2025 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying

For 31 years, Diana has represented the business community, managed complex issues and built strong partnerships. This experience has positioned her as a leader in the field, with the foresight to anticipate challenges and deliver effective solutions. She is a fierce and effective advocate for her clients, consistently driving client priorities into successful outcomes.  She serves on Siena University’s Board of Trustees and Albany County Business Development Corporation’s Al Tech Loan Fund.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in lobbying is that lasting influence comes from trust, strong relationships, and treating everyone with respect and kindness – not as a sign of softness, but as a cornerstone of effectiveness. Success depends on understanding stakeholders’ priorities, listening carefully, and providing clear, reliable guidance. These principles allow for meaningful, long-term outcomes that benefit both clients and stakeholders.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Aside from successfully achieving all my clients’ goals this year, my biggest accomplishment has been streamlining operations to enhance both efficiency and impact. I have worked closely with staff to share years of experience and strengthen their lobbying skills, ensuring alignment with our broader strategic objectives. This combination of client success, operational improvement, and talent development has positioned our team for stronger performance and long-term success.

Rick founded Ostroff Associates in 1995, building it into one of New York’s premier government relations firms by providing unparalleled leadership and expertise to clients throughout New York State and Washington, D.C. With over 40 years in government and politics, he previously served in senior roles for Governor Mario Cuomo. Rick is deeply engaged in civic leadership and philanthropy in his community, serving on numerous boards and supporting local non-profits in Albany.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Over four decades, I’ve learned that integrity and preparation are the bedrock of success. Keeping your word builds trust, while being thoroughly informed about policy, context, and stakeholders earns credibility and results. Together, those qualities build lasting relationships across administrations, government branches, and industries. Success in this field isn’t about just showing up; it’s about showing up with purpose, depth, and values that endure.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
We achieved many notable accomplishments this year, including securing critical funding for the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce, the South End Children’s Café, and the Albany Capital Center. However, I’m especially proud of expanding our procurement services team with the addition of Ruth Walters as senior advisor. Ruth’s experience, from founding her own consulting firm to managing large-scale public contracts, adds strategic depth, credibility and enhances our ability to guide clients through procurement with confidence.

Vito R. Pitta is co-managing member of the lobbying/consulting firm, Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno LLC. He is also co-managing partner of the labor, employment, employee benefits, and political law firm, Pitta LLP; and partner in the 9/11 victims compensation law firm, Pitta & Baione LLP. Mr. Pitta’s practice focuses on traditional lobbying before all state and local government bodies; campaign finance and political law; and union-side labor law.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Integrity is essential. In a business that depends in significant part on relationships, credibility, and trust, your character and your word are your currency.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
On behalf of Bally’s, which is seeking to develop and operate a gaming facility on the site of the Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point, I played a pivotal role in obtaining the land use approvals needed for the project to proceed. This included a City Council home rule message and a ULURP application, marking the first time a Mayoral veto of a City Council land use action was not overridden since 1992.

Alexis Grenell is the co-founder of Pythia, where she leads innovative issue campaigns for workers’ rights, gender equality, climate policy, and small “d” democracy. With more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of policy, politics and press, Alexis designs strategies to build consensus and drive meaningful change.

Over nearly 25 years of work in New York politics, government and communications, Evan Thies has established himself as a preeminent Democratic strategist. His wins include many of the most prominent policy fights, land use projects and political campaigns over that time – including electing a mayor, flipping the Senate, and other victories. Recently, Thies oversaw strategy on the successful expansion of Hudson Yards, passage of City of Yes, and Waymo’s approval to test on city streets.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
The successful expansion of Hudson Yards, the passage of City of Yes, and Waymo’s approval to test on city streets.

Red Horse Founding Partner Doug Forand brings over three decades of campaign management, strategy and messaging experience to RHS’s clients. Prior to forming Red Horse, he served as executive director of the NYS Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. He has overseen successful campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels and worked extensively with progressive nonprofits on issues including the environment, trade policy, social services, consumer protections, housing, and government reform.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Trust your gut but follow the data.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Surviving the first eight months of the shitshow that is Washington, and helping elect Mark Levine as our next City Comptroller.

Matt has been at the forefront of winning campaigns for two decades. With extensive expertise in targeting, polling, media buying, and strategic planning, Matt has guided hundreds of campaigns and overseen massive statewide efforts for organized labor and issue campaigns. In the last two years, Matt helped elect Comptroller Mark Levine, led independent efforts to win five Congressional districts, beat out Republicans to elect two progressive independents in Philadelphia, and helped pass phones-free schools.