2024 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying

As founder and president of The Berman Group, Sarah works to identify challenges and develop creative communications programs that increase business and reach new audiences. Sarah works with the firm’s clients – from Fortune 500 companies to trade associations, government agencies and nonprofits – to develop winning publicity and marketing strategies based on her philosophy that successful campaigns are based on strong relationships.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Life always happens when you show up.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
Making friends in business is everything – it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity to form a relationship in business, especially in PR!

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Our firm is focused on bringing greater diversity to the real estate and business communities and we have some exciting projects that will allow us to do this in the year ahead.

Larry Scott Blackmon is an active and influential member of the community. Larry is CEO of The Blackmon Organization, a full service government affairs, public relations, consulting, and entertainment services firm. Prior to starting his firm, Larry served as vice president of public affairs at FreshDirect, the leading e-commerce grocer in the Northeast. Larry has over 20 years of public service experience.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Don’t set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
I wish I knew additional languages. Increasing my ability to communicate across ethnicities would have greatly enhanced my career.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Continued growth for my firm and my team.

Vanessa Figueroa joined Bolton-St. Johns as a vice president in 2023. She advises clients in the health care, affordable housing, transportation, technology, energy, economic development, consumer, corporate, nonprofit and education sectors on their public affairs initiatives along with providing strategic communications counsel. Most recently, Vanessa was ranked one of the top 25 communication professionals in City & State’s 2024 “Political PR Power 75.”

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
The best advice I was given early on in my career was from a former client and friend from Chicago nearly 20 years ago. Angelynne Amores, a former executive for a leading technology company, always reminded me that it is truly important to both cultivate and maintain great relationships. With this, you can understand clients’ needs and develop comprehensive strategies to drive the results that matter. Work hard.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
I would say that being determined and persistent to pitch and land good stories is added value for any firm and client. It’s critical to have a passion for media relations.  It’s also important to understand that compelling storytelling is essential in this business. You definitely want to build a reputation as someone who can deliver results and serve as a trusted advisor for clients.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
New business development and strategy is key for growth for any public affairs firm. My goal is to retain additional nonprofit clients as well as minority-owned real estate development firms specializing in the creation and preservation of affordable housing not only in New York City but also in Chicago and Washington D.C

Juanita Scarlett is a partner at Bolton-St. Johns where she advises clients in health care, energy, economic development and education sectors. Scarlett served in the administrations of Governor Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Cuomo, Governor Eliot Spitzer and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. She began her career in public service as press officer to Governor Mario M. Cuomo. Ms. Scarlett has extensive private sector experience having held senior positions at the American Stock Exchange and MTV Networks.  

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
The best advice I’ve received from a mentor is to keep a journal of my work experiences.  Writing is fundamentally a system that helps with organization and performance. Keeping a log of the people you meet and lessons learned along the way are invaluable for growth and longevity in this industry.  

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
I’m proud of the support we have provided our clients, especially in the nonprofit sector, to help raise their profiles for securing critical funding for children and family services such as early reading intervention, and support for children with autism and dyslexia. And I hope to do more.

John Brabender is the chief creative officer and managing partner of BrabenderCox, one of the nation’s premier political and public affairs, and content creation media agencies. Brabender has provided his unique brand of creative advertising to over 100 candidates, Fortune 500 companies, professional sports franchises, and nonprofit organizations. Brabender’s clients include four Republican presidential contenders and more than a dozen New York statewide and congressional campaigns, including gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin and U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis.

Yvette Buckner is a distinguished, award-winning lobbyist and government relations specialist, boasting an impressive track record of accomplishments spanning over two decades. Her expertise has consistently delivered major victories for clients across various government levels. With roots as a community organizer, she steadfastly believes that coalition-building and authentic dialogue are integral to achieving successful outcomes and sustained impact. 

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
The best advice from my mentor was to focus on building genuine relationships, the importance of trust and credibility, and how to be simultaneously persistent yet patient.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
Even when you expect the unexpected, the New York political landscape will never cease to surprise you. 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Having launched the Buckner Group in January 2024, I plan to continue achieving measurable results for our clients, expanding our reach and impact, advocating for favorable legislation, and providing sustainability for our client initiatives.

Rich has spent the last decade managing issue and reputation campaigns as well as handling crisis issues. Before that, Rich was the communications director for Attorney General and Governor Andrew Cuomo. Prior to the public sector, Rich was an award-winning television journalist. On September 10, 2001, Rich became the managing editor of WCBS-TV and led the coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks, for which the station won an Edward R. Murrow Award. 

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
I received several words of advice from my mentor: be respectful, be a good listener, and life is not based on a specific situation but on how you handle that specific situation.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
Relationships are key in this industry.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
In 2024, in whatever way I can, I hope to make my small part of the world better than how I found it.

Prior to forming Bamberger & Vlasto, Josh served as senior vice president and head of corporate communications at MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated, the operating company owned by Ronald O. Perelman. Josh previously served as chief of staff for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and press secretary for U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. Josh graduated from Cornell University in 2004 and lives in New York City with his wife, Megan, and their three boys.