2025 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying

Shontell Smith is an attorney and government affairs professional with over a decade of legislative and political expertise. She is currently a partner at Tusk Strategies, overseeing public policy campaigns in New York and across the country. Before joining Tusk, Shontell served as chief of staff and chief counsel to the NYS Senate Majority Conference. In that role, she was responsible for managing the legal, financial, communications, and public policy departments for the Majority.

Following a decade-plus political and government career in New York and Washington, Eric now advises fast-growing start-ups and founders on high-stakes political, media, and regulatory issues around the country and overseas. A lawyer by training, Eric has become the go-to political adviser for FinTechs and other advanced tech companies in New York, while building a practice that also spans AI, fantasy sports, mobility, and broader crisis management.

Bob specializes in State and local advocacy.  Some union clients include the Uniformed Firefighters Association FDNY, Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Protection Inspectors, FDNY,  New York State Nurses Association, Fire Dispatchers Benevolent Association, Dutchess County Deputy Sheriff’s, NYC Deputy Sheriffs Association, correction unions Suffolk and Westchester, TBTA Superior Officers Benevolent Association, Fire Marshal Benevolent Association of Nassau County, Council of Administrators & Supervisors, NYC Mechanics Local 246, Nassau Police Medics Association and CWA Local 1182

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
That integrity, preparation and hard work are everything.  Honesty, both with clients and the officials we lobby, has created strong relationships of trust over the years. Preparation assures we accurately present issues and solutions we recommend to clients and the officials we lobby.  Putting in the work and being constantly present in the Capital and anywhere else we lobby, assures that our clients’ urgent issues are conveyed in a clear and concise manner. 

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
We are proud that we were able to pass a number of our clients’ urgent bills through the legislature. Another accomplishment is continuing to build the strength of the relationships between our clients and those who represent them in State and local government. We are proud of our clients’ work in both the labor and corporate arenas and are very happy with how they are received by both elected and agency officials.

Ross M. Wallenstein is a public affairs and communications professional who combines a 25-year career of managing ambitious communications and stakeholder programs for a host of private and public corporations and nonprofit organizations with a long history in New York politics and government. Ross’ expertise covers a wide spectrum, including consumer issues, transportation, energy, real estate, stakeholder outreach, community affairs, and neighborhood branding.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Work hard all the time – even when you think no one is looking. People will take notice.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Wall to Wall Communications is proud to have expanded our services into a variety of sectors and service areas. The firm has spent time this year on direct media relations campaigns, while also expanding to include general public affairs consulting, paid advertising, email marketing campaigns, and more.

David is the co-founder of Brown & Weinraub, New York’s top lobbying firm. He sets the overarching vision for the firm and provides the strategic framework necessary to meet each client’s objectives. The common theme of David’s experience – confidential, high level, complex assignments with little margin for error. The firm’s growing list of clients attests in no small part to David’s creativity, prudent judgment and network of key policy makers and political thought leaders.

Michael Woloz owns and operates CMW Strategies, a top-ten NYC-based lobbying firm operating statewide. Woloz has built CMW into a lobbying powerhouse, specializing in arts and culture, energy, technology, transportation, real estate and nonprofits. He chairs the NYC chapter of the New York League of Conservation Voters and is vice chair of the anti-poverty nonprofit Urban Upbound. He previously wrote for the New York Times and Newsday and worked for the NYC Council.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Never get too comfortable. New York moves quickly and you have to always be one step ahead of the curve professionally.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
I achieved a historic and unprecedented increase for CMW client, the Cultural Institutions Group, which includes the city’s leading museums, botanical gardens and performing arts centers, securing $75M in the New York City budget, including $45M baselined. This is the largest single increase in decades and helps arts and cultural institutions and arts program groups weather the storm coming from federal cuts, among other challenges.

With experience in three presidential cycles including the 2012 Obama campaign, Trip Yang has led winning electoral and public affairs campaigns at every level. Trip Yang Strategies, the #1 AAPI-owned political strategy firm in NY, that has elected dozens of candidates to office, including in many districts with AAPI voters. As a media commentator, Trip’s analysis of political trends and voter behavior has been featured in the New York Times, CBS, NBC, and other publications. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
What separates politics from other industries is that politics places more emphasis on relationships and reputation. Always do the right thing by your clients, by your employees and team members. If someone is, for whatever reason, persuaded to try to make a quick immoral buck, it always catches up to them in the long run.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
We have advocated for years for the Democratic Party – and political stakeholders in general – to invest in AAPI communities. Last year, our persuasion efforts were a massive success. We produced over 50 direct mail pieces across 17 campaigns and seven languages – reaching over 200,000 crucial voters. The vast majority of our campaigns were victorious, demonstrating the value of communicating with AAPI communities – the fastest growing in the country.

Marc Zdanow is a veteran political consultant and the founder and CEO of Engage Voters US (EVUS), where he delivers curated voter data, micro-targeting, and engagement solutions for campaigns, municipalities, and advocacy groups. With over two decades of experience in marketing and political communications, Marc blends technology and personal service to help clients move voters. He is also a plant-based yogi, avid swimmer, and devoted father who calls New York City home.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is about people. Recognizing good people and honoring those relationships with loyalty, care, and support has been the key to growth and improvement. They need to know they’re valued. I’ve also learned that there is no hard line between work and life; the real challenge is balancing all of it in harmony, as a leader and as a person.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
My biggest accomplishment this year has been building the strength of EVUS from the inside out; enhancing our data analytics, refining how we serve clients, and investing in the growth of our team. That combination has allowed us to deliver better results and prepare for the next stage of growth, making this a year of real progress and laying the groundwork for even bigger impact ahead.