DCWP Commissioner

Kenny Minaya has served as the First Deputy Commissioner since 2022, after first joining DCWP in 2016 as Deputy Chief of Staff. As First Deputy Commissioner, Kenny oversees the agency’s operations and finances. Kenny is an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar. He is a graduate of the CUNY School of Law and the City College of New York.

Griselle Baret has served as Chief of Staff since 2024, after first joining DCWP in 2022 as Deputy Chief of Staff. As Chief of Staff, Griselle focuses on the strategic execution of DCWP’s priorities by ensuring cross-divisional communications and alignment with executive leadership. During her tenure, Griselle has overseen the launch of DCWP’s pioneering new initiative, Financial Literacy for Youth, expanding the agency’s financial empowerment services for New Yorkers under age 18 through a partnership with NYC Public Schools. Previously, Griselle served as Director of Education and Outreach at the New York State Division of Consumer Protection. She also was the co-founder of the Hunts Point Alliance for Children, a nonprofit alliance of schools and community-based organizations in the South Bronx serving hundreds of families through writing and art-based programming. Griselle has a Bachelor of Arts and master’s degree from New York University.

Michael Tiger has been General Counsel since 2022, after first joining DCWP in 2016 as Deputy General Counsel. As General Counsel, Michael manages attorneys and support staff who enforce DCWP’s consumer protection and licensing laws, mediate consumer complaints, and provide counsel to the entire Agency. During Michael’s tenure, DCWP has secured $28 million in restitution and debt relief for consumers and brought forward several high-profile cases against New York City’s largest used car dealer, one of New York State’s largest for-profit colleges, and a prominent chain of funeral homes across New York City. Prior to DCWP, Michael was a partner at Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP. Michael is a graduate of Columbia Law School and Cornell University.

James Hurst has led the Enforcement Division since 2016, after first joining DCWP in 2011 as a Staff Attorney and Legal Ombudsman. Before moving to New York, James worked with a variety of non-profit legal advocacy organizations in San Francisco and London and in management consulting at Accenture. James studied Business Administration and Public Policy at the University California, Berkeley and has a law degree from the University of California College of Law, San Francisco.

Nick Rozza has led the Administration Division since 2020, after first joining DCWP in 2018 as the Executive Director of Finance. In his role, Nick leads the Agency’s Finance, General Services, and Human Capital divisions, overseeing the DCWP budget, purchases of goods and services, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. Nick has led advancements in talent acquisition and retention, improvements to financial forecasting and reporting, and efficiencies in revenue collection and payroll disbursements. Prior to DCWP, Nick served as Finance Director at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Deputy Budget Director at NYC Department of Finance. Nick has a bachelor’s degree in international business from the City University of New York, a master's degree in public administration from Long Island University, and is a Certified Government Financial Manager.

Rina Sharma has led the Division of Technology and Strategic Solutions as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at DCWP since 2023. In her role, Rina leads the agency’s technology strategy, ensuring that IT initiatives align with the agency’s mission and goals. Rina oversees infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital innovation to drive modernization and deliver efficient, secure, and effective services to the public. Rina previously served as the Deputy CIO at the Department of Youth and Community Development.

Elizabeth Wagoner has led the Office of Labor Policy & Standards since 2022, after first joining DCWP in 2019 as Director of Investigations. In her role, Elizabeth leads DCWP’s worker protection enforcement and policy work. During her tenure, DCWP has recovered more than $50 million in restitution for workers harmed by violations of their rights and has implemented groundbreaking new protections, including delivery worker protections that have raised worker pay by over $1 billion. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Alba Pico has overseen the daily operations of the Licensing Division since 1994, after first joining DCWP in 1983 as an intern. Her team processes nearly 45,000 licenses in more than 40 DCWP-regulated industries and supports a fair and reputable business environment in New York City. Alba has led key initiatives to streamline licensing for small businesses through technological and operational improvements, including launching the Citywide payment system and DCWP’s online Business Toolbox. Previously, Alba served as DCWP’s First Deputy Commissioner and Acting-Commissioner. Her service has earned her DCWP’s Special Achievement Award (1986) and the Sloan Public Service Award (1993) for excellence in public service.

Nichole Davis has led the Office of Financial Empowerment since 2021, after first joining DCWP in 2017 as Director of Programs. Nichole steers DCWP’s financial empowerment work, which began as the first local government initiative in the country with the mission to educate, empower, and protect New Yorkers so they can build assets and make the most of their financial resources. Nichole leads initiatives designed to improve the financial health of New Yorkers by increasing their access to free financial counseling and coaching, safe and affordable banking products, and opportunities to build tax time savings, as well as the Financial Literacy for Youth initiative in partnership with NYC Public Schools. Nichole is a graduate of the University of Dayton and holds a master’s degree in public affairs from the Indiana University School for Public and Environmental Affairs.

Carlos Ortiz has led External Affairs since 2022, after first joining DCWP in 2016 as Director of Community Affairs. In his role, Carlos leads the DCWP’s community, legislative, press, digital media, and public media efforts to promote our mission across New York City. Carlos has a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Chicago.