2022 Power Players Rising

Bianca Rajpersaud is an associate director of government relations at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP. She has served as the director of communications for Assemblyman Michael Cusick and was a former legislative intern for Assembly Member Daniel J. O’Donnell. Ms. Rajpersaud holds a masters in Public Administration from Kent State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany-SUNY. She serves as the president of the North Shore Democratic Club, Inc. and district leader for the NYS 63rd AD. She is also a former candidate for NYS Senate.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
I am proud to have secured funding for nonprofit and cultural institutions providing services to New York residents and fighting for fair practices within the NYS procurement system. In addition, I worked to create the first NYS Vendor Advisory Council (VAC) to provide best practices on procuring tech-related items in New York.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Having a good mentor from your field will help you get far in your career. You learn from your mentor’s mistakes and will also better understand what is needed to succeed in your field.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My interest in government, specifically local government, came about during my undergraduate years at UAlbany and during my time as an intern in the NYS Assembly. People like Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell have served as a role model to me and the reason why I went down the career path that I did.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Growing as a consultant and utilizing my platform to help address some pressing issues affecting our community.

Elijah Reichlin-Melnick is a Rockland native. After graduating from Nyack HS and then Cornell University, he became a teacher. Elijah earned his master’s in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University and worked at a regional planning nonprofit. He has worked behind the scenes in federal, municipal, and state government, and was serving as Nyack Village trustee when he ran for Senate District 38 in 2020. Elijah is an avid nature photographer, hiker, and amateur pianist. He lives in Nyack with his wife Shelley and baby Sophie, who arrived in June, 2022. 

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
Personally, the biggest change in my life this year is becoming a dad. This has transformed my life more than I could have imagined and deepened my commitment to public service. Professionally, I’m most proud of my work to improve government transparency. My bill to restore government oversight that had been rolled back by the former governor, S6809, passed the legislature. The governor’s signature would strengthen government accountability and show she’s serious about ethics reform.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Once you find your passion, be open to options for fulfilling it. For me, that passion is to expand opportunities for everyone to achieve success. In every job you take on, work hard at doing it well, and recognize the lessons you can build on. Being a teacher fueled my passion to fight for educational equity. Doing constituent services for my congressional representatives showed me how government can improve people’s lives.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
During the 2008 presidential campaign, I was a recent college graduate working in New Haven, Connecticut as an elementary school teacher through Teach for America. Barack Obama ignited my desire to shift my focus from the classroom to public office. He was the first politician I’d ever heard speak to my generation in a way that was inclusive and inspiring. In 2009, I came home to Rockland and began my journey in government.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Five years from now I hope I am continuing to serve the people of New York. During this first term as state senator I have worked with incredible leaders and inspiring advocates who have partnered with me to make progress on improving the lives of all people–not just the wealthy and powerful. My work as a legislator and a public servant has only just begun. 

Jovan Richards specializes in government relations, communications, political consulting, non-profit advocacy and volunteerism, and the art and science of mixology. Jovan currently serves as the media & government relations manager for the NYS Society of CPAs; president of the NYS Young Democrats; executive director for the Westchester County Democratic Committee; vice president of Operation Prom National Network; eastern regional representative to the DNC Youth Council; vice chair of the New Rochelle Democrats; and the chair of the Association of Chartered Unit Presidents for the Young Democrats of America.

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
If I am being honest, I don’t think I have a biggest accomplishment this year. Was I elected to the Democratic National Committee’s Youth Council, yes. Was I elected to serve as a vice chair for my city’s Democratic Party, yes, but I do not know if I would call it my biggest accomplishment. I think I am building up to an accomplishment that I have dreamt of since I was 10. Stay tuned!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Find mentors that are as invested in you as you are in learning, and then find younger folks to mentor. Having strong mentors is important for growth in the early stages. A good mentor will promote your talents while preparing you for what is next in your career. A good mentor will never try to outshine you or become jealous. Find a good mentor, learn from them, and then pay it forward.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
I saw injustices almost everyday, but didn’t know exactly what they were. Growing up in a single parent household with friends in the same position, we saw how hard our parents struggled to do right by us, and it has been my life goal to find a way to help the next generation of single parents struggle less. Government has the unique opportunity to help, and I want to ensure it fulfills that promise.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In a position to do more than what I am currently doing. Whether that is in an elected office or continuing down the political path, or choosing a whole new career. I want to know what I am doing is helping young people grow, parents struggle less, seniors live longer, and ensuring the government fulfills its sworn duty to serve, protect, and defend. In five years, I want to know what I am doing is actually helping.

Mayleen Rivera is a Bronx native, fervent social justice advocate and first-generation high school and college graduate. Ms. Rivera majored in Pre-Law at Sage College of Albany and minored in Business. Mayleen currently serves as the deputy secretary to intergovernmental and external affairs for NYS Speaker Carl E. Heastie. Ms. Rivera is a City and State NY 40 Under 40 Rising Star, YWCA Resourceful Woman Honoree, Albany County Woman of Distinction and a Rising Woman of Color recipient of She’s A Boss, a non-profit centered on mentoring and women entrepreneurship.  

