Experience

SOMOS, Inc. (fka Somos el Futuro, Inc.)
• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Board Member

  • Feb 2023 - Present

Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District
• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Executive Director

  • Jan 2022 - Present


AstoriaCentric

• Founder/Coordinator

  • Aug 2014 - Present

  Coordinate an ongoing dinner series of local Astorians along with occasional mixers. Run the Facebook and Twitter accounts for the group. Coordinate an ongoing dinner series of local Astorians along with occasional mixers. Run the Facebook and Twitter accounts for the group.


Government Affairs Professionals
• United States
• Civic & Social Organization
• Board Member

  • Feb 2004 - Present


Out Astoria

• Co-Founder and Chair

  • Jan 2003 - Present

  Co-founded LGBT social group for Western Queens (Astoria, Long Island City and surrounding neighborhoods). Served as Chair from January, 2003 through July, 2010. From 2020, I have served as the coordinator, running monthly events and doing outreach to establishments in Astoria to host us. As Chair, I built the mailing list to over 1,500. Launched a dinner and mixer series. Led committee to create a formal structure and chaired the steering committee of the organization for the first 7 years. Oversaw formal incorporation, opening the bank account and transition to new leadership. Show less



Out Bronx

• United States
• Retail Groceries

• Founder and Co-Chair

  • Jul 2010 - Jul 2022

  Coordinate LGBT Socials and dinners in the Bronx. Run Facebook page and email list. Coordinate LGBT Socials and dinners in the Bronx. Run Facebook page and email list.



Queens District Attorney's Office

• United States
• Law Enforcement
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Director of Civic Awareness

  • Jul 2020 - Jan 2022

  As part of the Community Partnerships Division, I coordinate the 12 Advisory Councils to the Queens District Attorney. I oversee recruitment, data management, scheduling meetings and ensuring a smooth online Zoom council meeting. I also plan and execute the special events for the office, from cultural celebrations to gun buybacks and warrant forgiveness programs. I oversee the planning and execution of webinars to highlight work being done within the office and ensure the information gets out to the community. Show less



The Office of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

• Director Of External Affairs

  • Jan 2014 - Jul 2020

  Coordinated monthly meetings of the LGBT Policy Task Force, HIV Roundtable/Bronx ETE (End the Epidemic) Working Group, Organized two Bronx Tech Summits as well as various smaller Tech events to unite and grow the Bronx Tech community, build partnerships with groups outside the borough and secure resources for tech companies. Coordinated monthly Out Bronx mixers to build LGBTQ community, connect members to the office and expand email list. Ran annual LGBT Pride event (raising 25K annually to produce the event) Coordinated Greek Heritage Event, co-lead on Diwali and Guyanese Independence Events. Ran three LGBTQ Career Fairs, two LGBTQ Business Convenings, LGBTQ Immigration event and LGBTQ Mental Health Event. Ran two Pride Flag raising events, served as BXBP rep on the One Bronx Pride planning committee. Handled office response to LGBTQ hate crimes. Handled all Union outreach and response for the office. Ran annual Bronx Week Labor Breakfast. Co-lead in the office for the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative (ESPRI) and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Handled all appointments for the Borough President to the NYC Health and Hospital Community Advisory Boards. Oversaw PEP/PrEP survey of Bronx health clinics and institutions. Organized Opioid roundtables, securing participation of nearly all groups working on opioids in the Bronx. Built, deepened and maintained relationships for the office across the city – expert in the use of LinkedIn to find entry-points into companies and agencies. Coordinated speaking engagements for the Borough President outside the Bronx. Worked closely with Business Improvement Districts in the Bronx as well as Chambers of Commerce. Active participant in crafting the Bronx BP policy agenda, with a focus on LGBT and HIV issues. Coordinated Intergovernmental Affairs at the City, State and Federal levels, maintained lists of elected officials and staff with cell numbers and emails. Show less


astorians.com
• Hungary
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Moderator

  • 2006 - Dec 2019


Powhatan and Pocahontas Regular Democratic Club

• President

  • 2009 - Mar 2019

  Served on the Board from 2006 through June, 2020. Served on the Board from 2006 through June, 2020.



