PLEASE NOTE: The 2026 Yonkers Power List is a third-draft snapshot of the individuals who currently influence the direction of New York’s third-largest city — from elected officials and senior administrators to developers, educators, business leaders, union voices, media figures, and grassroots organizers. This list reflects the city’s ongoing revitalization and the people influencing how tax dollars are spent and how Yonkers grows.
PLEASE CONTRIBUTE: Suggestions are welcome. If you believe someone important is missing or should be added or updated, please send details. This is a living document, and community input helps make it more complete and accurate.
1. Political and Government Leaders
COMPILED BY: Brian Harrod - RoundupNewswires.com Publisher
- Mike Spano — Yonkers Mayor
Mike Spano won reelection in 2023, capturing 60% of the vote on his way to an unprecedented fourth term as the city’s top elected leader. During his tenure, Spano has helped revitalize the state’s fourth-largest city, including recruiting Lionsgate to build a major film studio campus downtown, transforming former industrial sites into business hubs, and advancing Extell’s Hudson Piers waterfront development with new housing, retail, and parks. - Lakisha Collins-Bellamy — Yonkers City Council President
Lakisha Collins-Bellamy shocked the Yonkers political establishment in 2021 by upsetting the incumbent on her way to becoming the leader of the legislative body. The longtime Municipal Housing Authority attorney became the first Black leader elected citywide and has directed more funding to repair parks and community centers while sponsoring legislation to create new affordable housing. - John Rubbo — Yonkers City Council Majority Leader (4th District)
John Rubbo serves as the key legislative partner to the mayor and council president, steering budget, zoning, and development priorities through the council. - Deana R. Norman (also known as Deana R. Robinson) — Yonkers City Council Majority Whip (1st District)
Deana R. Norman plays a central role in council leadership as majority whip, focusing on fiscal responsibility and constituent services. - Corazon Pineda-Isaac — Yonkers City Council Member (2nd District)
Corazon Pineda-Isaac brings a strong voice on immigrant communities, education, and small business support to the council. - Tasha Diaz — Yonkers City Council Member (3rd District)
Tasha Diaz focuses on quality-of-life issues including parks, public safety, and youth programs. - Michael B. Breen — Yonkers City Council Minority Leader
Michael B. Breen, the sole Republican on the council, provides critical oversight and alternative perspectives on spending and development. - Tim Hodges — Yonkers City Council Member (6th District)
Tim Hodges brings fresh energy to council deliberations on growth and services. - Steve Levy — First Deputy Mayor, City of Yonkers
Steve Levy serves as a top advisor and operational leader in the mayor’s office. - Susan Gerry — Deputy Mayor, City of Yonkers
Susan Gerry focuses on policy coordination and community engagement. - Denise Egiziaco — Chief of Staff to the Mayor, City of Yonkers
Denise Egiziaco manages the mayor’s office operations and serves as a key strategist. - Christopher Sapienza — Police Commissioner, City of Yonkers
Christopher Sapienza leads the Yonkers Police Department, shaping public safety strategy. - Vincent “Vinny” Spano — City Clerk, City of Yonkers
Vinny Spano has held the city clerk's position for multiple terms and was unanimously re-appointed to his third consecutive five-year term in 2023. - Charlene Indelicato — Commissioner of Planning & Development, City of Yonkers
Appointed by Mayor Spano in 2025, Charlene Indelicato brings over 30 years of city planning expertise to lead zoning and major redevelopment efforts. - Helen Aggrey — Commissioner of Human Resources, City of Yonkers
Helen Aggrey oversees personnel, civil service, labor relations, and workforce development. - Paul Summerfield, PE — Commissioner of Engineering, City of Yonkers
Paul Summerfield directs the Department of Engineering for capital projects and infrastructure. - Thomas Meier — Commissioner of Public Works, City of Yonkers
Thomas Meier directs infrastructure, streets, sanitation, and capital projects. - William Fitzpatrick — Commissioner of the Fire Department, City of Yonkers
