2022 Power Players Rising

A proud New Yorker and Bronxite, Derrick H. Lewis is an energetic and passionate advisor and entrepreneur. He has spent the last fifteen years advising companies in corporate strategy, growth, risk management, and human capital. Derrick sits on the Board of multiple for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He co-founded The Bronx Community Foundation, the first and only community foundation in the Bronx. The foundation focuses on empowering residents to achieve their full potential, advance the well-being of the Bronx community through enabling community power, and make the Bronx a global destination.

Desmon Lewis is a proud Bronxite and strong non-profit advocate. He has spent the last 15 years helping to redefine the next generation of transformative in the for-profit & non-profit space. He was impacted by the grit & strength of the community where he was born in the South Bronx &  saw his family dedicate their lives to the Bronx community, who also supported them as well. Indebted to his community, Desmon co-founded The Bronx Community Foundation, the first and only community foundation solely dedicated to the Bronx, New York.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
As part of the Bronx Community Foundation work, we had a few major milestones in 2022, including launching the first Bronx Gigabit Center and continuing to close the digital divide, launching the first of it’s kind Bronx Cannabis Hub, providing large scale support and funding for the unfortunate Bronx fires and asylum needs in the Bronx, distributing thousands of meals and also hiring our first full time employee, Dr. Meisha Porter (amongst other important accomplishments).

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
A few things I’ve learned in my career:
– Begin with the end in mind, if we don’t know why we are working or what we’re working towards we are working in vain
– Be what you want today, even if you’re not yet
– Outside of your comfort zone is the opportunity zone

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My mother and father inspired me each day with their grit, hustle and passion for our family and our community, putting both above themselves constantly throughout their lives. They dedicated themselves to service in the Bronx.

Kristina Lopez Adduci is an entrepreneur, speaker, art collector, and curator. She’s the founder and CEO of House of Puff, a New York-based cannabis brand.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
House of Puff closed a round of funding, led by Merida Capital Partners, with participation from strategic women angel investors.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Don’t worry about making mistakes, you are going to make them. Your mistakes will help you build an incredible business.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My mother, Dr. Debbie Salas-Lopez. When I was little, my mom had the audacity to completely change her life by going to medical school. Growing up with someone as daring as my mom is a huge part of why I became an entrepreneur.

Charles Kretchmer Lutvak joined the Adams administration in early January as a deputy press secretary, working primarily on housing, economic development, transportation, and infrastructure issues. He previously worked as a deputy press secretary on a 2021 mayoral campaign and before that at Risa Heller Communications. Lutvak is a lifelong New Yorker, born and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Pay attention to the details others are missing, and read the news.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Continuing to work every day to make New York City an even better version of what it already is: the greatest city in the world!

Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda, moved to NYC at the age of 7, and now represents the people of Astoria and Long Island City as the assembly member for the 36th AD. In his first term in office, Assembly Member Mamdani helped lead the fights that defeated the development of a fracked gas power plant in his neighborhood and won more than $250 million dollars of debt relief for working class taxi drivers.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
Prakash Churaman spent 8 years of his life between Rikers, prison, and house arrest because police pressured him into a forced confession at the age of 15, after which he was charged in a crime despite there being no forensic evidence of his guilt. My biggest accomplishment was being part of the coalition that got District Attorney Melinda Katz to drop all charges against Prakash on June 6.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Aliya Latif once told me that I needed to be able to look at myself in the mirror at the end of every day and be proud. I think of these words often, and they push me past the ease of silence and into the uncomfortable action of speaking up. My advice is: while your career may be a long journey, make sure that you only take the steps that you would be proud of.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
Khader El-Yateem. Before working on his campaign for City Council in 2017, I didn’t think my core political beliefs of socialism and Palestinian solidarity had a home in New York City politics. He taught me that not only could you hold such values while running for office, you could build your political vision around them.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Insha’allah still having the privilege of representing the wonderful people of Astoria and Long Island City (or wherever else they redistrict me).

Tara L. Martin has more than two decades as a decorated public affairs executive with expertise in public affairs, stakeholder management, community engagement, and labor organizing. She is the founder and CEO of TLM Strategic Advisors, a boutique social impact strategic development consultancy. TLM Strategic Advisors partners with people and organizations working across sectors to create sustainable social change. TLMSA brings diverse expertise, fresh insights, and a collaborative spirit to help startup companies, non-profits, institutions, and other social change organizations more effectively drive impact. Most recently, Tara L Martin has joined Mercury Public Affairs as a Managing Director, where she advises clients on corporate strategy, government affairs, social impact, and media strategies.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
As a new consultancy, our biggest accomplishment is launching TLMSA this year and making a splash in NYC & NYS political circles.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?

