Who's Who
The 2026 Who’s Who in Professional & Advisory Services
Notable leaders who have specialized knowledge and strategic insights
City & State presents the 2026 Who's Who in Professional & Advisory Services. Eurila Cave; Harris Beach Murtha; Snapshot Interactive
One of New York’s most valuable assets is its highly educated workforce, which forms the foundation of a robust knowledge economy. The state is home to many leaders in professional and advisory services, a sector made up of companies or departments that provide expertise and specialized knowledge, as opposed to a physical product.
Professional services are utilized in a wide range of fields, including healthcare, insurance, real estate, social services, construction and infrastructure. Specific services may include accounting and auditing, finance and budgeting, human resources, legal review or tech management – sometimes outsourced to third-party firms, sometimes handled by in-house specialists.
City & State’s inaugural Who’s Who in Professional & Advisory Services puts a spotlight on high-performing executives, managers and consultants that serve businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. This list, written and researched by journalist Lon Cohen in partnership with City & State, features key executives at Big Four accounting firms, innovators harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and other outstanding individuals who are helping achieve organizational objectives.
Alam, Mohammed
Before entering private practice, Mohammed Alam worked at Deutsche Bank, the state Attorney General’s Office, the White House and in Congress. He now brings these invaluable experiences to commercial, regulatory and voting rights litigation, handling matters for financial institutions, municipalities and public officials in state and federal courts. He is a vice chair of the state Democratic Party, advising its Executive Committee on political challenges. Recently, he represented Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta through an election challenge and successful rerun. He has also tackled fraud as well as estate asset and contract disputes.
Arrieux Jr., Roger G.
With more than 35 years in finance and business leadership, Roger G. Arrieux Jr. steers growth across 48 Deloitte East Region offices encompassing more than 52,000 professionals, while also leading the New York operation, the firm’s U.S. headquarters and largest office. Arrieux serves as lead for multinational, multibillion-dollar companies, advising on major transactions and organizational change. In 2026, he took part in Deloitte’s U.S. Open client and community programming. Beyond Deloitte, Arrieux is active with Braven New York, Black Achievers in Industry, Carnegie Hall and A Better Chance.
Berlin, Mitch
After more than three decades at EY, Mitch Berlin leads a $5.5 billion business of more than 9,000 professionals advising CEOs and C-suite leaders across the Americas on strategy, transactions and capital allocation. At EY, which rebranded its strategy and transactions services as EY-Parthenon last year, Berlin’s practice posted 9.5% growth in fiscal year 2026. Berlin also co-authored research on how artificial intelligence is reshaping industrial valuations and dealmaking. He also sponsors Unity, EY’s 5,800-member LGBTQ+ business resource group.
Bonilla, Renée
Renée Bonilla joined BTQ Financial, Consero Global’s nonprofit division, in 2023. Consero combines technology, processes and specialists to provide outsourced financial services to businesses, investment firms and nonprofits. After serving as Consero’s chief transformation officer, Bonilla became chief product officer and general manager of the nonprofit division in June, taking direct responsibility for business and product strategy. She previously spent more than 23 years at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, rising through senior roles overseeing business operations, client success, technology initiatives, and mergers and acquisitions.
Braun, Michael
Michael Braun launched Kasirer Strategic Advisors last year, expanding beyond Kasirer’s traditional government relations to help companies, foundations and funds navigate New York’s business and government landscape. Braun built a network of partners across finance, real estate and philanthropy while advising clients on policy, strategic positioning, foundation strategy and grant management. Previously Kasirer’s chief strategy officer, Braun crafted its business development and communications functions, oversaw political analysis and earlier worked on labor issues with United University Professions and North America’s Building Trades Unions.
Buckley, Erica
A former chief of the Real Estate Finance Bureau at the state Attorney General’s Office, Erica Buckley leads Nixon Peabody’s Cooperatives & Condominiums practice, advising developers on regulatory and transactional matters. Her work includes the 101 Franklin St. commercial-to-residential condo conversion in Tribeca, Manhattan, and a condominium-style model for data centers. Buckley co-chairs the New York State Bar Association’s Condominiums and Cooperatives Committee, which is within the Real Property Law Section, and the Real Estate Board of New York’s Housing Committee. She advises the Interboro Community Land Trust on affordable housing matters and writes the New York Law Journal column “Ask the Former Regulator.”
