New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Lina Khan, the former Federal Trade Commission chair known for pursuing antitrust action against major technology firms, as chair of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The move, described as a surprise, underlines the leftward direction Mamdani has taken since becoming mayor of the largest US city, and places a prominent critic of corporate power in charge of steering the city's economic development strategy.

Mamdani praised Khan for having "fought exploitation and dishonesty in courtrooms and classrooms across the country" and said she would help ensure justice underpins the administration's economic work. Khan, who first gained attention in 2017 with a Yale Law School thesis arguing Amazon was a monopoly, said the EDC had a "vital role" in making the city more affordable, efficient and resilient. Anthony Shorris, a former deputy mayor, has been named EDC chief executive alongside her. The appointment comes over six months into Mamdani's term, during which business leaders have voiced concern that his policies could drive companies out of the city, though no significant corporate exodus has materialised, with commercial occupancy, retail spending and transit use gradually recovering towards pre-pandemic levels.