City Hall – Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced today that Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava will be joining her growing team as First Deputy Chief of Staff. De Leon Bhargava brings more than a decade of public service to the Speakers’ office, most recently as Deputy Commissioner of the Neighborhood Development Division at the New York City Department of Small Business Services, the New York State Department of Labor and the New York State Attorney General’s office.

De Leon Bhargava said: “I am thrilled to be joining Speaker Mark-Viverito’s office and the Council as we work to build affordable housing, close the income inequality gap and deliver fully-paid universal pre-k for all New Yorkers. Throughout my career working with New York’s immigrant communities, in labor and employment, with consumers and fighting housing discrimination, I have fought to make sure all New Yorkers get a fair shot and I am looking forward to continuing that with Speaker Mark-Viverito.”

Speaker Mark-Viverito said: “Elizabeth has a long career in public service and her experience will be invaluable to the City Council. Whether it’s working in economic development or commercial revitalization while at Small Business Services or as the Assistant Commissioner at the New York State Department of Labor, Elizabeth has made standing up for New Yorkers her top priority and I know she will continue to do the same in the City Council.”

About Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava:

Before joining the City Council, de Leon Bhargava served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Neighborhood Development Division at the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS). Prior to SBS, de Leon Bhargava was appointed Associate Commissioner for the New York State Department of Labor by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in January 2011. In her role as Associate Commissioner, she was responsible for the reorganization of a $9.2 billion agency with some 4,000 employees. In addition, de Leon Bhargava served an Assistant Deputy Counselor in the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Office of the Attorney General. She conducted investigations and prosecutions concerning civil rights and consumer fraud matters, and spearheaded initiatives concerning protections for survivors of human trafficking and the preservation of affordable housing. In 2003, she graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Law. She was raised in Washington Heights and lives in New York City.
###