2022 Power Players Rising

Elsie is currently the chief of staff to Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala.  Managing projects such as the Second Avenue Subway, the Park Avenue Viaduct, overseeing legislation and managing a team of eight people. Previously, Elsie served five years under the previous Speaker of the City Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito. Committed to serving her community, she has spent the last ten years serving on the boards such as Manhattan Community Board 11, Union Settlement and served as a judicial delegate in 2010.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
2022 was a hard year for me personally. I lost my older sister, father, grandfather and brother-in-law in the span of 10 months. Processing grief while summoning the courage to switch careers and step forward into my passion of serving my community was a decision that was difficult, yet powerful. I see that move, this journey, as my biggest accomplishment in 2022 and look forward to applying that strength to my work.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
The most powerful advice I can give anyone is to allow yourself to be led by your passion. You cannot feel fulfilled nor successful in any career, if you do not have a deep understanding of what motivates you to do what you do everyday. Second, never be afraid to ask questions. Too often, we allow fear to silence us, preventing us from seeking clarification or understanding. Be brave!

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
Since beginning my career, I have had a team of strong women who have invested time into guiding me. Firstly, my mother, Elsa Custodio, a lifelong educator who taught me the value of patience, love and kindness. Gloria Quinones, Melisa Mark-Viverito, Diana Ayala, Melinda Velez, Sandra Talavera, Danielle Martin and Michelle Cruz, who are all revolutionaries and visionaries in their own right. These women pour into my growth consistently, and I look to them for strength.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I have always placed emphasis on the journey over the destination. I give 100 percent of myself, follow my heart, stand strong in my values and trust that it will lead me in the right direction. Where will that get me in five years?  The answer will be a true testament to the dedication I show to my community each day. With certitude, I know that I will land exactly where I belong.

Council Member Amanda Farías represents the 18th District in the Bronx. She’s a native Afro-Latina to the district she serves. Farías’ extensive work experience includes a national campaign, the New York City Council, the Consortium for Worker Education, leading a mutual aid network, and being an advocate for women and working families. As a council member, she serves as the chair of the Committee on Economic Development and the co-chair of the Women’s Caucus.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
In my first year as a council member, I am happy to have accomplished several firsts for my district and fulfill my campaign promises. My office ran CD 18’s first year of participatory budgeting, I spent 49% of my capital budget on affordable housing projects, and hosted numerous resourceful giveaways and events for families. I also advocated to restore TAP after 26 years and invest $13.9 million in economic development programs.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
I would say, remember to have the follow-up coffees, send the thank you notes, build the relationships, and ask people to mentor you. A lot of this is created by you, and will not just happen on its own. Most importantly, live by the mantra, the question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
There were many moments that moved me in this direction, but working on President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012 redefined how I engaged with working families and combating systemic and structural racism in our local communities. This was really the spark that lit the fire inside me to want to do more, see the pathway to do so, and know that I had the guts to try.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I definitely see myself still working as hard as I am now for my community at City Hall. And I hope to be planning additional ways to expand my role in the continued fight to represent working families.

Hunter Friedland is founder and CEO of Cirona Labs, and co-chair of the CANY Processing Committee. Hunter founded Cirona in 2018 while a student at Cornell University and received an early NY license to process hemp. Since then, Hunter built a stellar team of leading scientists, cannabis operators, CPG manufacturers and leading innovators in food recipes, branding and packaging. In 2022, Cirona will be operating a fifty-thousand square foot facility production and distribution of infused cannabis and hemp products.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
2022 was a pivotal year for Cirona Labs. Building out the team with the best people who have the same passion for this industry was one of the driving goals for 2022. If you want an A team, you need to start out with A+ players.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
The advice I would give anyone starting out in this business is to have a true affinity for the plant and a commitment to work hard for many years. Nothing will be without challenges and the journey will not be an overnight success. This is a long game, but if you are willing to stay the course, the sky’s the limit.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My father is an entrepreneur with successes and failures. He always told me that if you want to create something special you need to nurture it and excite the best people to join; you need to have passion to do it. The output of your vision will bring happiness to the people that will buy your product or service.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Five years from now I envision being a part of a global industry that pushes the bounds of innovation within the intersection of culture, production, and science. As both US and international leaders continue to destigmatize the plant and develop and implement regulations it will mark the transition from prohibition to a global market.

Throughout his career, spanning nearly a decade, Drew has worked in federal, state and city legislative affairs to identify and mitigate the everyday challenges faced by New Yorkers. As a result, he has helped connect local stakeholders to critical programs and services that spur growth, ensuring every community has the necessary resources to thrive. Currently, Drew is the vice president of Intergovernmental Affairs for CAMBA. Drew has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Manhattan College and Master of Arts in Urban Policy and Administration from Brooklyn College. 

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
For me, the small wins are my biggest accomplishments. The ones that no one hears about, but it has impacted so many lives. The ability to help individuals and families through rough times this year has been my biggest accomplishment. 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Never lose the passion to help others and stay solution oriented. Be open to listening so that you can fully understand how to help better. 

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My family and experiences have inspired me to start my career. My grandfather taught the value of standing up for what is right and doing what we believe is just. No matter the circumstances that follow. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
That’s a great question, but I see myself taking on greater challenges to impact the world.

In early 2022, Luis Gonzalez was appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Ponce Financial Group and Ponce Bank. Luis brings a decade and a half of experience, working at the Office of the Comptroller of Currency in multiple senior positions over his tenure there, including work as a team leader, supervisory national bank examiner, and acting assistant deputy comptroller. With this shift to the private sector, Luis brings an impressive reputation and a sound belief that he will bring much success to Ponce Bank in the years to come.