Gay Men's Health Crisis

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care

• Director of Communications and Marketing

  • Mar 2012 - Dec 2013

  Coordinated communications messaging for agency, both internally and externally, working on awareness campaigns and integrating multi-channel online roll-outs. Handled outreach to other AIDS service organizations, LGBT organizations and community partners for forums/events, and coordinated elected official communication and visits, updates, maintained contact list and secured over 50 visits. Coordinated candidate and co-sponsor contacts for first ever HIV/AIDS Mayoral Forum, securing candidates and getting questionnaires responses. Pitched stories to press and blogs, facilitated response to inquiries. Prepared content for quarterly Metrosource magazine HIV page. Coordinated redesign, roll-out and content for Voices of GMHC blog. Fostered inter-departmental communication (including producing internal agency electronic newsletter), established agency standard signature line, crisis communication plan, agency notifications during Hurricane Sandy, and staff emergency contact project. Supervised updating of website, including drafting content and organization of pages. Drafted and finalized new agency marketing materials including agency brochure and program guide. Oversaw social media, planned strategy, expanded presence onto new platforms, promoted pages, ran LinkedIn groups and organized Pinterest page, created and coordinated monthly social media meetings, created social media policy for the agency, doubling social media followers over a year. Oversaw marketing campaigns on multiple channels, with video, emails and web pages, including social media distribution. Ran social media trainings for GMHC staff. Managed Facebook page for CEO. Show less



Bronx Community Pride Center

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care

• Executive Director

  • Jun 2010 - Mar 2012

  Handled outreach, pitched stories, responded to media inquiries, handled social media communication, updated website and wrote email newsletter. Coordinated linkages and memorandums of understanding (with deliverables and timelines). Organized and implemented townhalls. Participated in Bronx Borough President’s tolerance roundtable. Spoke at local community boards and police precinct councils on a regular basis. Handled all external affairs for agency, including building relationships with elected officials. Coordinated development including conceiving and executing new special events, house parties, major donor cultivation, appropriations process at city, state and federal levels and grant writing. Initiated groups to build support for agency including Young Leaders Council. Created Bronx LGBT Career Fair. Managed team of pro bono lawyers representing agency on various issues, handled insurance issues. Coordinated community relations for agency including negotiating memorandums of understanding with community based organizations and healthcare institutions for referrals and testing. Oversaw finances, contracts, payroll and audit preparation, oversight of programs, development and external affairs. Reduced agency debt by $200,000 in 8 months. Built board from 3 members to 11, implemented best policies to ensure compliance with city and state regulations. Handled all Human Resources and benefits administration. Implemented re-organization and part-time layoffs to contain costs. Show less



Maloney for Congress

• United States
• Advertising Services

• Deputy Campaign Manager

  • Jan 2010 - May 2010

  Coordinate endorsements for the Congresswoman in her re-election campaign. Worked on fundraising and planning community fundraising events. Conducted outreach to labor unions. Coordinated volunteer recruitment and training. Staffed Congresswoman at events. Coordinate endorsements for the Congresswoman in her re-election campaign. Worked on fundraising and planning community fundraising events. Conducted outreach to labor unions. Coordinated volunteer recruitment and training. Staffed Congresswoman at events.



Mark Weprin for City Council

• Campaign Manager

  • May 2009 - Nov 2009

  Coordinated securing ballot access for three party lines (Democratic Party, Working Families Party and Independence Party), including coordinating petitioning. Oversaw fundraising, including preparation of call lists, planning and execution of multiple fundraisers, solicitation of major donors and contributions from unions and PACs. Supervised all volunteer staff (over 160 volunteers) including recruiting interns, training volunteers, creating a campaign structure and adapting it as the campaign moved forward. Handled press inquiries and drafted press releases and statements. Coordinated schedule for candidate. Engaged in direct voter contact and supervised tracking of voter contact information. Show less


