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9/8/2023
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has named Lourdes Zapata chief diversity and inclusion officer. She succeeds Tracey Mitchell, who had served in the role on an interim basis since Feb. 24.
Zapata will oversee the MTA’s Department of Diversity and Civil Rights, overseeing efforts to provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for both career opportunities within the authority, and contracting and business opportunities for external parties.
She most recently was president and CEO of the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit community and economic development organization she joined in 1997 as director of community development. She was as the organization's first woman and Latina leader.
Throughout her tenure there, Zapata helped develop and manage more than 750 affordable housing units, and rezoning planning efforts.
She previously served as the chief diversity officer for the state of New York under Gov. Andrew Cuomo from 2018 to 2019, working on policy and proactive initiatives to increase diversity within the state’s workforce.
“With her wealth of experience, Lourdes is a natural fit to oversee the MTA’s diversity and inclusion initiatives,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber in a press release.