Casey, Anthony
Anthony Casey helps companies prepare for the demands that come with growth and public market scrutiny. After more than 15 years at EY, Casey joined Baker Tilly in 2022, where he advises companies on controls, compliance and public company readiness. He has developed relationships with companies before and after initial public offerings, broadening that work beyond risk advisory into other consulting services. Casey also co-authored Baker Tilly’s 2026 private-to-public transformation series and has led controls and compliance work for the spinoff of a major consumer health business.
Chung, Erica
Erica Chung helps turn public health programs into services that communities need. At California-based BluePath Health, she led the implementation of a medically tailored meals program for 5.5 million residents across three California counties and managed health services in youth and adult correctional facilities. She has also helped develop Enhanced Care Management delivery, worked with health plans, public agencies, community organizations and correctional facilities to implement CalAIM, and supported New York’s Medicaid 1115 waiver. Previously, Chung led statewide health programming and communications at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Clarke, Andrew
Andrew Clarke manages companies’ employee benefits with dual objectives: helping organizations control costs while giving workers stronger incentives to engage with their healthcare. Since joining USI Insurance Services, he has specialized in nonprofit benefits and compliance, leveraging alternative funding, wellness strategies and USI’s analytics platform. Clarke also co-hosted the second annual Nonprofit Optimization Conference with Nonprofit New York in June. Previously, he spent eight years at Aflac advising employers on benefits implementation, tax savings and employee claims. Clarke was recently named a partner at USI.
Coffey, Chris
Since becoming CEO five years ago, Chris Coffey has expanded Tusk Strategies to Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Albany, and grown its Advanced Tech Practice. He has led work for Metropolitan Park’s successful casino bid in Queens while also advising crypto firms, major corporations and nonprofits. Coffey advises political figures and has worked on New York City mayoral and City Council speaker campaigns. During his tenure in the Bloomberg administration, Coffey helped launch the city’s Digital Office and co-authored a digital government roadmap. He chairs the board of Win and co-chairs the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy board.
Constantinople, Tony
Tony Constantinople has spent more than five decades in finance and government relations. Before co-founding Constantinople & Vallone Consulting with former New York City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., he served as treasurer of a $4 billion international finance company and handled finances for the New York City Council as well as mayoral and state gubernatorial campaigns. He has since advised clients across real estate, banking, energy and nonprofits. He helped advance Gov. Kathy Hochul’s housing package while guiding firm growth and developing the next generation of its professional team.
Creedon, Corinna
Earlier this year, Corinna Creedon was recruited as practice leader to build Geller’s CFO Strategic Advisory Services, as the Manhattan-based business advisory and financial services firm expands its advisory capabilities amid growing demand. Creedon built the practice around financial strategy, operational improvements and digital transformation, advising nonprofits, SaaS companies, private equity-backed businesses and other organizations while positioning Geller’s offering as a referral partner to accounting firms. Earlier, she led New York and national advisory practices at a Top 10 accounting firm and built a nonprofit digital transformation team.
DeMatteo, Rachel
Rachel DeMatteo joined the New York office as an associate at Your Part-Time Controller in 2013, later advancing through manager and senior manager roles before becoming New York City market leader in 2023. She helped build the office into the firm’s largest market, approaching 100 professionals serving more than 300 nonprofits, while developing partnership and business development frameworks later adopted companywide. DeMatteo began her career auditing nonprofits, later worked for an economic development nonprofit and has served on the New York State Society of CPAs’ Not-for-Profit Organizations Committee.
DiFondi, Peter
Since joining the public sector technology consultancy NYSTEC last year, Peter DiFondi has introduced artificial intelligence-enabled tools and operational changes that have strengthened security, streamlined workflows and generated efficiency gains. DiFondi is now translating that work into client offerings and free AI education. His leadership philosophy stresses understanding the business and financial realities behind technology decisions and making those decisions without fear. Previously in his career, the information technology and operational executive served as senior vice president and chief information officer at the health insurance company CDPHP.
Eusanio, John
John Eusanio has helped take Citrin Cooperman’s nonprofit services nationwide, bringing new teams and client relationships into the fold while entering additional markets serving nonprofit organizations, government, higher education and healthcare. He leads the New York professional services firm’s Not-for-Profit Practice and was recently appointed Regional Assurance Practice leader for the Southeast, helping oversee audit and financial reporting work in the region. He also sits on the firm’s board, giving him a role in wider strategic decisions. His more than 25 years in public accounting include nearly 15 years at KPMG.
