Melanie Hartzog

Melanie Hartzog is an American social services administrator and former government official serving as the president and CEO of the New York Foundling. Her previous roles in New York City government include Deputy Mayor of New York City for Health and Human Services, where she coordinated the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and director of the Mayor's Office of Management and Budget. In the latter role, she was the first woman of color to oversee the largest municipal budget in the United States. On November 5, 2025, mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani named Hartzog a co-chair of his transition team.

Early life and education Hartzog was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and grew up on Long Island. She was raised in a middle-class household, but her family later experienced poverty and housing instability, at one point living in a motel for two years.

While in college, Hartzog volunteered at a domestic violence shelter, which influenced her to switch her major to social work. She later received a M.S. in urban policy analysis and management from The New School's Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment. She began the new job in 2022 after a two-week break from her government role.

Personal life Hartzog lives in Bushwick, Brooklyn, with her three children. She is divorced.