2025 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying

Jason Ortiz is a powerhouse strategist and co-founder of Moonshot Strategies, dubbed the “buzziest new consulting firm in New York.” For two decades, he’s shaped the city’s political future – electing mayors, congressional leaders, and the Council Speaker. Jason has driven historic policy wins including cannabis legalization and vote by mail, while advising major unions, global companies, and nonprofits on navigating the high-stakes battles that define New York politics.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Moonshot Strategies passed several bills through the New York City Council for Uber and gaming clients.

Jenny Sedlis co-founded Moonshot Strategies in 2021, quickly earning a reputation as one of New York’s top political strategists. She’s spent two decades winning campaigns, shaping policy, and helping companies and nonprofits move government. Jenny has propelled candidates from City Hall to Congress and led advocacy efforts that changed the game in education and beyond. Known as a coalition builder who delivers results, she’s trusted by leaders across business, politics, and advocacy.

George Lence, president and co-founder of Nicholas & Lence Communications, has decades of legal and government affairs experience. George is president of Government Affairs Professionals and is a board member of The Broadway Association and The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, serving as its Policy Committee chair. He also serves as vice chairman of the Business Council of Westchester, chairing the group’s Government Action Council and serves on the Northwell Phelps Hospital Community Board of Directors.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Don’t judge a book by its cover – everyone has different life experiences and journeys, so don’t pre-judge if you haven’t walked in someone else’s shoes. On a very practical level, I learned to start early in my career to build a strong network of friends and allies, who have become my personal “board of directors” that I can absolutely trust to count on in a crunch for help and advice.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Certainly continuing to work with a long-time and dedicated team of colleagues and clients that I genuinely enjoy working with each and every day and having the luxury to choose projects that make me want to awaken every day, knowing that it will be a new day with a new set of goals, challenges and problems to solve, all in the name of making New York a better place to live, work and play.

Cristyne offers PR to many NYC-centric brands such as Times Square, Bronx Little Italy, Statue City Cruises, Ellen’s Stardust Diner and more. As president and CEO of NYC & Company, Cristyne was known for rebuilding NYC tourism following 9/11, launching NYC’s first consumer TV advertising campaign, patriotic tourism initiatives and recruiting events like The Grammy Awards, Country Music Awards and Super Bowl XLVIII.​ Cristyne began marketing the City in 1994, as City Hall’s youngest press secretary.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
The most important lesson I learned early in my career, terminally every day: “It’s not what you expect, but what you inspect.” In other words, check your work. 

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Aside from finally taking a family summer vacation to Greece, I find special joy in former clients returning to Nicholas & Lence Communications and becoming clients once again. That has happened around three to five times this year, a new record.

Eugene runs Legion Outreach Consulting, and in just his first year, has advised nearly a dozen candidates and elected officials – including incoming Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry and incoming Civil Court Judge Sheridan Chu. Over the last 18 years, Eugene honed his campaign skills on the most competitive NYC races, including for Mayor Eric Adams, State Senator John Liu, Assemblyman Ron Kim, Council Member Julie Won, former Congressmembers Max Rose, Carolyn Maloney, and Mondaire Jones, and more.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Campaigns deemed “impossible” are often winnable. The political class (donors, operatives, pollsters, pundits, etc) makes this determination based on unseen biases and a lack of imagination. When you find a good candidate, commit fully, outwork everyone, and systematically test every assumption. All of my victories have been upsets because transformative candidates are always undervalued.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
As a firm, we ran the largest paid petitioning operation in NYC this year, helping over a dozen clients attain ballot access with a total of nearly 200,000 signatures citywide. While I am proud of our work for all our clients, I am excited to have won with Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry (Queens, CD19) and greatly outperforming expectations with candidates like Calvin Sun for Manhattan Borough President, Sarah Batchu for City Council, and more.

Anthony Carone is the chief executive officer of Oaktree Solutions, where he leads strategic advisory, government affairs, and business development initiatives across New York City, New York State, and beyond. A trusted advisor with deep expertise in navigating complex political, regulatory, and business landscapes, he works closely with clients in sectors including real estate, health care, energy, and hospitality. Anthony is recognized for building high-impact partnerships, driving growth, and delivering innovative solutions to diverse stakeholders.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Launching Oaktree’s Sports Vertical, we built a practice that unites government affairs, business strategy, and the cultural power of sports. This initiative establishes Oaktree as a trusted partner to teams, leagues, and athletes. I am especially proud of our work with collegiate and professional athletes, guiding them through challenges they face during their careers and after retirement. We expanded internationally, developing sports projects that use athletics as a tool for sports diplomacy and opportunity creation.

Onida is a senior public affairs strategist with extensive expertise in government relations, funding development, and community engagement. She has successfully guided organizations to secure significant public investments and expand their visibility in national policy arenas, including workforce, behavioral health, and community development. Leveraging deep knowledge of city, state, and federal processes, Onida builds enduring partnerships between grassroots organizations and institutional stakeholders, positioning leaders and institutions for sustainable growth, heightened influence, and long-term impact.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?
Everyone and every organization has a story of their own that allows them to shine uniquely. This lesson applied whether I represented community television producers, newly naturalized citizens, first-time voters, national not-for-profits, or Fortune 500 companies. I identify the uniqueness of the journey and translate it into a narrative that resonates with diverse audiences and stakeholders. Making a private goal a public agenda has become my success point.

What is your biggest accomplishment this year?
Supporting Destination Tomorrow’s launch of ACE’S PLACE: the nation’s first transgender homeless shelter and New York City’s first stand-alone shelter for the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) community demonstrates a commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our society. ACE’S PLACE is an example of caring for the most vulnerable in our society and continues the history of ‘first-ever’ programs I have started or supported.