Garcia, Luis
Bronx native Luis Garcia is advancing strategic priorities at the Bronx Economic Development Corp, the borough’s economic development nonprofit, while coordinating business services, marketing, compliance and operations. At BXEDC, Garcia has improved access to capital by revamping small-business loan materials and internal reviews while connecting entrepreneurs with financing and technical assistance. That work extended to a $96,000 city-backed recovery fund distributed last year to six businesses destroyed by fire. Earlier, he worked at the New York City Law Department, developing the legal and compliance skills he now applies to economic development.
Garten, David
In just the past year, David Garten has helped advance the Metropolitan Park casino project through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s review, kept the 175 Park Ave. project in midtown Manhattan moving, consulted on John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 6 and supported a proposed Frederick Douglass museum and park in Rochester. At Red Oak Street, Garten advises on government relations, strategic communications and public-private partnerships. He’s also a senior adviser to RXR, drawing on earlier MTA and Port Authority roles shaping multibillion-dollar infrastructure plans as well as federal policy experience with U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Frank Lautenberg.
Goldenberg, Alan
Alan Goldenberg has led Anchin’s State and Local Tax practice since joining the accounting, tax and advisory firm in 2020, and he has continued in the role following Anchin’s recent acquisition by Baker Tilly. The experienced executive advises businesses and individuals on tax exposure, planning and disputes, including New York City’s newly reduced Unincorporated Business Tax credit for higher-income taxpayers. Recently, he helped a multistate company emerge from a New York state tax examination with minimal changes. On behalf of a film production company, Goldenberg helped resolve New York City Commercial Rent Tax noncompliance.
Goldfeder, Jerry
Jerry Goldfeder has spent his career guiding candidates and public officials through election law, investigations and prosecutions, representing hundreds of clients from local races through presidential campaigns, including Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kirsten Gillibrand and Pete Buttigieg. He literally wrote the book: “Goldfeder’s Modern Election Law,” which is now in its seventh edition. That background put Goldfeder on then-New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition advisory team. Goldfeder also chairs the American Bar Association’s Election Law Committee, directs the Fordham Law Voting Rights and Democracy Project, and recently taught a democratic backsliding course at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University.
Guillaume, George
George Guillaume brings two decades of aviation experience to AECOM, including almost 12 years at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and leadership on billion-dollar projects. Recently elevated to New York City metro+ executive at AECOM, Guillaume is helping to strengthen client and agency relationships, drawing on work including Delta Air Lines’ redevelopment at JFK International Airport and LaGuardia’s Terminal C. His role now extends beyond aviation into other forms of transportation, as well as housing and energy. A lifelong New Yorker, Guillaume serves on boards supporting economic development in Jamaica, Queens, and industry mentorship.
Hanna, Mark
Since becoming a partner at Khalifeh & Strupinsky this year, election law has become a prominent part of Mark Hanna’s litigation practice. Hanna defended ballot access for nine Kings County district leader candidates, prevailed in an election law appeal and is representing county committee candidates in Suffolk County. A Democratic district leader himself, Hanna also helped secure a September ruling voiding Brooklyn Democratic Party bylaw changes affecting party leadership. Beyond election law, he handles matrimonial cases, bankruptcy, commercial disputes and foreclosure defense, recently winning an appeal that allowed a homeowner to keep fighting foreclosure.
Jenkins, Patrick B.
Patrick B. Jenkins has spent more than two decades turning experience in government, public policy and community relations into strategic outcomes for his clients. Jenkins built his firm around government relations and consulting, including securing public funding for nonprofit and educational organizations. He had earlier stints with the New York City Comptroller’s Office and seven years working for Rep. Greg Meeks in Queens. More recently, Jenkins advised Resorts World New York City during its pursuit of a full casino license, which was awarded in December 2025, and represented industry clients in a major Albany fight over packaging policy.
Kaplan, Roberta
Roberta Kaplan’s casebook spans same-sex marriage, presidential litigation and congestion pricing. Kaplan argued a landmark same-sex marriage case before the U.S. Supreme Court and secured jury verdicts for E. Jean Carroll against President Donald Trump. After co-founding Kaplan Martin in 2024, she represented the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in defending congestion pricing against more than a dozen lawsuits and won a 2026 ruling against a federal attempt to terminate it. She also helped force the release of nearly $60 million for the Second Avenue subway extension withheld by the federal government.
