Notable New Yorkers advocating for policy changes at the city, state and federal levels.
Every year, City & State puts the spotlight on high-ranking executives leading the state’s highest-grossing government relations firms on our Top Lobbyists list. But when it comes to influencing policymakers or securing public funds, these well-known lobbying leaders are just the tip of the iceberg. Our inaugural Who’s Who in Government Relations feature highlights a much broader community of professionals who are leveraging their know-how and connections with public officials at City Hall, in the state Capitol and in Congress. This list encompasses key staffers directly employed by a wide range of companies, organizations and trade associations with government business, as well as rising stars making a name for themselves at top lobbying shops, leaders of smaller lobbying operations punching above their weight and even a few government relations officials who are inside government. What unites them all is a record of pushing, shaping or stopping proposed policies in New York…
Nicole Epstein Schwartz graduated from Stony Brook University magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and was inducted as a lifetime member to Psi Chi, National Honor Society for Psychology. After graduating from Stony Brook, she received her law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Most recently, in 2021, she was recognized by the law school as an “Outstanding Woman in Law.” She is also the chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Nassau County Bar Association.
Recent accomplishments: Successfully introduced Intro. 0885-2023 in the New York City Council, which has 41 members signed on already. This bill restores fairness to parking ticket hearings and will increase revenue to the city. Representing the school bus contractors association – working with NYSERDA, chairs of education, the governor’s office and key stakeholders on New York state’s nation-leading switch to electrifying its school bus fleet. Ensuring school districts and contractors have the flexibility needed to make this work. Successfully recovered thousands of dollars for property owners in New York City due to property tax misclassifications in city records.
