
Had she not gone all-in for Christine Quinn’s mayoral run in 2013, which left her without the kind of relationship that Valerie Berlin enjoys with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, this partner at lobbying firm Bolton-St. Johns would enjoy a loftier professional perch in the city. Nevertheless, her considerable influence and ability to sway legislation continues through her close ties with the governor in particular, not to mention her voluminous Rolodex as a vice chairwoman in the state Democratic Party.