• Faith over fear.
• Listen to your intuition when you feel like it’s time to walk away from something.
• Express gratitude for everything — good, bad, and indifferent. There’s a lesson in every experience, so perk up your ears!
• Remember, whatever you put into the Universe will always come back to you, so choose wisely.
• Never be afraid to show up in this world as your true and authentic self.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My journey has had many twists and turns, but I’ve been privileged to have been mentored by some amazing Black women leaders whom I’ve adopted as my “political mamas, sisters, aunties, and cousins.”  My work with TLMSA is my love letter to each of them who poured into a young Black girl from Staten Island and created space for me to be seen and heard, and I’ll forever be grateful.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Creating a podcast that connects pop culture, progressive politics and hip-hop/R&B.

Nora was the founder and director of Rise, a NYC parent advocacy organization, for 16 years. Nora also edited the citywide youth newspaper New Youth Connections and a magazine by teens in foster care, Represent. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and has written for publications including Newsday, Slate, The Appeal, and Child Welfare Watch. Nora is a member of the steering committee of United Family Advocates and a board member of the International Parent Advocacy Network.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
NYC Family Policy Project is a new think tank that began planning in fall 2021 and launched in spring 2022. I am thrilled to be working with Dr. Tricia Stephens! Our first big project is to share new data on child welfare involvement that local leaders can use to plan for family support in their communities. Another is a new monthly column in The Imprint, Upstream City, that explores how NYC can invest in families.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Have big ideas, ask dumb questions and don’t be afraid to show people what you don’t know. If people see and get excited about what you’re trying to do, they will get involved to build with you. I’m very grateful to the mentors I’ve had in my life.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
I planned to work in daily journalism but my mom saw an ad for a citywide newspaper by and for teens in NYC and I applied. Working at Youth Communication was life changing, because I loved working with young people – and then parents impacted by the child welfare system – who were using writing and reporting as tools to get to know themselves, explore their world, connect to peers, make demands and build power.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’m not personally planful like that, but I believe strongly that our city and country can do way more to offer all families the fundamental conditions of a healthy and secure life. I also believe that access to information is critical for strong organizing, public awareness, innovation and political change. So, I see the NYC Family Policy Project growing as a contributor to the wider movement to end family policing and invest in families.

Mia McDonald currently serves as the New York political manager for the Working Families Party where she provides support for electoral campaigns, including the Vote WFP campaign. Prior to her position at the Working Families Party, Mia managed Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas’ successful 2020 campaign. Mia previously worked at SEIU 32JB as a political and community organizer, where she championed pro-worker legislation.

With a career in public service spanning nearly a decade, Lionel is driven by a passion for work that improves the lives of those around him. Lionel plays a critical role within The Black Car Fund, working closely with the executive director to increase The Fund’s profile as well as spearheading marketing and outreach efforts to the nearly 100,000 drivers covered by the Fund. Lionel has been recognized by The Black Car Fund for his loyal dedication, unwavering commitment, and significant contributions toward their goals and mission.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
My biggest accomplishment in 2022 was being promoted to manager and having my role and responsibilities grow.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and put yourself out there. Making connections and networking with people is so important and ultimately can help you find a job or career path that is meaningful to you.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
Former City Council Member Paul Vallone inspired me to start my journey on this career path. Through my work with him, I was exposed to campaigning, politics, and public service, but more importantly, I found a way to use and develop my skills to advance in my career.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself continuing to grow in this career and further expanding my role and responsibilities in The Black Car Fund. There are larger-scale projects I would like to spearhead and as I advance my knowledge and skills, I would like to contribute even more to the growth and success of the Fund.

Diana Moreno is an immigrant from Ecuador with over 15 years of experience organizing for immigrant and worker justice. Her work began in college organizing for farmworker rights in Florida. She has worked as a labor organizer, human rights monitor, and dialogue and facilitation coach. She moved to NYC in 2019 to organize immigrant workers full time with New Immigrant Community Empowerment where she now serves as deputy director. She is a member of Democratic Socialists of America.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
Our biggest accomplishment this year was signing and implementing NICE’s first Collective Bargaining Agreement with our staff union. During a year of renewed support for labor unions, pro-worker organizations must lead the way by bargaining in good-faith and agreeing to the best contract possible for staff. I’m also incredibly proud of NICE leading the push to pass Carlos’ Law in honor of our member Carlos Moncayo. We’re eagerly awaiting for Governor Hochul to sign it.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Listen and learn from those who have been doing the work. Be open to challenging what you think you know. Essentially, be humble. People who approach the work with humility and curiosity learn quickly and become effective leaders and organizers. Also, the best way to have a say in your working conditions is through a union contract. If you have a union, get involved. If you don’t, talk to your coworkers about starting one.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My grandfather Miguel, a son of indigenous farmers in Ecuador, was a leader of his bus-drivers union and a retiree rights activist after he retired with a meager pension. He never stopped fighting for working people. His legacy inspires me everyday. Witnessing my parents face exploitative working conditions as new immigrants in the U.S. also fuels my determination to fight for the dignity and rights of immigrant workers in the United States.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don’t have individual professional aspirations. I am interested in serving a larger movement for worker justice. In 5 years, I hope to be where my energy and skills are most needed to empower and organize workers to demand what we deserve.