2026

Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert is the 24th Mayor of the City of New Rochelle, New York, widely recognized as the fastest growing city in the State. As the first woman and person of color to hold this office since her inauguration in 2024, Mayor Ramos-Herbert brings a transformative perspective to leadership deeply rooted in equity, innovation, and the empowerment of every resident in our diverse community. Prior to her service as Mayor, she served as a member of the New Rochelle City Council, proudly representing District 3 from 2020-2023. Focusing on housing, transportation, community engagement, and public works, Mayor Ramos-Herbert has already overseen several successful initiatives in her first year. In early 2024, New Rochelle was designated a pro-housing community by Governor Hochul, building on a decade-long legacy of New Rochelle’s pro-growth approach to housing. She has championed resources for the ongoing renaissance of downtown New Rochelle, supporting the creation of the Vanguard District, a vibrant hub of retail, dining, and entertainment, that also boosts local businesses and entrepreneurship. She is also a steadfast advocate for youth programming and youth engagement. In her first year as mayor, two massive infrastructure and transit projects made significant gains: the LINC and the New Rochelle Transit Center. Mayor Ramos-Herbert is particularly proud to help lead efforts to secure funding for LINC, a transformative project that consists of converting a portion of a highway to a linear open space that will reconnect the historic African American community to New Rochelle’s downtown, fostering inclusivity, accessibility and economic opportunity. Additionally, the redesign of the New Rochelle Train Station and Intermodal Transit Center will restore vital connections to surrounding neighborhoods, and connect the new developments and residential buildings in the downtown. A Queens, New York native, Mayor Ramos-Herbert received her B.A. from St. Francis College, her J.D. from SUNY Buffalo Law School, and her M.Ed. from Northeastern University. Her professional experience includes serving as a litigator at several New York City law firms and dedicating a decade to Columbia Law School, where she most recently held the position of Associate Dean of Student and Registration Services. She moved to New Rochelle in 2007 and is the proud mother of two beautiful children.

Louis Copeland Jr. is a public servant and policy professional with experience spanning government, legislative affairs, and municipal administration. He earned a graduate degree in business with a concentration in finance from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He previously served as a legislative analyst and writer for the U.S. House of Representatives. He currently serves as an assistant to Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq., the four-term mayor of the City of Orange Township, where he is overseeing the restoration and renovation of the historic Stickler Building, home of the Orange Public Library. In addition, Mr. Copeland is tasked with developing collaborative efforts to expand services through development partnerships throughout the municipality.

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard is the 30th Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, New York. Her election in 2019 was historic as she was the first woman to be elected as Mayor. Her re-election in 2023 marked the first time that a sitting mayor has been re-elected in 20 years. Mayor Patterson Howard has quickly made her mark in the governing and political landscape. Leading through the competing crises of Covid-19, public safety/criminal justice reform, climate change, massive infrastructure, and financial challenges; Mayor Patterson Howard has stayed focused on developing systemic solutions that help marginalized groups and create partnerships that bring much needed resources to address legacy, current and emerging issues. Mayor Patterson-Howard employs her straightforward and pragmatic style to advocate for and raise the profile of the state’s eighth largest city. As an innovator, Mayor Patterson-Howard relies on collaboration and partnership on every level to address everyday issues and major crises. Her aim is to set Mount Vernon on a path to growth, resilience, sustainability, and true governance. During the past four years in office, she has worked with her talented and dedicated leadership team and committed electees to build public/private partnerships that have brought in over $350 million for multiple infrastructure projects and the redevelopment of Memorial Stadium. Historic investments have been made to upgrade the City’s fleet of Police, Fire and Public Works vehicles and equipment to ensure the reliable delivery of city services and kick off the “Paving It Forward” street repair initiative. Through innovative partnerships, the city has launched The Wellness Precinct, Youth Diversion and Emerging Adult Justice Courts, Mayor’s for Guaranteed Income, expanded youth employment and development, workforce development and secured funding for the renovation of the Doles Center and Armory. In her inaugural term, Mayor Patterson-Howard has risen to the national and international stage for her unapologetic advocacy for environmental justice, climate change, public health, financial empowerment, and public safety. This has enabled the city to partner with Bloomberg, Harvard, The Gates Foundation, National League of Cities, and others to enhance staff development and grant opportunities. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard is deeply committed to public service and civic engagement. She serves in numerous leadership roles at the local, state, national, and international levels. She is President Emeritus of the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) and First Vice President of the New York Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials. At the national level, she serves as Vice Chair of the Children, Health & Human Services Committee of the United States Conference of Mayors and as National Co-Chair of Everytown for Gun Safety’ Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) coalition. She has also been appointed to the U.S. Department of State Assembly of Local Leaders and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (LGAC). Internationally, Mayor Patterson-Howard is a member of the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth Initiative. Regionally, she serves on the Executive Committee of NYCOM and as Second Vice President of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association. Her additional affiliations include the National League of Cities, the U.S. Mayors Roundtable, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Sustainable Westchester, participates in the Hutchinson River Watershed Plan Steering Committee, and is involved with ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. In addition, she serves as Co-Chair of the Mayors Commission on Water Equity. Mayor Patterson Howard is happily married to her husband of 36 years, Marvin Howard, and has one daughter, Nia.