Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today appointed Lilliam Barrios-Paoli as Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA). Ms. Barrios-Paoli will oversee an agency with more than 300 employees and a budget of $300 million per year and be responsible for working for the empowerment, independence, dignity and quality of life of the City's diverse older adults through advocacy, education and the coordination and delivery of services. Ms. Barrios-Paoli will officially assume her post on February 2nd, 2009.

"As a former agency commissioner with vast experience in the private and not-for-profit sector, Lilliam Barrios-Paoli is an exceptional addition to our team," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Throughout her long and distinguished career she has shown a commitment to those in need - of all ages. We anticipate a 45 percent increase in our population of older New Yorkers by 2030, she is poised and ready to lead the Department for the Aging into the future."

"The City is truly lucky to have such a distinguished leader join us to lead the City's aging services," said Deputy Mayor Linda I. Gibbs. "Lilliam's career, from the last ten years in non-profit management, to her prior experience in government social services, makes her an ideal commissioner to move the Department for the Aging through modernization efforts and prepare the City for the increase in the aging population."

"I am pleased to be joining the Bloomberg Administration," said Lilliam Barrios-Paoli.  "I am excited to lead the important and unprecedented efforts to modernize services for older adults that are underway at DFTA right now."

Ms. Barrios-Paoli currently serves as the President and CEO of Safe Space NYC, Inc., a non-profit organization serving over 25,000 children and families in New York City. Before joining Safe Space, she was the Senior Vice President and Chief Executive for Agency Services of the United Way. She has headed the City Human Resources Administration, as well as the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the City Department of Personnel.

Ms. Barrios-Paoli graduated from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and received her doctorate from The New School for Social Research. She served on the Mayor's Commission for Economic Opportunity and the 2005 Charter Revision Commission. She resides in Manhattan.