William Fitzpatrick leads the Yonkers Fire Department, ensuring public safety and emergency response. - Andrea Stewart-Cousins — New York State Senate Majority Leader (35th District)
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a longtime Yonkers resident, is President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate. - Shelley Mayer — New York State Senator (Yonkers)
Shelley Mayer is a leading Yonkers lawmaker who has secured full funding for the state Foundation Aid formula. - Nader Sayegh — New York State Assembly Member (Yonkers)
Nader Sayegh has delivered tens of millions in state funding for Yonkers schools and infrastructure. - Ken Jenkins — Westchester County Executive
Ken Jenkins oversees the entire county government, including the $2.5 billion budget, with direct influence on policies affecting Yonkers. - Shanae Williams — Westchester County Legislator (District 16 – Yonkers)
Shanae Williams serves as majority whip and advocates for local priorities including housing and mental health. - José I. Alvarado — Westchester County Legislator (District 17 – Yonkers)
José I. Alvarado serves as vice chair and champions education and community development. - James Nolan — Westchester County Legislator (District 15)
James Nolan represents areas including parts of Yonkers as minority whip. - David Tubiolo — Westchester County Legislator (District 14 – Yonkers/Mount Vernon)
David Tubiolo advocates for Yonkers residents on transportation, public safety, and economic issues. - Liam McLaughlin — Yonkers Inspector General
Liam McLaughlin serves as the city’s independent watchdog, conducting audits and investigations. - Akeem Jamal — Assistant Deputy Mayor, City of Yonkers
Akeem Jamal previously served as Deputy Communications Director and now holds the Assistant Deputy Mayor role.
Zehy Jereis is a longtime Yonkers political figure best known for his role as a former chairman of the Yonkers Republican Party and for his involvement in high-profile federal case.
- Lenny Caro — President, Yonkers Chamber of Commerce
Lenny Caro, the first Latino president of the Yonkers Chamber, drives business advocacy and economic development. - Roberto Espiritu — Owner, La Piñata Bakery & President, Mexican American Yonkers Chamber of Commerce
Roberto Espiritu champions entrepreneurship and support for minority-owned businesses. - Jaime McGill — Executive Director, Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (IDA)
Jaime McGill oversees tax incentives and financial assistance for commercial, housing, and industrial developments. - Kevin Cacace — Former President & Treasurer, Yonkers Chamber of Commerce
Kevin Cacace continues to influence economic advocacy and small-business strategies. - Hershey Friedman — Chairman, Azorim Development
Hershey Friedman has spearheaded transformative residential development including the Hudson 44 tower. - Jack Klein — Director & COO, Azorim Development
Jack Klein oversees execution of major Yonkers projects including Hudson 44. - Moshe Botnick — Senior Vice President of Development, Extell Development Company
Moshe Botnick has led the landmark Hudson Piers waterfront project. - Martin Ginsburg — Founder and Principal, Ginsburg Development Companies LLC
Martin Ginsburg has shaped Yonkers’ skyline with major multifamily and mixed-use projects. - Richard Nightingale — President & CEO, Westhab
Richard Nightingale directs one of the region’s largest affordable housing developers with major Yonkers projects. - Mark Weingarten — Partner, DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr
Mark Weingarten provides critical legal counsel on major Yonkers zoning and development deals. - Dean Bender, Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, Geoffrey Thompson — Partners, Thompson & Bender
The Thompson & Bender team helps position Yonkers as “Hollywood on the Hudson” through strategic public relations and branding.
Henry Djonbalaj - Realtor - Vice-President of the Untermeyer Park Performing Arts Council, Vice-President of McLean Avenue Merchants Association (also known as M.A.M.A) Yonkers I.D.A ,Yonkers Parks Board, Lincoln Park Taxpayers Association and Yonkers Chamber of Commerce, Yonkers Owners Association, Albanian American association
John Khader - Businessman And Political Activist - John Khader is a longtime resident and businessman in Yonkers, New York. He is best known as the founder and president of the Mediterranean Political Action Committee (MPAC), also referred to as Mediterranean People & Communities (MPACnow).
