NYC Unveils Tech Team to Revolutionize City Services

WHO:

Fast Company - Lisa Gelobter is the city’s new chief technology officer and commissioner of the city’s Office of Information Technology.

Inc - Mayor Zohran Mamdani is leading the initiative to build new tech-forward crews.

WHAT:

Fast Company - New York City is launching a new team called the Public Interest Technology Crew (PIT Crew) to transform digital interfaces for constituent services.

Fast Company - The PIT Crew will support Click-to-Cancel protections, a new citywide rule that prevents businesses from making it difficult for people to cancel subscriptions.

Fast Company - The PIT Crew plans to build a portal for consumers to file complaints against non-compliant companies.

Fast Company - The PIT Crew will undertake four additional projects with support from the Rockefeller Foundation.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The initiative is taking place across New York City’s five boroughs.

WHEN:

Fast Company - The PIT Crew aims to complete projects within 12 weeks, from discovery to rollout.

WHY:

Fast Company - The goal of the initiative is to make interactions with city government more pleasant for constituents.

Fast Company - Gelobter aims to bring the values of the US Digital Service to New York City.

HOW:

Fast Company - The PIT Crew will consist of engineers and project designers working on shorter life cycle projects rather than long-term initiatives.

Fast Company - The team will utilize user research and design thinking methodologies to determine the best tools for project delivery.

(UPDATED July 13, 2026 11:53 UTC)

New York City has appointed Lisa Gelobter as the new chief technology officer and commissioner of the city's Office of Information Technology, and she will lead the launch of the Public Interest Technology Crew, or PIT Crew, aimed at transforming digital interfaces for constituent services across the five boroughs. This initiative, spearheaded by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, will focus on implementing Click-to-Cancel protections and creating a portal for consumers to file complaints against non-compliant companies, with plans to complete these projects within 12 weeks. The PIT Crew will consist of engineers and project designers who will employ user research and design thinking methodologies to ensure that interactions with city government are more pleasant for constituents.