Khan, Shakil
Shakil Khan has spent more than a decade managing the financial demands of government and nonprofit organizations, experience he brings to the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, an 80-year-old Bronx settlement house serving more than 50,000 people annually. Khan’s background covers auditing, grant compliance and accounting systems integration. At MMCC, he has strengthened financial infrastructure supporting early childhood, workforce development, adult literacy, older adult services and wellness programs. Khan also serves as a board treasurer and supports immigrant services through Shetu, a nonprofit serving the Bangladeshi American community.
Kim, Rebecca
Rebecca Kim has spent two decades helping cultural institutions, sports and entertainment brands and public affairs clients expand their audiences. Kim started at the American Ballet Theatre and later led communications and partnerships at Jazz at Lincoln Center, shaping sponsorship strategy and directing its social media, generating 4 million engagements. After a stint at SKDK, she led press at the Metropolitan Opera, overseeing Live in HD publicity across more than 10 countries. Since joining The TASC Group in October 2025, Kim has helped steer strategy and growth while overseeing eight client accounts and mentoring a 16-person team.
Lebenstein, David
David Lebenstein has spent his career helping nonprofits fulfill their real estate needs, closing more than 1,000 transactions over four decades. Recent deals include Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s headquarters sale, Metropolitan College of New York’s Lower Manhattan campus sale, multiple sales for Madison Square Boys & Girls Club and Services for the UnderServed, and major relocations or expansions for God’s Love We Deliver and The Fortune Society. Early in his career, Lebenstein co-founded Interface, a public policy group focused on New York City urban issues.
Mallin, Tracey
When Tracey Mallin joined the Real Estate Board of New York in 2014, much of its financial operation still relied on paper. Mallin has since helped modernize accounting across REBNY and eight related entities, overseeing tax filings, audits, budgeting, payroll and financial reporting while guiding successive technology upgrades. Most recently, she worked to integrate a new accounting system with REBNY’s latest Salesforce platform. Mallin has also helped bring greater discipline to budgeting and planning, giving the organization stronger financial information for decision-making.
Meara, Tommy
Since launching Moxie Strategies’ New York office and building its team from scratch, Tommy Meara has spearheaded crisis, reputation and advocacy efforts for a range of clients. He established a communications strategy for a public hospital system in crisis and helped pass Suffolk County’s clean water funding measure. Meara advises clients on reputational, fast-moving communications problems and legislative campaigns across industries. Previously at Kivvit, he led a 2017 campaign against a New York state constitutional convention and the 2018 Mass Bail Out at Rikers Island, which secured pretrial release for people who could not afford bail.
Mitev, Vesselin “Vess”
Vesselin “Vess” Mitev handles complex civil disputes alongside matrimonial, family, criminal and personal injury work on Long Island’s North Shore. He once challenged Suffolk County’s vehicle forfeiture practices in a federal civil case that set precedent. More recently, Mitev secured a $6.7 million jury verdict in a noncompete contract dispute, described as the largest of its kind in New York's history. He also represented a former Wantagh Fire Department medic who alleged two former department leaders sexually assaulted her after a firehouse gathering, in a case that survived dismissal efforts before reaching a settlement this summer.
Moriarty, Timothy
Timothy Moriarty advises on acquisitions, sales and leasing across a range of commercial real estate assets nationwide. After joining Phillips Lytle’s Buffalo office in 2018, Moriarty became partner in 2024 and now co-leads the law firm’s Real Estate Industry Team. He also serves on the firm’s expanded Data Centers Practice Team, which advises operators, developers and investors on digital infrastructure projects nationwide. Moriarty recently led the seller-side legal team on a complex 120-site telecommunications tower portfolio valued above $100 million, completing the transaction within 45 days.
Oates-Primus, Debonair
Debonair Oates-Primus arrived at the Javits Center in February with nearly two decades of workplace culture experience – and put it to work immediately. She has since launched Javits Academy and the Javits Emerging Leaders Program, drawing more than 6,000 applicants and moving one participant into a full-time role. She formalized hiring, complaint and promotion processes, and recognized longtime employees during Javits’ 40th anniversary. Earlier, at the sports and live entertainment company Oak View Group, Oates-Primus oversaw employee engagement and diversity, equity and inclusion strategy for over 70,000 workers across 400-plus venues.
