Staff

Ahsia Badi serves as Executive Director of the Children’s Cabinet. Ahsia brings over 15 years of experience across public health, child development, and supporting marginalized communities. Before this role, Badi served as a senior advisor to the deputy mayor for health and human services, providing support across multiple agencies including the ACS and DYCD’s Runaway and Homeless Youth program.

Prior to joining city service, Badi held key positions in large-scale public health programs at institutions including the New York Academy of Medicine, Columbia University, and Stanford University. Additionally, she played integral roles in wide-reaching campaigns focused on Census 2020 with Engage and the New York State Redistricting Commission. As a clinically trained occupational therapist, Badi possesses a deep understanding of child development and the unique needs of children and youth. With extensive experience in community-based early intervention and New York City's public schools, she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to empowering youth, parents, and teachers to navigate complex environments and classrooms that foster success and inclusion of all. Badi earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and International Studies from Ohio State University and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley.  

Melody Mills serves as Policy Advisor in The Children's Cabinet under the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives (DMSI) wherever she leads the  "Every Child and Family is Known" project convening multiple agencies including NYC Public Schools, DHS, ACS, CIDI, and CBOs.

Although a Brooklyn-native, Melody has lived and worked in Italy, Spain, Ghana, Peru, and most recently, Brazil. Prior to joining DMSI, she has worked with IVCF, developing our next generation of leaders on college campuses in NYC; FAC, a nonprofit for the arts in rural NY; and Legacy School, establishing the intercultural department as they multiplied to plant 17 new schools in Rio de Janeiro. She received a Fulbright award to conduct participatory-action research with girls in street situations in Lima, Peru and published a book entitled "Microphone to the World." Whether in cities, rural areas, local or abroad, she loves to lean into her context to cultivate leaders and connect organizations so that they may be active agents in their communities and beyond. Melody is a proud CUNY alumni, receiving her BA in Psychology and in Political Science from Baruch College and Human Rights from Columbia University.