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas (D/WFP) represents the 34th Assembly District in Queens, which includes Corona, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside. She has dedicated her work to fighting for immigrant rights, racial justice, and gender equity.  Since she assumed office in 2021, Jessica has passed bills on maternal health, transgender rights, transportation, worker protections, and transparency for opioid manufacturers. She secured funding in the state budget to increase outreach for SNAP among hard-to-reach communities, for assistance to homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ida, and to require private insurers to cover all abortions.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
I value all of the work that my team and I have done this year. But I would say that getting my legislation, the Reproductive Equity Act passed in the state budget in partnership with State Senator Samra Brouk was very exciting. The bill changed insurance law to remove old ideas about which abortions were legitimate or not and should be covered by private insurance. Now they all must cover all abortions.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
I would say do what you love and surround yourself with people who share your passion and understand it. This will make it easier on the days when the work is hard, and it provides you with a community and network in which you can help and support each other.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My grandmothers but I will say specifically my Puerto Rican grandmother, who was a hard worker and a woman ahead of her times. She took nothing from no one and worked twice as hard as any man I grew up around. She had polio and a disability, but it didn’t stop her from doing what she needed to do and what she felt was right. I’d think I inherited some of her spirit.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I still see myself being a public servant and representing my communities as best as I can. It’s been and will be such an honor to work for my neighbors and the communities I raised a family in and love. And I will do it with joy because that’s what my people and our neighborhoods give me.

Jennifer Gutiérrez is the Council Member for District 34, with roots as an organizer and activist. For a decade, Gutiérrez has been deeply entrenched in the issues faced by the families of Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Ridgewood. Born and raised in Queens, to parents who emigrated from Colombia in the 1980s, Jennifer grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with her family and attended public schools. Jennifer graduated from SUNY Albany with a B.A. in political science. Prior to being elected, she served as chief of staff to Council Member Antonio Reynoso.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
Hitting the ground running with my team to serve the community. My office has taken on hundreds of constituent cases, hosted events, and mobile office hours. I’ve secured millions of dollars for our parks, schools, and hospitals, and introduced legislation that directly came from community concerns. I’ve passed three bills: a Doula Pilot Program, the Marshall Plan for Moms, and an expansion to 311 complaint types and am working on more in the childcare space.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Get involved and ask questions. Whether it’s attending a community board meeting, or helping out at a community garden, engaging with the community around you is the best way to share skills and learn about opportunities. 

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
I was an advocate from a young age. I accompanied my mom, a domestic worker for 20+ years, to cleaning jobs to interpret and negotiate her wages. When I was 10, I would spend hours on the phone with insurance companies for my disabled father. Ultimately, it was the women of color I have been organizing with for years in my district that convinced me to run. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
That’s easy – continuing to serve my community.

Monika Hansen currently serves as the state director of Senator Kirsten Gillbrand’s office. For years, Monika has worked alongside several powerful female politicians in New York. Prior to her position in Senator Gillbrand’s office, Monika worked as the campaign manager for Kathryn Garcia during her 2021 mayoral run. Monika also previously served as deputy chief of staff at the NYC Department of Sanitation, where she assisted in the development of an emergency food program which delivered a million meals a day. Monika received a bachelor’s degree in political communication from George Washington University.

Born and Raised in NYC David is the chief development officer of Happy Munkey LLC, and has been instrumental in their legacy to legal transition into the cannabis industry, as well as establishing Happy Munkey as the east coast’s premier cannabis lifestyle brand. In addition to his work with Happy Munkey, David is a passionate cannabis advocate, licensed caregiver, photographer, curator, and community builder, with a love of NFTs, Web3, and AI art.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
2022 has been absolutely inspiring! My biggest accomplishment of the year has to be a tie between the two panels I submitted both being selected for South By Southwest and celebrating the 5 year anniversary of Happy Munkey by producing a spectacular event at the Classic Car Club in NYC with over 1000 of our closest friends and family in attendance!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
My biggest piece of advice for those looking to be in the cannabis industry is not to give up! Success takes time! Authenticity, integrity, and consistency are easily the most important traits for achieving your goals in any industry. If you lead with the intention to do good, the world and more specifically the cannabis industry will respect and support your grind!

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
I come from a family of entrepreneurial-minded people. From a young age, I was taught and encouraged to think outside the box. From selling comic books on eBay and flipping concert tickets I knew there was more to life than just working a normal job. When it came to the cannabis industry I relied heavily on that same mentality to keep pushing forward regardless of what the traditional path at the time was.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years at the age of 31, I see myself at the executive level of Happy Munkey managing a globally known brand with products, world-class events, licensed dispensaries, and consumption lounges. In addition to cannabis, I will be heavily involved with the psychedelic industry, curating art shows with prestigious institutions and galleries, as well as leading the charge of Web3 and blockchain into the mainstream!

As a vice president at Risa Heller Communications, Claire secures high-profile earned media coverage for a diverse range of clients in the firm’s real estate & land use practice, including L+M Development Partners, the Howard Hughes Corporation, Hudson River Park, Brooklyn Navy Yard and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.She previously served as deputy executive director of Global Gateway Alliance, a transportation advocacy organization. She also developed policy and social media content for education nonprofit High Achievement New York. Claire graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London with a B.A. in history.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
As is often the case in our industry, some of my biggest accomplishments are the things the public never sees.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Risa often says, “you don’t get what you don’t ask for” — and it’s true! If something seems like a reach, it’s still worth a shot.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
After graduating, I got a job compiling research reports and analyses on a range of policy issues for a transportation advocacy group called Global Gateway Alliance to generate press around the need for greater investment in the region’s three airports. Fresh out of college and new to New York, my boss at the time, Steve Sigmund, was an incredible mentor and helped me get my start.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I love working on the issues that help shape the city and are in the news every day. In five years, that’s exactly what I want to be doing.