2023 Power Players Rising

Lucas Shapiro is the interim executive director of ALIGN, an organization that leads coalitions fighting for climate action, worker justice, and corporate accountability. This year, their city and statewide coalitions are fighting to secure climate investments with strong labor standards and pass stronger warehouse worker protections. Prior to joining ALIGN as deputy director in 2022, Shapiro worked with Families United for Racial and Economic Equality, Frontline Election Defenders, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, and Mayday Space.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
In 2023, ALIGN succeeded in expanding our team, passing climate legislation with gold-star labor standards, and winning a higher minimum wage for millions of New York’s workers. I’m particularly proud of these achievements while shepherding ALIGN through a time of transition following the departure of our longtime executive director earlier this year. Together with our environmental justice, community, and labor partners, we’ve set a bold, winnable policy agenda for this upcoming political cycle.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
To build a better world, we must be both practical and visionary, seeking relationships built on trust, solidarity, and shared goals. It’s essential to stay grounded in who we are accountable to in the broadest sense: our colleagues, our movement partners, the workers on the shop floor, frontline communities hit hardest by exploitation and climate chaos at home and abroad, and future generations.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
If we weren’t living through a time of extreme wealth and power inequity amid the highest temperatures on record, I might just design scavenger hunts, clear nature trails, direct a dance-along disco movie to be screened at nightclubs, and organize delegations of movement leaders to meet with their peers across borders.

Siobhán Stocks-Lyons is an account director at Marino PR within the firm’s real estate and property innovation unit, driving the day-to-day strategic communications activity across a range of the agency’s residential and commercial real estate development clients including Jamestown, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Douglaston Development, LCOR, The Moinian Group, BRP Companies, and Skanska. Stocks-Lyons graduated magna cum laude from The University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication and a minor in marketing.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I’ve played an active role in responding to RFPs that have resulted in the continued growth of Marino’s real estate and property innovation practice, as well as aided in the evolution of the unit internally through having a hand in the hiring, mentoring, and managing processes of new team members. 

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
PR is an immensely fast paced and high stress career path, and while that can be exhilarating, it can simultaneously be very overwhelming. Recognize that the entirety of your skillset won’t grow immediately and allow yourself the time to assimilate, learn from the experience of your peers, and most importantly, read all that you can about the field that you’ll be looking to communicate externally, paying close attention to its specific nuances and trends. 

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
Ahead of becoming a publicist working within the realm of real estate development, I was a professional ballet dancer with the Colorado Ballet, which was the facet I dedicated my life and time to prior to public relations. If I were to ever pivot away from the field of PR, I’ve always been interested in becoming a broadcast news anchor, taking a heightened front seat in delivering news to the public.

Chase Strangio is deputy director for transgender justice at ACLU’s LGBT and HIV Project. Strangio focuses on impact litigation, and legislative and administrative advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and other people living with HIV in the USA. Previously, Strangio was an Equal Justice Works fellow and the director of prisoner justice initiatives at the Sylvia Rivera Law Project. In 2012, Strangio co-founded the Lorena Borjas Community Fund which provides direct bail and bond assistance to LGBTQ+ immigrants in criminal and immigration cases.

Erika Tannor is an SVP at Tusk Strategies where she leads clients on legislative, media, and political strategy. A seasoned government professional, she previously served as communications and policy director in the NYC Council where she guided significant legislation to passage and secured high-profile press coverage. Previously, Tannor worked for NYC Public Advocate Letitia James and on several electoral campaigns. Tannor is the co-founder & vice chair of the 5BORO Institute, a NYC think tank.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I am proud of my contributions to NYC’s newest think tank dedicated to city public policy, the 5BORO Institute. Our landmark report on the city’s staffing crisis rang early alarm bells about the importance of the city’s workforce to delivering crucial services and resulted in policy changes. I look forward to the impact of the 5BORO Institute as a pivotal ideas lab for our city, particularly in memory of our co-founder, the late Dick Ravitch. 

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Immerse yourself! Go to those happy hours, fundraisers, rallies. Get involved in your local political club and community board. Meet your local elected officials. Develop genuine relationships that will last you a lifetime in your career and personal growth. And make sure you read local news, everyday!

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
Publishing. It would be so exciting to search for the next great novel (and read hundreds of books in the process). 

Born in the Philippines, with a Filipino and Fujianese-Chinese background, Clifford Robin Temprosa began his career at 19 under the mentorship of then Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez. Now 22, Temprosa leads the 18% and Growing Campaign of over 100 organizations to advocate for progressive fiscal policy for AAPI communities across NYC. He is deeply committed to building political power, amplifying social justice, and cultivating a movement of an unapologetically engaged and united AAPI diaspora rooted in power. Temprosa is a brother of Delta Epsilon Psi National South Asian Fraternity Inc. 

