Syracuse Mayor Walsh appoints constituent services advocate

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced he recently appointed Maria Maldonado Lewis as the city’s constituent services advocate.

Lewis, who started on Feb. 5, joined the office after working as a site director for the Peaceful Schools program at Delaware Elementary School.

In the constituent services role, she is responsible for responding to citizen questions and concerns regarding city government, according to a news release from Walsh’s office. Lewis will also administer “proactive public engagement programs” to collect input from residents on city services and priorities.

“Maria brings a deep knowledge of our community and a genuine caring for the people of the city to her new role as constituent services advocate,” said Walsh. “She will do exactly what her title suggests — advocate for residents to ensure their voices are heard and that they get the services they need from the city.”

Lewis previously worked for Molina Healthcare, Home HeadQuarters, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and the Spanish Action League. She’s an active community member, coordinating events such as Jubilee Homes Showcase Sundays and volunteering with organizations like the Rescue Mission, the release said.

Lewis and her husband, Keenan, host a national radio program called, “I Know I Can Radio/TV” which airs Thursdays on WVOA Radio and also runs twice weekly on Spectrum TV.

A native of Brooklyn, Lewis lives in Lyncourt and will relocate to the city later this year. She attended the Syracuse City School District and graduated from Columbia College with a degree in human services/business.

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BJNN file photo by Eric Reinhardt