Yusufi Vali named Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Wu

Vali will transition from his current position as the Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) into his new role on May 31. 

Vali will support Mayor Wu and Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu in leading the Mayor’s Cabinet and implementing Mayor Wu’s transformative vision of a Boston that works for all residents. Vali will play a key role in advancing Mayor Wu’s priorities, strengthening City government to be responsive to residents’ needs and voices, and ensuring strong collaboration among City departments, local organizations outside City Hall, and other levels of government to effectively deliver programs and services. 

“Yusufi leads with compassion and years of experience building alongside residents in our local communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m excited for Yusufi’s experience and leadership to continue connecting all our departments and communities to City services, and grateful for his service.”

“Yusufi brings a strong vision for ensuring City Hall connects with residents across all of Boston’s neighborhoods to deliver change,” said Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu. “As Deputy Chief of Staff, Yusufi will draw upon his well-known community work and leadership to drive key programs forward, and I am thrilled to work together to move the city forward”.

As Director, Vali leads the MOIA team to advance stability, economic empowerment, civic ownership, and social integration for immigrants in Boston. Since Vali's appointment in 2019, MOIA has launched critical programs to ensure equity, build wealth for immigrant families, and connect immigrants in Boston with more support including Immigrants Lead Boston, the Dreamers Fellowship, and the Immigrant Professionals Fellowship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MOIA has provided crucial support with basic needs assistance to our most vulnerable immigrant residents. 

“I am very excited for what Mayor Wu’s leadership and vision means for our great city at this important moment,” said Yusufi Vali. “I am honored to be part of her team focused on transforming city government to work effectively for each and every resident.“ 

Vali has also supported the Mayor’s legislative agenda on immigration and worked to strengthen legal infrastructure for pathways to status. In line with ensuring Boston is a city for everyone, MOIA is a fierce advocate for Boston's immigrant residents, leading the nation in supporting Haitian arrivals. Following Vali’s departure, MOIA’s interim director will be Agnes Chang, the current MOIA Chief of Staff.

Prior to joining the city, Vali served as the Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, a mosque and community center that serves over 1,500 congregants of various ethnicities, the majority of which with an immigrant background. Before joining the ISBCC in 2012, Vali was a community organizer with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, where he advocated for better education and access to health care for low-income families. 

Vali is an immigrant from Nagpur, India, and a proud resident of Roslindale.