Meet the Commissioner

Sandra Escamilla-Davies, Commissioner

Sandra Escamilla-Davies was appointed Commissioner of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) by Mayor Mamdani in January 2026. Commissioner Sandra Escamilla-Davies formerly served as Executive Vice President of Children’s Aid, overseeing a wide portfolio of community schools and center-based programs and leading initiatives to reduce chronic absenteeism; expand college and career access; strengthen culturally responsive services; and advance operational, fiscal, and talent strategies across the organization. Additionally, Commissioner Escamilla-Davies spent 15 years with the Youth Development Institute, where she helped key city agencies embed youth development principles into policy and practice. She holds an M.S.W. from Columbia University and a B.A. in sociology from Hunter College.

As head of DYCD, Commissioner Escamilla-Davies will help bolster the city’s afterschool programming, Summer Youth Employment Program, runaway and homeless youth programming, and more. She will support the city’s community-based organizations and advance the Mamdani Administration’s vision for a city where young people, families, and communities can flourish.