New York City CTO Matthew Fraser steps down

Matthew Fraser has stepped down as Chief Technology Officer for the City of New York, concluding a four-year period marked by the consolidation of city technology functions and the expansion of digital public services.

In a letter, (discovered by CityandStateNY) to staff at the NYC Office of Technology & Innovation, Fraser said he would leave the role as the Adams administration comes to a close and ahead of the transition to a new mayoral administration led by Zohran Mamdani.

“Four years ago, I joined the Adams administration with a clear mandate: to use technology to improve the lives of New Yorkers and make city government work better for the people it serves,” he said.

A Brooklyn native, Fraser reflected on the personal significance of the role and his experience serving as CTO for the city. During his tenure, he oversaw the unification of previously separate technology organisations into a single Office of Technology and Innovation, describing the change as extending well beyond structural reform.

“That transformation was not structural alone; it was cultural, operational, and mission-driven–and it happened because of your talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment to public service.”

Under Fraser, the city expanded access to free broadband, devices and digital skills training, modernised platforms including MyCity, NYC311 and NYC Open Data, and established forward-looking governance frameworks for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. The office also played a central role in strengthening cybersecurity and digital resilience, including navigating a global IT outage in 2024.

“Together, we delivered results designed to endure well beyond any one administration,” he said.

Fraser said the work of the office had been the highlight of his more than 20 years in public service, expressing confidence in its long-term impact beyond his departure.

“I am confident that the systems you steward, the leaders you develop, and the values you uphold will continue to shape the future of this city for generations to come.”

Ruby Choi, Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives at the Office of Technology and Innovation, will assume the role of Acting Chief Technology Officer during the transition. Choi has served in senior leadership roles across New York City government, including at the New York City Police Department and the Mayor’s Office of Operations, and has held her current position since 2022.

Image: City of New York