Brandon Blackwood and Etsy CEO join New York's inaugural Business Advisory Council

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has named fashion entrepreneur Brandon Blackwood and Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal among the inaugural members of a new Business Advisory Council, bringing retail and fashion representation into discussions around the city’s economic growth.

The 15-member council will meet quarterly with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, advising City Hall on sectors including retail, technology, finance, real estate and health care, as well as the infrastructure, talent and regulatory environment needed to support business growth.

Blackwood, founder and CEO of accessories label Brandon Blackwood New York, will bring the perspective of a fashion entrepreneur who built his business in the city. “Building a business in New York has taught me that this city’s greatest resource has always been its people,” Blackwood said, adding that he hoped to help ensure “bold ideas can become lasting businesses”.

Etsy’s Patel Goyal also provides a significant retail perspective. As CEO of the global marketplace, she brings experience across technology, strategy, international expansion and marketplace operations, while her previous role as CEO of Depop saw her help establish the resale platform as a major player in the US apparel market.