2023 Power Players Rising

Ana Almanzar is the deputy mayor for strategic initiatives, appointed in January 2023 by Mayor Eric Adams and beginning her role in June. Prior to her appointment, Almanzar served as the director of community relations at Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. Previously, Almanzar spent six years as chief of staff to the New York state director of nonprofits. Almanzar received her associate’s degree from Eugenio Maria De Hostos Community College of CUNY and a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Columbia University.

George Alvarez is a descendant of Afro-Caribbean heritage. Despite a modest upbringing, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer science from one of the top-rated universities in the Dominican Republic and a master’s degree in logistics in Spain. Alvarez has a Harvard certification in cybersecurity and certifications from software development companies. His life’s passion is to help uplift the lifestyles of each and every constituent in his district. Alvarez will continue to be a fighter for immigrant families, racial justice, affordable housing, and good jobs.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
My biggest accomplishment is being able to improve things, such as establishing a tax credit for rent paid on the personal residence of certain taxpayers, allocating $210K in rent arrears for a housing project, and co-sponsor the Clean Slate bill. I’ve also moved our district office to a more accessible area to accommodate our residents. We are now attending to over 25 constituents every day. My top legislative priorities in the upcoming year include making college and housing more affordable.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
You don’t need money to win hearts, what you need is a good intention. Start working for the community, help people who need help, and also stand for the right things. There is nothing more attractive or impressive than a good person.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
If I wasn’t in public service, I would want to travel the world to perform charitable work.

Stephanie Báez has nearly 15 years of experience in strategic communications, crisis communications, and public affairs. A longtime former public servant, she oversaw communications for several esteemed members of Congress and the House Judiciary Committee. Locally, Báez led crisis communications at the NYC Economic Development Corporation, where she led real estate and infrastructure projects that shaped New York City. At Global Strategy Group, Báez mostly works with national nonprofits and advocacy coalitions.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I kicked off 2023 with a win for Maimonides Medical Center in a long-running public affairs fight. I also developed and executed successful multi-pronged national and regional strategies to help UnidosUS launch HOME (Homeownership Means Equity), their newest marquee initiative of creating four million new Latino homeowners. Lastly, I am proud of the earned media and grassroots efforts I steered on behalf of the New York Safety Net Hospital Coalition.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Fundamental stuff, but sign up for every newsletter possible and actually read them! The key to being successful in public affairs and media relations is knowing what’s driving the news cycle and who is leading that coverage. Also, never rely solely on learned skills, be a thought partner amongst your peers and principals and start thinking a few steps ahead. Lastly, it’s important to have a plan, but always incorporate room for setbacks and be nimble.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
At one time in my life, I considered becoming a physician’s assistant or a chef.  While both options make for admirable and impactful careers, I think fate steered me in the right direction ultimately. I love what I do because it allows me to combine my passion for people, politics, change, and community. 

Chris Banks, a native of East New York, is the Democratic nominee for Brooklyn’s 42nd Council District, representing the communities of East New York, Starrett City, Brownsville, Canarsie, and Remsen Village. As a results-oriented community and tenant organizer, Banks believes in giving back by building community-based power through partnership and collaboration, and amplifying the voices of the traditionally unheard. Banks is running to serve as the district’s next council member to provide the necessary leadership for the future of the district.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I am most proud of using my campaign for elected office to reach out and speak with thousands of my neighbors, friends, and family across the district to learn what they believe needs to be changed to improve our collective quality of life. I look forward to using that feedback to improve our community.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Believe in yourself, and never give up. If you have a goal to make life better for you and your community, never stop advocating for that goal and working toward making it a reality.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I would be working with the local nonprofit community to continue fighting and advocating for the concerns that my friends, family, and neighbors have expressed to make our district the best place it can possibly be for all of us.

Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga, newlywed, Mrs. McQueen, transitioned to Manhattan after being an 11-year resident of Atlanta. Barnes-Balenciaga was the first LGBTQ+ liaison in Atlanta, Georgia. She is currently the director of the Crystal La’Beija Organizing Fellowship. The multi-awarded Barnes-Balenciaga hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and has been seen on Season 2 of POSE FX. She holds numerous organizational and committee affiliations, mayor appointed commissioner for NYC Commission on Gender Equity, co-investigator for RESPND-MI, and is a member of the illustrious House of Balenciaga.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I am most proud of marrying my husband Asher McQueen on March 24th, and graduating on June 8th from Borough of Manhattan Community College with an AA in political science on the Dean’s List. 

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
I would advise every person entering the political atmosphere to stay true to the initial goal of being people-centered and to research all aspects of interests before diving in head-first. As well as reminding those of LGBTQ+ identities that allyship is very important and they are useful relationships to develop.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I think I would be a professor of a foreign language or psychology.