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
My biggest accomplishment in 2022 was being the best deputy secretary of intergovernmental and external affairs to the speaker’s office that I could be. Because of that, 10+ current/former legislators nominated me for the City and State NY 40 Under 40. I am honored to serve the NYS assembly speaker and the People of New York!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Your network is your net worth. Get out there and meet people who can elevate your growth. When you enter a room, walk in with your head held high and stay off your phone. Be intentional with your time and follow up via email or phone call. Lastly, know your ‘Why’ (i.e.: Why am I connecting with this person/organization? How can I add to them and what can I gain from building this relationship)?

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
My internship within the NYS Assembly inspired me to continue working in public service. I felt my position was making an impact in the lives of many constituents within New York. When I became a legislative director for former Assemblyman Buchwald, the policy I crafted motivated me to continue pursuing my current career path. My work ethic has elevated me into my current position within the NYS Legislature. It’s only up from here!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I envision my career and financial portfolio expanding simultaneously. My entrepreneurship journey will be flourishing and be successful. Stay tuned.

Josh specializes in media relations, issue advocacy, message development, and strategic counsel. He assists a broad range of clients across a wide array of industries and sectors, including civic, nonprofit, and corporate. Josh spends much of his time crafting messaging for clients, providing strategic guidance, and pitching relevant stories to reporters, editors, and media outlets. Prior to joining Kivvit, Josh served as a deputy press secretary for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Prior to that, he was a press officer at the New York State Department of Labor. 

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
I am proud to have had the ability to lead successful issue advocacy campaigns within the criminal justice reform, disability advocacy and Asian American advocacy sectors.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Be insatiably curious and expand your knowledge base to a wide range of issue areas. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find a mentor!

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
I have always been a talker and simultaneously passionate about government and politics, specifically progressive issues and making a difference. Working in and out of government has been invaluable. I’ve had the ability to learn from brilliant individuals throughout my career in the public and private sectors who have helped lead me to where I am today. 

Edgar Santana is currently the deputy secretary to the governor for New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul. Most recently, Edgar served as director of Downstate Regional Affairs in the Executive Chamber. Prior to joining the governor’s office, he served as director of political & governmental affairs for the Laborers Eastern Region Organizing Fund which covered greater NYC, NJ, DE & PR. Before his work with Laborers Eastern Region Organizing Fund, Edgar was the executive director at the NY State Democratic Committee. In 2008, he served as the northeast political director for Hillary Clinton for President. 

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
My biggest accomplishment in 2022 was coordinating our Winter Surge Response. Cases and hospitalizations, many fueled by the omicron variant, rose across the state at the beginning of the year. Governor Hochul quickly came up with a plan and we took action. We set-up testing sites throughout the city and got millions of test kits out to all parts of the state. The surge was beaten back with smart and targeted actions.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Advice I would have for those just starting out is to build your network of mentors. The importance and impact of having mentors in your career are incalculable. A real life example from my life is Karen Persichilli Keogh who is the secretary to the governor. I started out as her intern 20+ years ago & she has guided my career since then. Now I am proud to say I am her deputy today.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
I got into politics/government unintentionally. I was at Fordham University and I needed to do an internship. At the time, I was working at a small consulting firm so I was already getting business experience. My advisor suggested doing something different, she handed me a solicitation for Hillary Clinton’s senate office looking for interns. I applied and came to love working in government and the good work you could accomplish for people.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself still working in NYS government and politics to help people while raising my twin daughters with my wife in Yonkers. Maybe I will go back to school and get my doctorate degree.

New York City native Allegra Scheinblum is currently a partner at Culver Place Strategies. Prior to her role as partner, Allegra served as vice president of client relations for Culver Place Strategies where she demonstrated her significant experience in management and relationship building. Allegra got her start working on New York Citywide and Statewide field programs, working with members of Congress, the New York State legislature, members of New York City government, as well as with progressive PACs.

Stacey Sikes is an experienced leader in the business, government, non-profit and higher education sectors, and is currently vice president of government affairs and communications for the Long Island Association, the region’s leading business organization, and chair of Accelerate Long Island. She was previously executive dean of Entrepreneurship at Hofstra University, deputy chief of staff for Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko, director of special projects for Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, and deputy regional representative for U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. She lives in East Northport with her husband and two daughters. 

What is your biggest accomplishment in 2022?
I am proud to have developed and implemented the LIA’s Small Business Support Program to provide assistance to our region’s small businesses as they continue to navigate economic challenges, working with many partners across Long Island.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out their careers?
Do what you love, follow your talents, and be open minded about where your career may take you.

Was there something or someone who inspired you to start your journey on your current career path?
I have strong women role models in life, including my mother and two grandmothers, and they inspired me to work to make a difference.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I hope I am still in a position where I can support the economic growth of Long Island, making it a better place for everyone who lives here.

Christian Smalls is the founder and president of the Amazon Labor Union, an independent, democratic, worker-led union at Amazon in Staten Island. Smalls was formerly an Amazon warehouse supervisor, helping open three major warehouses in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut during his time with the company. He was fired in 2020 after organizing a protest against the company’s unsafe pandemic conditions. He lives in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Kate Smart serves as deputy press secretary and communications advisor to Mayor Eric Adams where she focuses on health, human services, and public safety. Prior to joining City Hall, Smart worked on political campaigns, including the 2021 Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs, President Biden’s campaign in Michigan, Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign in Iowa, and most recently as communications director on a borough-wide Manhattan race. She earned her B.A in economics and international relations from Tufts University.