2025 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 and land use projects. Prior to co-founding Geto & de Milly, Michele led communications and government affairs for the New York State Urban Development Corporation/Empire State Development.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Our firm is at the forefront of many of NYC’s most innovative ventures, including winning approval for a vital new life sciences hub in Kips Bay. Representing New York’s first pro soccer team, NYC Football Club, since its inception, we drove the process to secure approval for its new soccer stadium in Queens, along with 2,500 affordable apartments, and continue to shepherd the rigorous collaborative work involved with achieving the project’s critical community benefits.

Bronx born and bred, Ethan is a top NYC public policy strategist/advisor to Fortune 500 companies, advocacy coalitions, real estate developers and nonprofit institutions on government affairs, community relations and strategic communications. Prior to co-founding Geto & de Milly, Ethan served as senior policy advisor to a NYS Attorney General and assistant commissioner of NYC Department of Buildings, as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill, and press secretary for a Bronx Borough President.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
A common thread for everyone at Geto & de Milly is the satisfaction we derive from leveraging our relationships in government and politics to champion and lift up the most vulnerable New Yorkers. We have helped secure tens of millions of dollars in public funding for nonprofits working to combat and divert children from the revolving door of poverty, addiction, and prison, and provide pathways to productive lives for people experiencing severe mental illness.

Harry Giannoulis is co-founder and CEO of the Parkside Group, where his strategic vision built one of New York’s leading public affairs firms, serving 750+ clients. Named the #1 political consultant in New York by City & State, he has guided 300+ winning campaigns and secured historic democratic majorities in the State Senate. A former New York State ombudsman under Governor Mario Cuomo, Harry has also served in executive, commissioner, and nonprofit board leadership roles.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
It’s important to empower the people you work with. This means listening, being patient, and being supportive.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Maintaining our company’s perfect record in winning special elections. After last year’s major victory with Congressman Tom Suozzi, this year we helped elect Democrat Sam Sutton to the New York State Senate from Brooklyn.

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.

John L. Mascialino leads Greenberg Traurig’s NY Office Government Law & Policy Practice, advising clients on government contracts, procurement compliance, investigations, and regulatory matters. He represents private companies and nonprofits, helping them navigate city and state processes to advance strategic business goals. Previously, John held several senior positions in NYC government. He serves as chair of the Riverside Park Conservancy and on the Boards of the Grand Central Partnership and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.   

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Listen, think and then respond! In order to be the best lawyer/advocate/consultant you can be, you need to fully understand the client’s needs/issues, understand and anticipate the government’s reaction/position and then and only then, put a strategy in place to get the best result for your client. 

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Continuing to get results for our clients and to continue to advise our clients appropriately in what is an unprecedented (to say the least) political and governmental landscape.  

Edward C. Wallace serves as co-chair of GT’s New York office. Ed has experience in government, law, and business. He serves as a trusted advisor to companies doing business with government – usually local government where real estate is part of the transaction. Prior to entering the private sector 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 most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Credibility matters most. That depends on integrity and honoring commitments. Second, empathy matters. Third, understanding the adversary’s point of view even when it is based on incorrect assumptions or incorrect facts. Finally, every person of good faith deserves a second chance; however, dishonest people can never be trusted.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Completing the Open Space Agreement for the “Dragon Park” on behalf of the Shirian Fetner venture, under the ramps of the Ed Koch Bridge with Council Member Won, Mayoral staffer Nate Bliss and his team, alongside my colleagues John Mascialino, Bob Harding and Ellen Gustafson.

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 most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Preparation, persistence and purpose are the winning formula to professional success. Enjoying what you do and doing what you enjoy makes the days feel shorter, yet more fulfilling.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Helping unions like the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council and 32BJ that represent thousands of hard-working New Yorkers fight for fairness, equity and opportunity for their members – by guiding their political, policy and legislative campaigns – has been and continues to be my passion, pleasure and proudest accomplishment.