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I founded and chaired the AAPI Caucus of the Queens County Young Democrats, which has quickly grown to become a political incubator for the AAPI diaspora. We build power and amplify political leadership that is centered around and driven by AAPI communities, disrupt and liberate our communities from the narrative of the “Red Wave,” and ensure that our communities are incubated to become an influential force in the fight for democracy in New York. 

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Don’t let anyone tell you to wait your turn. If we all wait for the right moment or for meritocratic approval to fight for what we believe in, then we are only perpetuating a staggered and blurred vision of true progress in our society. Amplify the stories of your community unapologetically, and work to inspire change by transforming hearts and minds because to truly change the world, we must first inspire change amongst the people. 

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I’ve always wanted to own an ice cream shop and cafe that serves as a hub and incubator for young people interested in political and nonprofit leadership. Folks can come in and network with leaders, attain free mentorship, and receive advice on their political aspirations or establishing and expanding their nonprofit. It’s a place that brings individuals together to challenge their thought process, views, and visions over great coffee, ice cream, and Filipino/Chinese food! 

Helen Toomer is a veteran arts leader, with over 15 years’ experience organizing events, exhibitions, and residencies, and a track record of launching new organizations and convening the arts community. Toomer is the founder of Upstate Art Weekend, co-founder of the artist’s residency Stoneleaf Retreat, and co-founder of Art Mamas Alliance. Toomer has directed several commercial art fairs including the IFPDA Fine Art Print Fair, PULSE Contemporary Art Fairs, and Collective Design Fair.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
2023 has been a busy year! I’m proud we were able to launch a successful art fair in the heart of New York City that brought together thousands of people — art lovers, artists, collectors, and curators — to discover and acquire photography and new media. The fair was created as a new kind of platform for this specific area of cultural production and the artists driving it. It’s wonderful that we were able to bring something new like this to the New York arts landscape.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Work hard. Be kind and keep your contacts up to date, as your network will grow with you.

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I’d probably be a stylist. I love shopping for others!

Camille Joseph Varlack is chief of staff to the 110th Mayor of NYC. She is the former deputy director for state operations, chief risk officer and special counsel for New York State. Ms. Varlack served as an assistant district attorney in Kings County and was a principal court attorney to a New York State Supreme Court Justice. Ms. Varlack earned her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and undergraduate degree from the University at Buffalo.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
Quarterbacking our response to the unprecedented asylum seeker crisis during which over 98,500 asylum seekers have entered into New York City, with 57,300 still in our care.

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
Take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. Work hard, ask questions, and be ready to pitch in. There are few better ways to serve the world than being in government. Your contribution matters. 

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I’d be a novelist living on the beach, or performing in plays on Broadway.

Jennifer White-Reid, Esq. has dedicated her 20+ year career to the empowerment and wellbeing of underserved individuals and families. As chief of staff and senior advisor, White-Reid is a thought partner to URI’s CEO, helping to catalyze efficient collaboration across administrative, programmatic, funding, and policy agendas. She brings her expertise and experience in leadership, management, and advocacy, having previously served as URI’s SVP of domestic violence residential and legal programs.  

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in 2023?
I’m proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of URI’s People and Animals Living Safely program, a lifesaving initiative that I developed, along with my colleagues, to offer safe shelter and support to domestic violence survivors and their pets so they can live and heal together. I am grateful to our partners, staff, and survivors who joined our efforts to change hearts and minds, transform the laws, and increase safe spaces for families.  

What advice would you give to someone starting off in your industry?
I encourage everyone to maintain connections with their friends, mentors, supervisors, and colleagues. The world is small, and these connections can provide you with advice, information, and contacts that can lead to job opportunities and other ways to develop your skills. Don’t be afraid to ask these individuals for help.  

If you weren’t in your current career, what else would you be doing?
I’d probably be traveling the world engaged in international human rights work.  

Rowan D. Wilson was born and grew up in California. Wilson received his A.B. degree from Harvard College, and his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. In 1986, he joined Cravath, Swaine & Moor, and was elected to partnership from 1991 to 2017. In 2017, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo nominated Judge Wilson to serve as an Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals. This April, Governor Kathy Hochul nominated Judge Wilson to serve as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and the State of New York. 

Sheena Wright was appointed as first deputy mayor by Mayor Eric Adams in January 2023. Previously, she served as deputy mayor for strategic initiatives. Before joining city government, she led numerous nonprofit organizations in the city, including United Way of New York City and Abyssinian Development Corporation. Wright completed both her undergraduate and JD at Columbia University, and is a member of the New York State Bar.