Who is Lina Khan? Know Why Zohran Mamdani Hired Her as FTC Head

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Lina Khan, the former chair of the Federal Trade Commission renowned for her aggressive antitrust lawsuits against major technology companies, to lead the board of directors for the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). During a press conference held at the City Hall Rotunda, Mamdani introduced Khan alongside Anthony Shorris, a partner at McKinsey and longtime public servant who will serve as the EDC's president and CEO.

Mamdani described the newly appointed leaders as a dream team, framing the selections as a calculated effort to blend urban commercial growth with his progressive affordability agenda. As per a Business Insider report, the EDC functions as a nonprofit organisation overseeing municipal properties, directing major real estate projects, administering business tax incentives, and promoting commercial investment across all five boroughs. Khan previously served as a co-chair for Mamdani's mayoral campaign, establishing a close working relationship centered on economic justice.

Who is Lina Khan?

Lina Khan built a prominent national profile as a staunch consumer rights advocate while spearheading high-profile federal antitrust actions against major tech corporations like Amazon, Meta, and Google during the Biden administration. Responding to her latest appointment, Khan highlighted that the municipal agency will concentrate heavily on expanding economic opportunities for working class residents. She stated that the organisation possesses essential tools to drive initiatives that foster local business growth, generate quality employment, and reduce everyday living costs.

Lina Khan Background and History

Before stepping into high-profile regulatory roles, Khan built a robust career in public policy and legal advocacy. She served as counsel to the United States House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law, where she helped direct a major congressional investigation into digital marketplaces. She also worked as the legal director at the Open Markets Institute, focusing extensively on market consolidation trends across various commercial sectors. Her public service trajectory shifted national conversations surrounding corporate monopoly power and modern regulatory enforcement. Saudi Prince Abdullah Bin Fahad Dies of Fatal Drug and Alcohol Mix at London Hotel, Inquest Rules Misadventure.

Lina Khan Education

Lina Khan pursued her foundational undergraduate studies in political theory at Williams College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 2010. She later attended Yale Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree in 2017. While studying at Yale, she authored the groundbreaking academic paper titled "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox," which was published in the Yale Law Journal and fundamentally reshaped modern legal perspectives on digital platform monopolies and anti-competitive practices.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2026 03:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).