Mort Becker has had a quick rise in government and civil service. His formal career began in 2017 with a summer internship in Ramapo in Rockland County. When the internship concluded, he was hired as aide to the town supervisor. By the time summer 2021 rolled around, Mort had assumed the position of Chief Court Clerk, clerking for Judge Fried, whom Governor Hochul recently tapped to serve on the NYS Court of Claims. In January 2023, Mort joined newly elected Senator Bill Weber’s staff as Communications Director.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
In January 2020, I started my masters in government online at Harvard. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the usual in-person requirements were waived. I was awarded a master’s degree from Harvard on May 25th of this year. It was a challenging, but very rewarding journey.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
I advise anyone involved in politics and government, especially young people like myself, that the final chapter has yet to be written. When one door closes, another opens. It’s impossible to predict the imminent future at any particular moment. Job opportunities have come my way numerous times, even when I least expected them to, and friends and colleagues have told me the same has occurred for them.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I would run an organization for seniors! I love spending time with older people and admire and envy their contentment with life. Being young and not knowing what lies ahead in one’s personal life and career is challenging. 

Laura Brandon focuses on advocacy, coalition, and nonprofit projects across issues including health care, energy and the environment, and LGBTQ+ justice. Brandon has landed coverage that successfully pressured the federal government to withdraw an offshore drilling proposal, highlighted impacts of healthcare rollbacks and fought back against anti-trans attacks across the country. Before joining BerlinRosen, Brandon drove Colorado media coverage for the Obama campaign and worked in Sen. Michael Bennet’s Washington office and on his 2010 campaign.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I am very proud of the work my team and I have done to push back against anti-trans attacks in state houses across the country, correct misinformation, and expose the coordinated national effort behind these attacks. It’s definitely an uphill battle, and it’s tough to see anti-trans legislation increasing, but it’s such a critical fight, and we get the opportunity to work with incredible partners and directly impacted people.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
As people are starting off, I would suggest they pursue as many different kinds of experience as possible — through work and outside of it. There are many different experiences that add value to the kind of work I do, especially since I support different kinds of organizations across issue areas. That’s also a great way to explore different options for yourself to see what you like and what works best for you! 

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I love music and sports, so I could see myself doing something in one of those fields, likely still in communications or in a community relations role. I find human geography fascinating, so maybe I would have pursued a PhD in that area. Regardless of whether it is part of my career or not, I always see myself doing advocacy work to fight for what I believe in. That’s one thing I’m sure of.

Mike Braun directs Kasirer’s business development efforts, advises the firm’s principals on key operational activities, leads the firm’s communications, facilitates firmwide coordination, advises on politics, and supports recruitment, management, and professional development. Mike also leads government and community relations on behalf of a variety of challenging client projects that fall outside the general domain of Kasirer’s team structure, including labor unions and high-profile procurement projects. 

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I’ve helped design and implement new systems and processes at Kasirer, secure new business and grow the firm’s revenue, and help keep the Kasirer operations moving forward each day. I’ve led the advocacy to pass landmark wage theft and prevailing wage bills; supported a Foundation to expand access to accurate COVID-19 health information and vaccines; and led the government relations strategy to help Stony Brook University win the Governor’s Island Climate Center RFP. 

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
To quote Coach John Wooden: “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” Never take an opportunity for granted — no matter how tedious a task, it’s all part of the process of your growth and success. 

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I’d like to say that I would be in the MLB, but there’s a required skill set that unfortunately I don’t have. I admire and respect the advancement and fundraising space of higher education, and would think that would be a career path that would suit me. 

As a director in Actum’s New York office, Emma Brodsky works with a portfolio of nonprofit, corporate, and political clients to drive their communications, earned media, and PR efforts. Emma previously served as communications director for Robert Cornegy’s campaign for Brooklyn Borough President. In college, Emma worked with Sanctuary for Families, New York’s leading nonprofit for domestic violence survivors, and For the Many, a Hudson Valley-based grassroots organization. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Emma graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Spanish. 

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I am most proud of my work helping to lead another successful national convention for Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network this past April, and supporting anti-poverty nonprofit FPWA in raising awareness of persisting racial justice issues in advance of the March on Washington anniversary.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Take the time to listen, learn, and ask questions. Investing that time with mentors is an invaluable experience and will only set you up for greater success!

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I fell in love with photography 10 years ago after learning to process and print my own film in the darkroom. Over the years I’ve dabbled with freelance gigs and commissions in both digital and film. It’s a passion I hope to continue and find a way to integrate into my current communications career.

Connie Butler joins MoMA PS1 from the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, where she has served as chief curator since 2013. Previously, she was The Robert Lehman Foundation Chief Curator of Drawings at MoMA from 2006-2013. Butler has extensive experience with MoMA PS1, where she served as part of the curatorial team for Greater New York in 2010 and co-organized exhibitions including WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution, 2008; Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960–1980, 2012; and Mike Kelley, 2013.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
On the professional front I am most proud of moving from one major center of contemporary art, Los Angeles, to another, MoMA PS1 in New York. My intellectual roots and foundational years as an arts professional are in New York City, so I’m thrilled to be returning to such an esteemed institution that is not only central to New York’s ecosystem, but loved by artists internationally. 

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
The museum field is undergoing many changes that are exciting and full of hope. We’re thinking about our publics and constituencies in new ways and opening up to non-canonical histories and a broader representation of artists. Because of this I still believe the museum field offers some of the most exciting career opportunities in the humanities. My own passion lies in the curatorial realm, working to provide a platform for artists and supporting their visions. 

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I’ve wanted to be doing this work since I was a young art historian starting out. It’s hard to imagine doing anything else, but I have thought about quitting my day job and working full time on the ocean and how climate emergency is affecting it. Probably that’s what we all should be doing!