Nathan has dedicated 25 years to developing innovative organizing and messaging strategies for causes, candidates and campaigns. A founding partner of Red Horse Strategies, Nathan has worked on hundreds of campaigns including helping to elect New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Congress Member Grace Meng, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, and District Attorneys Ken Thompson, Eric Gonzalez, Melinda Katz and Darcel Clarke.
Darren Rigger is a veteran strategist with over 20 years experience advising campaigns and raising millions of dollars for candidates nationwide. A former Peekskill city councilman, he has extensive networks with business leaders and major donors. Darren has represented the U.S. abroad as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and received the AAPC National Campaign Excellence Award for Fundraiser of the Year. He also serves on nonprofit boards and mentors emerging leaders.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that relationships drive results. Fundraising, leadership, and strategy all come down to building trust and aligning people behind a common goal. From raising millions for candidates to working internationally with ACYPL, I’ve seen that success isn’t just about ideas – it’s about execution, partnerships, and persistence. Strong networks and collaboration turn vision into measurable impact, whether in politics, business, or community leadership.
What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
My biggest accomplishment this year has been moving from behind the scenes to the ballot myself. After successfully helping my clients win re-election, I gathered the signatures needed to qualify as a candidate for local office in Peekskill. It’s both humbling and energizing to take the same advice, discipline, and persistence I’ve given to others and apply it to my own race. Serving my community directly is the next step I’m most proud of.
As a partner at New Deal Strategies, Camille Rivera draws on deep ties to the labor movement and years of experience with issue and electoral campaigns in New York City and across the country. An Afro-Latina born and raised in the Bronx, Camille understands the importance of bringing lived experiences to campaign leadership. Camille lives with her children in Brooklyn. She is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University.
Tyquana “Ty” Rivers is the president of Connective Strategies, a full-service public affairs firm. With over 30 years in politics and advocacy, she has built an impressive track record helping organizations and political candidates achieve success. A certified MWBE business owner, Rivers has played critical roles in winning campaigns including Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Gregory Meeks, Borough President Donovan Richards, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Assemblymember Larinda Hooks, Councilmember-elect Ty Hankerson and many others.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I have learned in my career is to never give up. The fight isn’t over when one battle is done. We definitely live to fight another day. Learn from everything and everyone.
What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
My biggest accomplishment this year was winning a couple of the most-watched races in the city. We led the campaigns of Ty Hankerson in District 28 for City Council and Vanessa Gibson for Bronx Borough President.
Rachel is a powerhouse public affairs strategist with a decade of experience shaping policy and driving major energy and infrastructure projects across New York and beyond. From wind and solar to transmission and battery storage, she blends deep expertise in renewable energy and climate tech with mastery of media, digital strategy, research, and creative advocacy — making her a force in the always-evolving energy landscape.
What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
This year, I’m especially proud of our work advancing battery energy storage. Despite organized opposition and local concerns, we’ve made real progress educating communities, reporters, and editorial boards on how storage stabilizes prices, prevents blackouts, and strengthens the grid against extreme weather – all while ensuring safety. There’s more to do, but we’ve come a long way.
Richard Rubenstein, founder and president of Rubenstein Public Relations, is a leading brand-builder and communications strategist with over three decades of experience. He has guided campaigns for landmark projects like Fifteen Central Park West and Time Warner Center, and clients such as Forbes Global Properties, Ferrari, Experian, Soloviev Foundation, and innovators in cryptocurrency. Richard specializes in strategic messaging, crisis management, and shaping public perception for success across real estate, finance, tech, and emerging markets.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Relationships are built on collaboration and integrity without compromise.
What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
My biggest accomplishment this year was the birth of my daughter.
David Schwartz is an internationally recognized, award-winning attorney and, for more than a decade, a lobbyist as founder and president of Gotham Government Relations. David advocates on behalf of businesses, trade associations, not-for-profits, foreign countries and individuals. Whether in the courtroom defending and advocating on behalf of litigants in high-profile cases or in the halls of the Capital, the same philosophy and attitude exists, which is to advocate aggressively and passionately for the client.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
I became the first trial attorney in New York State to become a registered lobbyist. I spent my career practicing law as a litigator and became actively involved with the political landscape in New York. My training as a trial attorney makes me extremely effective in navigating the political process for clients using the same philosophy in the courtroom and in the halls of government – advocate aggressively and passionately for the client.
Todd S. Shapiro is the president and CEO of Todd Shapiro Associates Public Relations, one of the region’s most well-respected and time-tested public relations firms. After forming the agency that bears his name, Shapiro quickly became known as one of the best names in the business, while also holding the distinction as one of the youngest principals in the trade. Shapiro’s strategic understanding of the media cycle coupled with over 30-years experience has made him among the most trusted names in public relations, crisis management and media relations.
Jon Silvan is founding partner and CEO of Global Strategy Group. Over the past three decades, Jon has built GSG into a 150+ person, award-winning team that advises major brands, institutions, and Democratic leaders across the country. His clients include MGM Resorts, T-Mobile, Netflix, Google, and the MTA. Jon is known for his deep expertise in navigating New York’s political, civic, and media landscape, offering counsel across research, public relations, crisis, and content strategy.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is the value of adaptability. When I started in 1995, public affairs and communications looked very different than they do today. As client needs grew more complex, we evolved. That ability to adapt and innovate has not only allowed us to remain relevant but to thrive, whether advising global brands using the latest AI technology or shaping narratives on critical issues like New York’s transit investment and congestion pricing.
What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
This year, GSG is celebrating 30 years as a leading strategic communications, public affairs, and research agency. Today, I’m proud that GSG delivers a comprehensive suite of services – including public relations, brand research, crisis management, creative content, and media solutions – supporting industries ranging from technology and energy to healthcare, finance, real estate, and transportation. Reaching this milestone is both a celebration of our past achievements and a testament to our ability to adapt and innovate.