Trinity Lutheran Church of Astoria
• President, Church Council

  • Sep 2007 - Jun 2009


Greenwich Village and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce

• Executive Director

  • Jul 2007 - Apr 2009

  Planned and executed networking events and outreach increasing membership from 200 to over 450 in one year. Expanded networking events increasing the number of luncheons and diversifying crowd. Created Facebook presence and Internet notification systems. Represented agency before community boards and government. Handled all press. Developed/managed partnerships with community organizations. Wrote newsletters, marketing material and email blasts. Managed Annual Gala and Safe Cities, Safe Communities Program, secured corporate sponsorship, ticket and journal sales. Successfully planned and implemented first and second Out to Work LGBT Career Fairs. Secured corporate and community sponsors, created media plan and negotiated all contracts. Oversaw marketing. Recruited, trained and managed volunteers. Show less


Marriage Equality New York
• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Political Director

  • Jan 2006 - Dec 2007


QSAC

• Australia
• Spectator Sports

• Director of External Affairs

  • Oct 2005 - Jul 2007

  Launched first External Affairs Department, built elected officials, press and foundations lists, advocated on autism related legislation. Made presentations at Police precincts, community organizations and other venues. Lobbied NYS Senate and Assembly, NYC Council and Congress, on appropriations and regulations. Secured funding from government and corporate sources, increasing amounts in subsequent requests. Wrote agency newsletters, press releases and public relations material. Coordinated autism awareness events. Show less



Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC

• President

  • 2004 - 2006

  Served on the board from June, 1994 through July, 2020, and served as an officer of the club for 7 years, including as President, Vice President and Secretary. The Stonewall Democratic Club is NYC's largest LGBT political organization, operating and endorsing candidates in all five boroughs since 1986. Served on the board from June, 1994 through July, 2020, and served as an officer of the club for 7 years, including as President, Vice President and Secretary. The Stonewall Democratic Club is NYC's largest LGBT political organization, operating and endorsing candidates in all five boroughs since 1986.


Human Rights Campaign Greater NY Steering Committee
• Co-Chair of the Political Committee

  • 2002 - 2006


NYC Council

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations

• Chief of Staff to Council Member Gerson

  • Mar 2002 - Oct 2005

  Chief of Staff to NYC Council Member Alan Jay Gerson, representing District 1 (Lower Manhattan, including Ground Zero, SoHo, NoHo, TriBeCa, Battery Park City, the Financial District, Chinatown and the Lower East Side). Chief of Staff to NYC Council Member Alan Jay Gerson, representing District 1 (Lower Manhattan, including Ground Zero, SoHo, NoHo, TriBeCa, Battery Park City, the Financial District, Chinatown and the Lower East Side).



Capalino + Company

• Vice President

  • Jan 2001 - Mar 2002

  Government and community affairs for an array of clients, including some in the nightlife industry and real estate development projects. Government and community affairs for an array of clients, including some in the nightlife industry and real estate development projects.



Office of Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields

• Community Liaison, LGBT Liaison

  • Feb 1998 - Dec 2000

  Liaison from Manhattan BP C. Virginia Fields to Community Boards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at various points, Liaison to the LGBT Community, worked on land use, animal welfare and nightlife issues. Coordinated Borough President's LGBTST Advisory Council. Liaison from Manhattan BP C. Virginia Fields to Community Boards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at various points, Liaison to the LGBT Community, worked on land use, animal welfare and nightlife issues. Coordinated Borough President's LGBTST Advisory Council.



Kathy Zamechansky & Associates

• Director of Communications

  • Mar 1995 - Feb 1998

  Represented clients in the fields of health care and land use before community boards, the NYC City Council, Borough Presidents and Mayoral Agencies. Worked with the State Legislature. Extensive political fundraising. Coordinated newsletters and press for an array of health care facilities. Represented clients in the fields of health care and land use before community boards, the NYC City Council, Borough Presidents and Mayoral Agencies. Worked with the State Legislature. Extensive political fundraising. Coordinated newsletters and press for an array of health care facilities.


ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
• Legal/Legislative Assistant

  • Oct 1992 - Feb 1995

Emory University
• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee
• Lab Tech - Emory University Computer Labs

  • Sep 1992 - Aug 1994

U.S.PIRG
• United States
• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Assistant Canvass Director

  • 1990 - 1990