Former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan has been appointed as the new chair of the New York City Economic Development Corporation by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Key Points

• Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Lina Khan to lead the board of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.
• Anthony Shorris, a former deputy mayor and McKinsey & Co. partner, will serve as the organization's CEO.
• Khan gained national prominence for her aggressive antitrust litigation against major technology companies during her tenure at the FTC.
• The EDC is responsible for promoting New York City as a business hub while managing infrastructure and neighborhood development projects.
• The appointment follows Mamdani’s election on a Democratic Socialist platform, which has drawn criticism from some local business leaders.

Why it Matters

This appointment signals a significant shift in New York City’s economic strategy toward more aggressive regulatory oversight and social equity goals. It remains to be seen how Khan’s background in antitrust enforcement will influence the city's relationship with major corporations and its broader commercial development agenda.