2025 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying

As founder and CEO of Cahill Strategies, Diane Cahill is a veteran New York lobbyist with over 25 years of experience. For nearly a decade, she has led her NYS and NYC certified MWBE firm, guiding clients through real estate, construction, education, health care, nonprofit, and procurement challenges. Diane has secured landmark autism legislation and led major construction safety reforms, delivering meaningful policy change across public and private sectors with integrity and a solutions-focused approach.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
With 25 years of experience as a New York lobbyist and nearly a decade leading my firm, I’ve learned that ethical lobbying is the key to lasting influence. Credibility and trust, once earned, are invaluable, and transparency, honesty, and consistency build enduring relationships, helping shape policy more effectively. True power in lobbying comes from cultivating a reputation as someone who brings solutions, not just demands, earning respect over the long term.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
In the past year, I’ve secured contracts for an international company in New York, brought dozens of major construction projects in NYC to fruition, and raised funds for autism and STEM education initiatives for pro bono clients. Balancing strategic advocacy with ethical practice, my firm successfully advanced our clients’ goals while making a meaningful impact on the community, demonstrating that effective lobbying combines results, integrity, and long-term relationships.

James Christopher is a seasoned political communications strategist and the founder/managing director of James Christopher Communications, LLC. Renowned for transforming bold goals into winning narratives, he blends data-driven analytics, deep media relationships, and battle-tested messaging across political, legal, and professional services sectors. His expertise stems from leadership roles in the New York State Assembly Majority Whip’s office and the Brooklyn Democratic Party, where he delivered record-breaking voter engagement, and serves as a trusted advisor.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
That you need to take risks and be a continual learner to become a leader and achieve true success in the ever-evolving and hyper-competitive field of PR and lobbying. Helping New York’s largest change-makers in business, politics and advocacy has shown me that those who make the biggest impact are not afraid of failure; they embrace it in a strategic way to push boundaries and achieve bold change for our communities.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
This year, I helped achieve historic electoral wins, legislative changes and defend the reputation of Democrats on a national level. But my proudest achievement is making the leap from public service to building a full-service public relations, communications and political consulting firm. Founding James Christopher Communications with self-funding and scrappiness has allowed me to open my doors to a world of possibilities to achieve change during this pivotal election cycle and beyond.

Stacey Ross Cohen, a native New Yorker, founded Co-Communications, a full-service PR and marketing agency, in 1997. The agency serves sectors including economic development, real estate, education, health care, professional services, and hospitality. With prior experience on Madison Avenue and major television networks, Stacey excels in leveraging clients’ unique voices for impactful campaigns. Her accolades include Forbes Enterprise, PRSA Practitioner of the Year, City & State NY/Power100, and Crain’s New York Business recognition. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
I’ve learned that the real competitive advantage lies in embracing change and driving innovation. The pace of business and life means that if you keep doing the same thing, you risk getting stuck in reverse. Staying curious, testing new ideas, and being willing to shift course have been key to growth. Whether working with clients or launching new ventures, progress comes from pushing boundaries, not clinging to what’s comfortable.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
One of my proudest achievements this year has been releasing Brand Up 2.0: Propel Your Early Career Success, a project close to my heart to help early-career professionals market themselves to stand out and succeed. A close second is stepping into my role as an adjunct marketing professor in Fordham University’s new hospitality program within the Real Estate Institute, preparing students to excel in a rapidly changing industry.

Anthony Constantinople has spent more than 20 years shaping New York’s landscape on land use, energy, environment, and education. Known for forward-looking strategies that anticipate sustainability and resiliency needs, he has driven major land use actions, code amendments, and legislation across city, state, and federal levels. A board member of the New York League of Conservation Voters, he has been named to City & State’s Energy and Environment Power 100 among others.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Our industry relies on quick thinking and the ability to pivot from issue to issue. Helping clients prepare strategies requires flexibility and anticipation of various challenges. Moving the needle forward, even in small ways, ultimately leads to lasting progress.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Continuing to shape our city and state’s energy clean transition, particularly in advancing the policies that support that transition has been very rewarding.

Perry Vallone has spent over 15 years advancing C&V’s mission of “doing the right thing” in real estate, land use, and government relations. He has led large-scale housing developments that created thousands of affordable homes, secured vital appropriations for nonprofits, and guided clients through city, state, and federal processes. Known for trusted relationships and strategic insight, Perry delivers results that strengthen communities and ensure clients can meet critical public needs across New York.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Doing the right thing means staying true to who you are and for me, that has always meant prioritizing relationships. Success comes not only from building them, but from continuously nurturing them. Longstanding trust and community partnerships have been the foundation of our work, and that sustained collaboration is what truly drives projects forward.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
One of our biggest accomplishments this year has been helping address New York City’s affordable housing crisis. We’ve supported the advancement of major projects that will bring much-needed homes, while also securing critical funding and resources for organizations already serving our communities. Helping organizations secure funding and resources to continue serving our communities is always a highlight.

Robert Cornegy is the founder and CEO of 610 Collective LLC, a boutique consulting firm. He served two terms as a NYC council member, during which he held various important positions such as the chair of the council’s committee on housing and buildings, small business and the minority- and women-owned business enterprise task force (M/WBEs). Cornegy was also a member of the budget negotiating team. Cornegy is a Melking fellow at MIT.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Relationships cultivated are worth more than gold.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Working on the proposed casino and entertainment complex in Coney Island proposal.

Stephanie Crockett is president and chief executive officer of Mower, a fiercely independent, 100% employee-owned integrated marketing, advertising and public relations agency. She also leads the agency’s Energy & Sustainability practice. Drawing on her 25 years in marketing, Stephanie has led multidivisional complex lead-generation and nurturing programs for key clients. Stephanie is very active in the Central New York communities, serving on several local boards and chapters. She lives in Syracuse, NY with her husband.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to chart your own path using the lessons you learn along the way. It’s tempting to ask yourself “How would X person handle this if they were in this situation?” I seek guidance and learning every day through a variety of people and resources to learn and grow as a leader, but I always stay true to myself and do not try to be someone else’s version of a CEO.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
I am extremely proud of Mower achieving WBENC Certification this year. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the leading national organization dedicated to helping women-owned businesses thrive. This world-class certification is accepted by thousands of corporations representing America’s most prestigious brands and is a demonstration of Mower’s financial and operational excellence, as well as our culture of belonging. Certification is a rigorous process, and I am so proud of our team’s accomplishment.

Richard Fife started his career with the Garth Group and has gone on to develop strategy and produce media for mayoral, congressional, senatorial, gubernatorial, and presidential campaigns in more than 15 states. He has served as a strategist and communications consultant to the winning campaigns of President Barack Obama, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and Senator Robert Jackson. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you ca

Founder and president of the firm, Anat brings over two decades of experience in government, advocacy, health care communications, and nonprofit strategy. She has led major campaigns that combine media, policy, and stakeholder engagement – positioning complex issues for public impact. Under her leadership, the firm has grown into a trusted partner for mission-driven organizations, known for strategic counsel, client service, and results that advance equity, strengthen communities, and build lasting visibility.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
All the lessons are important, but at the end of the day, if your north star is always doing right by your people, your clients, and your colleagues, you will succeed.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
I am most proud of our more than 90% client retention rate, which we continue to maintain as we grow. It’s a testament to our ongoing ability to deliver the highest quality client service, strategic counsel, and the consistent communications results our clients deserve.