2024 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying

One of NYC’s leading voices in public affairs, a problem-solver and a trusted advisor to major corporations and property owners, social service organizations and cultural nonprofits. Michele’s effective government relations, PR and community outreach strategies have guided many of the City’s highest profile rezonings and transformative development projects. 

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
I got involved in government and politics very young, because I was passionate about New York City. I didn’t really have a mentor until I met my partner Ethan Geto. He embodied the belief that, in addition to relationships and strategic acumen, you need to immerse yourself in the substance of a project, to be able to write and speak from a place of authority, to be effective. That approach continues to distinguish our firm.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
I suppose it would have put my mind at ease to know that my vocation would continue to be so rewarding amid all the changes in the past four decades in NYC. It is still a thrill to help shape NY – from championing distinctive architecture to advocating for housing and public open space, to advancing sustainable development. It’s gratifying working with awesome people to ensure New Yorkers have beautiful, equitable places to live, work and play.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
In addition to our firm’s busy real estate and nonprofit portfolio, we’ve had a number of recent victories in the world of sports, winning approval of a new professional soccer stadium for the New York City Football Club in Queens, bringing the global Cricket World Cup to New York, and securing a key license to expand tennis on Randall’s Island. I’m very excited about our successes and growing work in the sports-recreation sector going forward.

A graduate of DeWitt Clinton H.S. in the Bronx and Columbia College, Ethan Geto is a public policy strategist and trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, advocacy coalitions, real estate developers and not-for-profit institutions on government affairs, community relations and strategic communications. Previously, Ethan served in senior government posts including as NYC assistant commissioner of buildings, legislative aide on Capitol Hill, and senior policy advisor to a NYS Attorney General and a Borough President.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
I began working in political campaigns as a teenager in the 1950s and 60s in my home borough of the Bronx, supporting reform/progressive Democrats against an old-line, corrupt machine. One of the founders of the Reform Democratic movement was Eleanor Roosevelt, who I had the extraordinary privilege of accompanying to speaking engagements and hearing her formidable guidance: “It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
One can learn invaluable lessons and make advances for causes in which you believe even when you fail to achieve your immediate goals. Public policy and issue advocacy campaigns may lose at first but can raise awareness and incrementally build support, leading to ultimate victory. A half-century ago, I was crushed by early defeats in the struggle to achieve equality for the LGBTQ+ community, but came to appreciate the power of persistence and heartfelt reasoning.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Professionally, through Geto & de Milly, to continue to play an active role in delivering affordable housing, preventing child poverty, implementing better care for the mentally ill, and combating recidivism and gun violence. Personally, to continue raising funds to support the struggle of the courageous people of Ukraine in resisting fascist tyranny and helping to create the new American Museum of LGBTQ+ History & Culture.

Harry Giannoulis is the co-founder and CEO of The Parkside Group, a strategic communications and public affairs firm that has served over 750 clients. He has worked on over 300 successful campaigns and was named #1 political consultant in New York by City & State. As the chief strategist for NY’s Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, he secured a Democratic supermajority in 2020 and 2022. He has previously held various leadership roles in government and nonprofits.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
“Value honor. The only thing you take with you is your honor. So many people in the world can’t look in the mirror because they betrayed people they cared about.”

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
What you do and say has more of an impact on people around you than you think. Be considerate, patient and supportive. Listening is usually more helpful than instructing.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
We are firing on all cylinders to engage voters all over the state on the key issues that they care about this cycle. We’ll continue to maintain a Democratic stronghold in the New York State Legislature by countering misinformation effectively and deploying strategic messages to communities.

Tucker Green is the founder and president of the Threshold Group. He has worked in public affairs for over two decades, advising governors, mayors, members of congress, business leaders, labor unions and nonprofits on growth strategy and raising capital. Today, they provide advisory services to organizations and companies at the intersection of politics and government in addition to developing media and advocacy strategies for a wide range of clients.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Do the next right thing.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
I wish I knew that it was a career path because it certainly didn’t feel like one when I joined my first political campaign in 2003.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Winning back the House and electing Kamala Harris as president.

John leads GT’s NY Government Law & Policy Practice. He focuses his practice on government contracts, government affairs, government investigations, government-related real estate matters and administrative law. John counsels clients on state and local regulatory, legal, and policy matters that enhance their business opportunities in NYC and throughout NYS and specializes in all aspects of the government procurement and contracting processes including MWBE certification, Passport and VendRep issues, contract negotiations, RFP responses and bid protests.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Follow up, follow up, follow up. The key to keeping clients happy and being a successful advocate is maintaining an open flow of communication and always following up on matters and questions – email, text, phone call – whatever form of communication works best, the key is following up in a timely manner. And of course, be the best lawyer/advocate you can be by staying on top of new trends, laws and regulations that affect your clients. 

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
I really cannot say. The fun part of our industry and why I think I have stayed in this business for over 23 years in the private sector is the constant learning (as regulations, local laws and rules change), and how much fun it is to constantly meet new people as they get elected to new offices or are appointed to key positions in the government. It is a constant learning experience. 

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Every year is a new challenge, bringing new clients or new matters for existing clients. But as I spend more time in my profession, I’ve become more focused on giving back, pro-bono matters, and organization involvement: Riverside Park Conservancy, where I serve on the Board of Trustees as vice-chair; Grand Central Partnership, where I’m chair of the Finance Committee and treasurer, and the Queens Chamber of Commerce where I serve on the Board. 

Edward C. Wallace serves as co-chairman of GT’s NY office. Ed serves as a trusted advisor to companies doing business with the government. He has advised clients on major real estate development projects and major government service providers including JCDecaux and Hornblower. Ed previously served as a vice president at Boston Properties, he served as city council member-at-large (Manhattan) and then chief of staff to the New York City Council President. 

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Listen, empathize, and build on common facts to reach an agreement.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
Negotiating is better than litigating.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
Help Chuck Schumer hold the Senate Majority Leadership.

If you look at some of the biggest public affairs campaigns over the past decade, Austin played significant roles in winning them. With experience at the highest levels of government, electoral politics, labor and issue advocacy, Austin is an award-winning spokesperson and battle-tested political strategist recognized as one of the top movement communicators in NY. Austin grew up wanting to play for the Yankees but chose to pursue his second favorite contact sport: NY politics.

What is the best advice you have received from a mentor?
Do something great each day. Doesn’t matter how big or small, working toward greatness is greater than the result.

Is there something you wish you knew before starting your career in this industry?
Work/life balance is a myth and misleading. If you like what you’re doing you’re not balancing two things against each other, they’re helping keep you balanced together.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in 2024?
A Yankees championship or some other equally righteous cause.