Ingrid Lewis-Martin

Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin (née Lewis; born February 28, 1961) is an American chaplain and political advisor.^[1][2][3] She served as chief advisor to Mayor of New York City Eric Adams from January 2022^[4] until December 2024.^[5] Sometimes called "The Lioness of City Hall", Lewis-Martin is a longtime ally of Adams.

Ingrid Lewis-Martin
Chief Advisor to the Mayor of New York City
In office January 10, 2022 – December 15, 2024
Mayor	Eric Adams
Preceded by	position established
Deputy Borough President of Brooklyn
In office September 1, 2019 – December 31, 2021
Borough President	Eric Adams
Preceded by	Diana Reyna
Succeeded by	Diana Richardson
Personal details
Born	Ingrid P. Lewis (1961-02-28) February 28, 1961 (age 64) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Glenn D. Martin
Education	John Jay College of Criminal Justice (BA)

Early life and education

Lewis-Martin was born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights neighborhoods, her father immigrated from Barbados and her mother was born in New York City but grew up in Panama.^[6] She graduated from John Jay High School and attended SUNY Old Westbury before transferring to John Jay College, studying criminal justice.^[7] She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.^[8]

Career

Lewis-Martin previously worked as a public school teacher and as an instructor at Medgar Evers College. She got her start in politics volunteering for U.S. Representative Major Owens, then served as his deputy campaign manager. She would go on to serve as chief of staff in the New York State Senate for Adams.^[8]

In June 2025, the New York Daily News reported that Lewis-Martin was playing an active role in Adams' re-election campaign in the 2025 New York City mayoral election.^[9]

Chief Advisor to the Mayor

Lewis-Martin (far-right) appears with Mayor Eric Adams (center-left) and Police Commissioner Edward Caban (center background) for the pilot of a weapons detector program on the subway in 2024.

Lewis-Martin has served as chief advisor to Adams since 2022. In 2023, she was charged with a $1,000 fine for abusing her position to financially benefit an aide who owed her money.^[4]

Lewis-Martin abruptly resigned from the position on December 15, 2024.^[5]

Investigations and indictment

On September 27, 2024, in the midst of the investigations into the Eric Adams administration, federal investigators searched Lewis-Martin's home, then seized her phones and served her with a grand jury subpoena on arrival at JFK Airport. Lewis-Martin was returning from a vacation in Japan alongside Jesse Hamilton and Adam Clayton Powell IV.^[10] A search warrant published by the Manhattan District Attorney's office stated that they were investigating five charges, including: bribery, falsifying business records, offering a false instrument for filing, and money laundering.^[11]

On December 15, 2024, Lewis-Martin announced her abrupt resignation reportedly due to a forthcoming indictment after prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's office presented evidence of misconduct to a grand jury.^[12][5] Lewis-Martin's lawyer Arthur Aidala said the expected criminal charges related to alleged improper gifts, he characterized the case as politically motivated and she claimed she was being falsely accused.^[13]

On December 19, 2024, indictments against Lewis-Martin and her son were announced.^{[14] [15] [16]}

Personal life

Lewis-Martin is married to Glenn D. Martin, a police officer who trained with Eric Adams. A Pentecostal, Lewis-Martin is an ordained chaplain. She lives in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. Lewis-Martin is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.^[8]