Richard Lee

RICHARD LEE was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Finance on March 23, 2026. As commissioner, he oversees the agency responsible for administering the City’s tax laws and collecting the revenue that supports essential services for New Yorkers, as well as managing the City’s treasury and advising on key financial systems.

Commissioner Lee is a dedicated public servant with deep expertise in the municipal budget process. Prior to his appointment as commissioner, he served as director of the New York City Council’s Finance Division, where he managed a staff of more than 40 professionals and oversaw all aspects of the Council’s budget responsibilities, including revenue forecasting, budget analysis, and negotiations on the City’s financial plan. In this role, he worked closely with council members to evaluate agency spending, develop policy priorities, and guide the City through multiple budget cycles.

Commissioner Lee previously served as budget director for the Queens borough president, where he managed the office’s expense and capital budgets and provided strategic policy and fiscal guidance. Earlier in his career, he was director of budget and legislative affairs for then–council member Leroy Comrie, and he began his public service at Asian Americans for Equality, advancing community development and housing policy initiatives.

A lifelong New Yorker and a Queens native, Commissioner Lee brings a strong commitment to equitable and effective government. He holds a Master of Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a Bachelor of Science in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.