- Aníbal Soler Jr. — Superintendent, Yonkers Public Schools
Aníbal Soler Jr. has led dynamic change across New York’s fourth-largest school district. - Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio — President, Yonkers Board of Education
Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio leads the policy-making body for Yonkers Public Schools. - Gail Burns — Vice President, Yonkers Board of Education
Gail Burns plays a key role in shaping district policy on equity and academic performance. - Arz Raheem — Trustee, Yonkers Board of Education
Arz Raheem contributes to policy-making on academics, facilities, and equity. - Lorraine Lopez — Trustee, Yonkers Board of Education
Lorraine Lopez brings extensive local knowledge to board decisions. - Sheila Greenwald, Lawrence Sykes, Amjed I. Kuri, John Castanaro, Rosemarie P. Linton — Trustees, Yonkers Board of Education
(Various trustees contributing to budget, facilities, equity, and academic programs.) - Samantha Rosado-Ciriello — President, Yonkers Federation of Teachers
Samantha Rosado-Ciriello leads the powerful teachers’ union and influences education policy. - Samuel Wallis — CEO, Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE)
Samuel Wallis leads one of Yonkers’ most impactful education nonprofits. - Eduardo LaGuerre — Chairman of the Board, Charter School of Educational Excellence
Eduardo LaGuerre provides visionary leadership for Yonkers’ only public charter school. - Michael DeSimone — Athletic Director, Charter School of Educational Excellence
Michael DeSimone oversees a comprehensive interscholastic athletics program.
- Wilson Kimball, Esq. — President & CEO, Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Yonkers (MHACY)
Wilson Kimball leads Yonkers’ public housing authority and major redevelopment initiatives. - Ronald “Ron” Corti — President & CEO, St. John’s Riverside Hospital
Ronald Corti oversees essential healthcare services and community health programs for Yonkers residents. - Michael J. Spicer — President & CEO, Saint Joseph’s Medical Center
Michael J. Spicer leads a major healthcare provider serving thousands of Yonkers residents. - Dr. Ammir S. Rabadi, MD — Family Medicine Physician & Chief School Physician, Yonkers Public Schools
Dr. Rabadi provides comprehensive care and oversees medical policies for Yonkers Public Schools. - Esmeralda Hoscoy — Executive Director, Community Planning Council of Yonkers
Esmeralda Hoscoy advances housing support, youth programs, and economic opportunity initiatives. - Matthew Gullotta (Matt Gullotta) — Founder & President, Gullotta House
Matt Gullotta founded Gullotta House to provide direct assistance, food support, and emergency aid to Yonkers and Westchester residents. - Marisol Mancebo — Executive Director, Yonkers Police Athletic League (PAL)
Marisol Mancebo delivers youth sports, mentoring, and anti-violence programs. - LaMont Russell — Community Organizer & Economic Development Strategist
LaMont Russell drives grassroots organizing focused on housing and neighborhood revitalization. - Janet Humes — Community Organizer, Catholic Charities Day Laborers Program
Janet Humes has organized immigrant and day laborer communities for over a decade. - Jonathan Alvarez — Executive Director, 914 United Inc.
Jonathan Alvarez focuses on community support, economic opportunity, and immigrant services. - Destiny Baker — Youth & Equity Program Leader, YWCA Yonkers
Destiny Baker advances youth empowerment and equity initiatives. - Anietra Guzmán-Santana — Executive Director, Family Service Society of Yonkers
Anietra Guzmán-Santana delivers critical mental health, counseling, and family support programs. - Patrick “Pat” Grasso — Philanthropist and Civic Organizer
Patrick “Pat” Grasso mobilizes resources for arts, education, health, and neighborhood improvement.
Juanquin Rogers Director of Programs at YWCA Yonkers, leads initiatives that support vulnerable individuals and families through housing, workforce development, and supportive services.
- Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz — Spiritual Leader, Chabad of Yonkers (Greystone Jewish Center)
Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz runs a full-service Chabad house with inclusive outreach, interfaith engagement, and large public events. - Rev. Victor Patterson, MDiv — Pastor and Community Organizer
Rev. Victor Patterson drives faith-based community engagement, social services, and advocacy on housing, safety, and youth development. - Rev. Joe A. Francis (Father Joe) — Priest, Church of St. Joseph (141 Ashburton Avenue)
Father Joe leads a historic Roman Catholic parish with Masses in English and Spanish, a school, food pantry, and community meal.
- Frank McDonald — President, Yonkers Police Benevolent Association
Frank McDonald leads the Yonkers PBA, representing officers in contract negotiations and public safety policy. - Steven “Bubba” Philp — President, Yonkers Fire Fighters Local 628
Steven “Bubba” Philp advocates for firefighters on wages, working conditions, and equipment. - Louis Picani — President, Teamsters Local 456
Louis Picani heads the powerful Yonkers-based Teamsters local, influencing labor contracts and infrastructure projects. - Jeff Loughlin — President or Key Official, Yonkers-Area Building Trades Council
Jeff Loughlin influences labor relations and workforce participation in major redevelopment projects. - Samantha Rosado-Ciriello — President, Yonkers Federation of Teachers (already listed under Education; can stay here or there depending on emphasis).
- Tara Rosenblum — Anchor and Reporter, News 12 Network
Tara Rosenblum is Westchester’s most visible journalist covering Yonkers politics and development. - Ben Crnic — Reporter, Yonkers Daily Voice
Ben Crnic provides in-depth coverage of Yonkers government, schools, development, and community stories. - MaryAnn McCarra (MaryAnn McCarra-Fitzpatrick) — Editor, Yonkers Newswire
MaryAnn McCarra is the longtime editor and moderator of Yonkers Newswire, known as the “Hardest Working Woman in Journalism.” - Ru Ros — Hyper-local Content Creator and Video Journalist (Yonkers Voice)
Ru Ros is the founder of Yonkers Voice and an active on-the-ground video journalist. - Ricardo Gonzalez — Hyper-local News Contributor
Ricardo Gonzalez is one of the most frequent contributors to Yonkers Newswire and sister groups. - Dennis Richmond Jr. — Yonkers-based Content Creator and Commentator
Dennis Richmond Jr. creates video content discussing life in Yonkers from the perspective of Black residents. - Pepsii Martinez — Yonkers Resident and Community Commentator
Pepsii Martinez is well-known in local social media for frequent posts about city issues and incidents. - Sir Shefik Macauley — Media Personality, Community Activist, and Correspondent at Yonkers Voice
Sir Shefik Macauley is an Emmy-winning media professional involved in storytelling, NASA Space Apps Yonkers, and community innovation. - Ron Matten — Yonkers Community Activist and Political Commentator
Ron Matten is a longtime resident and outspoken commentator on local government issues.
- Elisha Otis — Inventor of the safety elevator; founded Otis Elevator Company (transformed urban development).
- Mary J. Blige — Grammy-winning R&B singer; raised in Yonkers, major cultural icon.
- Jon Voight — Academy Award-winning actor.
- James Comey — Former FBI Director.
- Antony Blinken — Former U.S. Secretary of State.
- Sid Caesar — Legendary comedian/actor.
- Ella Fitzgerald — Jazz legend (lived in or tied to area).
- W.C. Handy — "Father of the Blues."
- Gene Krupa — Famous jazz drummer.
- Leo Baekeland — Inventor of Bakelite (first synthetic plastic).
- Edwin Armstrong — Pioneer of FM radio.
- Alexander Smith — Founder of Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Company (major historical employer).
- Jay S. Walker — Founder of priceline.com.
- Jamaal Bowman — Former U.S. Representative (Yonkers ties).
- Alfred DelBello — Former Mayor of Yonkers.
- William F. Bleakley — First Westchester County Executive.
- Herbert Benson — Physician/researcher (relaxation response).
- John Howard Northrop — Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
- Daniel Carleton Gajdusek — Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine.
- Mercedes Ruehl — Academy/Tony Award-winning actress.
- Tawny Little — TV personality, former Miss New York.
Samuel J. Tilden (NY Governor)
Belle Moskowitz (political reformer)
