After 27 years in public service, Dawn Pinnock is stepping down from her role as commissioner of New York City’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services. 

Pinnock, who’s leaving to pursue a new professional opportunity, spent the last 10 years in leadership roles with DCAS.

In an exclusive interview with NY1, Pinnock opened up about closing this chapter of her professional career.

“When you work in government, service is truly a calling," Pinnock said. 

One of the largest city agencies, DCAS is also one of its least known. The department oversees the hiring and training of over 300,000 municipal employees. DCAS also manages more than 50 public buildings. 

"It really is the only agency that is in place in order to support the missions of all other agencies,” Pinnock said. "Whether it is New York City Police Department, Department of Buildings, Health and Hospitals, they're all our clients.”

A Bronx native, Pinnock told NY1 she never imagined she’d be able to work her way up in a public service career to become the commissioner of a city agency.

Pinnock has led DCAS since 2022. She was appointed commissioner by Mayor Eric Adams. Previously, she worked for New York City Transit and the New York City Housing Authority. 

Pinnock described her leadership style as being a people-centered commissioner.

“That's what I'm most proud of,” she said. “I mean, it doesn't matter what system you have. It doesn't matter how many policies you promulgate. It doesn't matter how you interpret a rule of law. If you are not centered around the people of your organization, then then the city is not moving forward."

Pinnock’s work at DCAS has included helping the city’s workforce navigate a new normal during the pandemic.

"Remote work was absolutely considered to be a no-no for many, many years,” she said.

Under her leadership, DCAS has also revamped sexual harassment training for city employees and committed to increasing the number of electric vehicles in the city.

Pinnock is preparing to leave DCAS within the coming weeks.

"One of the toughest conversations was having to explain to my staff that I was leaving,” she said. "I'm not leaving for any other reason than there was another opportunity that presented itself, and I really wanted to remain true to the guidance that I’ve offered anyone that I counseled around their career, which is to really take a chance on themselves."