Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced on Apr. 14 the appointment of Ahmer Qadeer as Director and Chief Pension Administrator of the Mayor’s Office of Pensions and Investments (MOPI), along with other key appointments to city agencies.
These appointments are seen as important steps in strengthening leadership across several city offices. Qadeer’s new role places him at the center of managing retirement security for nearly 800,000 active and retired New York City workers, overseeing more than $300 billion in assets.
Qadeer brings experience in economic justice, labor policy, and corporate governance to his new position. He has previously held leadership roles at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and worked on research focused on workers’ rights. He holds a Ph.D. in Planning and Public Policy with research centered on regulation in housing markets.
As Director of MOPI, Qadeer will serve as the mayor’s primary pension and deferred compensation plan trustee. In this capacity, he is responsible for ensuring that city investments deliver strong returns while safeguarding long-term value for municipal employees’ retirement funds.
“I am honored by this appointment and looking forward to contributing to the stewardship of the City’s pensions on behalf of working New Yorkers. I look forward to working with partners across the pension systems to ensure that the City’s investments continue to deliver strong, responsible returns and long-term value,” said Ahmer Qadeer, MOPI Director and Chief Pension Administrator.
Qadeer is an alumnus of Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, which operates as part of Rutgers University according to its official website. The school has earned national rankings including third place for its graduate urban planning program according to its official website, reflecting a commitment to advancing social impact through community development, transportation, health initiatives, workforce development, and energy policy according to its official website.
The Bloustein School focuses on fostering just, socially inclusive communities at various levels according to its official website, under Dean Stuart Shapiro who assumed his role in 2023 according to its official website. The school also recognizes distinguished alumni through annual achievement awards dating back decades according to its official website.