
Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, USA
Edward Mermelstein is New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs, leading the Mayor’s Office in its role as the primary liaison between the city and the diplomatic community, consular corps, and the United Nations.
Before joining the Adams administration, Mermelstein was the CEO and founder of One & Only Holdings and One & Only Realty, specializing in international corporate and real estate law, private equity investment, and joint ventures. His expertise in global markets earned him recognition as one of New York City’s 10 most influential figures in real estate. He now brings the same tenacity to his role, working to reestablish New York City as a global leader.
Beyond his private-sector career, Mermelstein has been deeply involved in philanthropy. A Board Member of JDC, a global Jewish humanitarian organization, he also serves on NYU’s Board of Overseers, where he established the Mermelstein Family Scholarship. Previously, he was the USA Director of the Link of Times Foundation, facilitating the 2008 return of the Danilov Bells to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Mermelstein is Chairman Emeritus of COJECO, supporting the integration of Russian-speaking Jews into the American Jewish community. From 2018 to 2021, he served as President of ZAKA International Rescue and Recovery, a UN-recognized humanitarian organization.
Mermelstein emigrated to the U.S. in 1976 as a refugee from Ukraine. Fluent in English and Russian, he holds a BA from NYU and a JD from Western Michigan Law School. He lives in NYC with his wife, Rose, a Broadway producer and six-time Tony Award winner, and their two sons.