Elle Bisgaard-Church

Elliana Bisgaard-Church (born June 28, 1991) is an American political adviser who has served as chief of staff to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani since 2026. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Bisgaard-Church was also the campaign manager for Mamdani's 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary campaign.

Early life and education Bisgaard-Church was born June 28, 1991 in California and grew up as the only child of a single mother. During her childhood, she regularly volunteered at a homeless shelter.

She attended Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where she produced an anti-war radio show on WSRN-FM. During her time in Albany, she was reportedly "not on the scene" and avoided "schmoozing."

Political positions Bisgaard-Church is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Prior to working for Mamdani, she was a "paper member," meaning she was not deeply involved. She later took part in creating the DSA's legislative analysis team and wrote a guiding document in 2021 that defined how the DSA would interact with its elected officials. She also played a key role in convincing the DSA to endorse Mamdani for mayor.

Sources describe her as a "diehard believer" on the left with a "lifelong preoccupation with wealth inequality, the carceral system and the injustices of war." Bisgaard-Church has stated she feels "deeply ashamed" of homelessness, calling it a "political choice" and a "moral failure," and said she found a "shared sense of rage" about it within the NYC-DSA.

Personal life Bisgaard-Church's full name is Elliana Bisgaard-Church. She had a wedding in July 2025. She maintains a low public profile, rarely gives interviews, and does not have a traceable presence on X.