Power Players in Public Relations and Lobbying

James is managing director at Risa Heller Communications, runs its Real Estate Practice, and joined the firm in 2014. He earned an M.S. from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was named to City & State’s 2015 40 Under 40 New York City Rising Stars list and serves on the boards of the Freshkills Park Alliance and New Heights Youth, a sports-based youth development organization.

Linden is a managing director at Risa Heller Communications where he works on a range of complex issues — from litigation and regulatory issues to high-stakes labor negotiations, and public affairs campaigns. He brings a wealth of experience from the highest levels of state and federal politics, including Capitol Hill where he held senior roles with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, and as deputy chief of staff for Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and now-U.S. Senator Tina Smith.

Camille Rivera is a partner at New Deal Strategies, where she leads the firm’s general consulting side focused on Issue campaigns, crisis communications, and electoral and messaging. Camille has deep ties to social justice and labor movements. She is a regular commentator on NY1 and has offered her voice to CNN, BBC, Politico, and other news media sites. She is an adjunct professor at Columbia University.

What influenced you to pursue a career in this field?
There was never anyone advocating for my community or my friends who were struggling. It was important to me to break down barriers that allowed others to have a chance in my neighborhood. Everyone should have affordable housing, child care and health care.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in a career in public relations or lobbying?
Be persistent; never give up; there is always a way forward no matter how hard it gets.

What skills do you think are most useful to succeed in this industry?
I think having an organizer’s mind helps. Ask for advice and never be afraid of asking a “stupid” question. You know more than you think you do.

José is a skilled and dedicated government relations professional who has worked with city, state, and federal legislators and agencies alike. He also has deep roots in community organizing through his work as District Manager of Bronx Community Board four for over eight years. José resides in the Bronx with his wife Prisca-Salazar-Rodriguez and sons, José Andres Rodriguez, and Javier A. Matos-Rodriguez.

What influenced you to pursue a career in this field?
Being a government relations specialist and lobbyist are natural extensions of the work that I have been doing. Diversity and inclusion are extremely important, and while there has been some Latino representation in this field, there is improvement in attracting and rightfully compensating Latinos within this space.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in a career in public relations or lobbying?
Know your history, study the actions of those who have come before you and learn from their victories and setbacks. Surround yourself with well-intentioned individuals and find a mentor. You got this and then some, so do you!

What skills do you think are most useful to succeed in this industry?
The ability to listen before speaking and do your research. Every day is a day filled with opportunities.

A third-generation, world-leading brand strategist, Richard Rubenstein is the founder and president of Rubenstein Public Relations (RPR). Richard has extensive experience in corporate communications and reputation management, having led programs on behalf of major corporations, family businesses and visionary entrepreneurs around the world. Throughout his 30+ years in public relations, Richard has devised media campaigns that have yielded substantial, high-profile exposure, helping both new businesses and existing brands achieve unprecedented market success.

Steven Weiss, Rubenstein Public Relation’s (RPR) executive vice president and group head of corporate communications, has more than three decades of experience and has held senior leadership roles at major for-profit and not-for-profit health systems across the country. Weiss is responsible for overseeing RPR’s corporate group, providing strategic oversight to the agency’s B2B, finance, technology, and health care clients, as well as developing and guiding the overall agency business strategy and performance, employee retention, and talent acquisition and operations.

After graduating from UVA Law School, Katie began her career in New York City government, serving across three mayoral administrations and honing her expertise in land use, historic preservation, procurement, and economic development. She subsequently held leadership positions in non-profit organizations, county government and an international infrastructure company before becoming a lobbyist in 2008. As co-chair of New York Practice, Katie leads a team of professionals and advises a wide array of clients.

What influenced you to pursue a career in this field?
I was fortunate to have extraordinary mentors early in my career, individuals who both believed in the power of government to serve with integrity and worked to advance ideals that connect and unite people rather than divide them. As my career progressed, I found an endless source of intriguing professionals and activists, and countless issues to resolve. The work is very dynamic and both personally and professionally satisfying.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in a career in public relations or lobbying?
Public life is exciting and fast-paced, but it is also complex, nuanced and rooted in history. Wherever you start your career, listen carefully, develop technical expertise, and learn and build relationships that will be sustainable throughout your career.

What skills do you think are most useful to succeed in this industry?
Subject matter expertise and communication skills are foundational for any professional in this field. Integrity, consistency, attention to detail, and strategic thinking are factors that drive success.

David Schwartz is an internationally recognized, award-winning attorney, and for more than a decade, a lobbyist, founder and president of Gotham Government Relations. David advocates on behalf of businesses, trade associations, nonprofits, 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 influenced you to pursue a career in this field?
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.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in a career in public relations or lobbying?
Someone looking to get into this field should be committed to providing expertise, strategic guidance, and personalized attention to causes and clients, and become passionate advocates supporting and nurturing a client. They should embrace diverse perspectives, work collaboratively to deliver results and champion causes.

What skills do you think are most useful to succeed in this industry?
At Gotham Government Relations our team consists of experienced professionals with political, law, business, and government backgrounds. With diverse perspectives and skills, we work collaboratively to deliver results that exceed expectations. In this field, some important skills include: effective and versatile communication both written and spoken, interpersonal skills to build relationships with legislators and government officials, diplomacy, ability to work well with others under pressure and deadline, project management, organization skills, problem-solving, research, and analysis.