Leadership

Sideya Sherman, 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 NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ) and has over 10 years of experience in government and politics. She most recently served as Senior Advisor for Strategic Planning, Operations, and Sustainability to former NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray, helping to craft the strategy and implementation plan for TRIE in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic; overseeing the operations and transition for Cities Thrive, a national coalition of more than 220 cities and counties working together to build a stronger, better-funded, and more integrated approach to behavioral health; and advancing other local policies affecting children and families. Negash previously served in multiple roles within the NYC Mayor's Office including Chief of Staff and Interim Chief Service Officer at NYC Service, a division dedicated to advancing volunteerism and civic engagement in NYC. Prior to joining the NYC Mayor's Office, Negash was Deputy Director of the Fund for Public Advocacy, supported several political campaigns, and served in the Obama White House. 

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

Ashley Ross-Teel is the Chief Content Officer for the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ). Ross-Teel has been a vital communications leader for several Administrations during the City's hardest times, and today continues on in helping lead our city's efforts to rebuild and recover with equity. As the MOERJ Chief Content Officer, she advances the office's mission and objectives. Leading the strategic development, practical application, and ongoing tactical management of MOERJ across City agencies. Working with the MOERJ umbrella agencies management teams, City Agency partners, and City Hall, as well as with external stakeholders, she oversees content production, activation development, and other high-impact strategies to help the MOERJ achieve its maximum impact and reach millions of New Yorkers. 

Utilizing her skills as a seasoned strategist and communications professional, she creates engaging programming that amplifies awareness around critical community resources. Her multi-dimensional approach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work centers social impact and racial justice. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic she's been integral in establishing vital initiatives and development projects for BIPOC audiences. 

Ross-Teel's decades-long career includes senior positions at some of the nation's most iconic institutions and multicultural organizations. Her experience runs the gamut from leading racial justice programs to developing nationally lauded experiential campaigns. Throughout her career she has used her talents to develop strategic campaigns and targeted programs that engage audiences through multimedia experiences. She's currently pursuing a graduate degree in Organizational Development & Knowledge Management for Public Policy, and she's a proud graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications.

Aura Jimenez, Administrative Coordinator [She/Her/Hers]

Aura Jimenez serves as an Administrative Coordinator within the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ). In this role, she works closely with leadership to provide operational and administrative support. Jimenez previously worked at the John A. Hartford Foundation as Office Manager/Executive Assistant to the President. She is currently a Masters of Public Administration candidate at the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. Jimenez is also a graduate of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, where she earned her B.A. in Political Science and Peace and Global Studies. 

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.