hirsh will help the Mayor design his vision, policies and agenda. She will begin in mid-October.

“Alison is one of the most respected people in the fight for progressive ideals in this City,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Her hard work and dedication have proven unmatched as she’s helped secure win after win for New Yorkers. I’m thrilled she’ll be joining our team as we continue to build upon our progressive agenda.”

“I am excited to take on this challenging next step for me and my career,” said Alison Hirsh. “This administration has spent the last six years delivering on a wide array of progressive ideals and it’s an honor to get to help shape what’s to come. I am grateful that the Mayor is giving me this opportunity to serve the people of New York City and to get important work done, and I'm looking forward to joining the team at City Hall.” 

Hirsh brings nearly two decades of experience fighting for progressive priorities in labor, advocacy and government. She spent the last 12 years at 32BJ SEIU, most recently as Vice President and Political Director. She led and organized on campaigns including the Fight for 15, Fair Workweek legislation and prevailing wage protections. Hirsh formerly served as Policy & Legislative Director for the New York League of Conservation Voters, where she helped lead the first campaign for congestion pricing and the landmark Solid Waste Management Plan that helped confront decades of environmental racism.

She was raised in Baltimore, MD, and has a degree in Religion from Columbia University. She sits on the board of Avodah, an organization which connects young Jewish professionals with opportunities in the social justice field.