Oberfield, Gabriel
Gabriel Oberfield advises healthcare and human services leaders on regulatory compliance, Medicaid and Medicare issues, HIPAA, cybersecurity and health data privacy, with a background that includes roles at New York City’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations and Department for the Aging. Oberfield recently led efforts to secure multimillion-dollar funding that helped a nonprofit reconfigure nursing home capacity into supportive housing. He also co-leads the New York City Bar Association’s Health Law Committee, helps organize the New York State Bar Association’s health law summit and serves as state-appointed co-chair of the New York Healthcare Cyber Alliance.
Pazmino, Andres
Andres Pazmino has spent more than a decade working across government relations, technology and organizational strategy. After moving from lobbying and public affairs into technology consulting, Pazmino founded The Affila Group in 2020 and Affila Technology in 2023. He now advises businesses and nonprofits on artificial intelligence adoption and cybersecurity. This year, the firm partnered with the Manhattan and Brooklyn chambers of commerce and Google to bring AI education and implementation support to roughly 200 businesses. Pazmino also supports nonprofit AI adoption through the Fund for the City of New York.
Pearson, David
Since joining ExtensisHR in 2013, David Pearson has advanced through senior leadership roles before becoming the company’s chief human resources officer last year. He has developed leadership training programs, career pathways, hiring and retention strategies, and also launched the You, Supported initiative, which expanded benefits, flexibility and employee support through partnerships with health, wellness, financial and lifestyle providers. More recently, Pearson joined a program for HR leaders building artificial intelligence tools for workplace problems, creating an agent that flags résumé language copied from job postings.
Pedoeem, Michael
Michael Pedoeem has scaled Evant into a platform serving more than 300,000 users, using text messaging to make community engagement and event participation more measurable. More than 100 million messages have been sent nationwide, with fundraising gains of up to 50% reported by some organizations. For example, Chabad at Binghamton has logged more than 93,000 event sign-ups across 1,100-plus events, while University of California, Berkeley Hillel has used Evant for 171 events, integrating the data with Salesforce. Pedoeem previously co-founded SendUsReviews, an SMS survey platform helping businesses improve customer satisfaction and generate Google reviews.
Perez, Valerie
Valerie Perez has helped build Encore Community Services’ human resources operations almost from the ground up, joining in 2019 as its first dedicated HR staff member and advancing into senior leadership. Perez now supports more than 100 employees, modernizing policies and systems while strengthening employee relations, professional development and workplace culture. A member of the executive team and secretary to the board, she also advises on growth and workforce strategy. Perez has more than 25 years of nonprofit experience, including 16 years at the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center in development, finance and human resources.
Peskay, Joshua
Joshua Peskay has helped nonprofits make technology work for their missions, guiding more than 1,000 organizations along the way. Peskay co-founded Meet the Moment in 2025 after 12 years at RoundTable Technology, launching the firm through a strategic partnership with his former employer. He serves as a virtual security executive for nonprofits and develops artificial intelligence governance, vendor review and incident-response programs. His approach emphasizes managing AI already in use. This fall, Meet the Moment launched “Building Your AI Department,” a cohort program focused on sustainable AI capacity.
Powers, Stephen
Stephen Powers co-founded OPEN Impact Real Estate in 2021 after advising mission-driven organizations and leading Transwestern’s national nonprofit practice. Powers has completed more than 10 million square feet of transactions and helped build his firm into New York City’s largest nonprofit real estate practice. OPEN Impact Real Estate formed a strategic alliance with JLL in 2024 as its exclusive woman-owned business enterprise partner in the tristate region. A Nonprofit New York board member, Powers recently worked on a 34,300-square-foot headquarters deal for the Center for Justice Innovation and Coney Island Prep’s 45,190-square-foot high school.
Riccardi, Richard
Since construction finance specialist Richard Riccardi joined Iovino Enterprises in 2019, he has climbed the corporate ladder from controller to chief financial officer. Riccardi oversees accounting and financial reporting across a family of companies generating about $800 million in combined revenue. He helped modernize financial operations, including moving payroll for more than 30 union affiliations from manual, disconnected processes onto one system. In 2025, Riccardi managed the financial transaction and internal work behind Iovino’s transfer to employee ownership.
Rojas, Priscilla
Priscilla Rojas first worked at the Center for Urban Community Services as a college temp in 2008, returning full time in 2012 and advancing from human resources assistant to HR director while helping support more than 750 employees across two affiliated nonprofits. Rojas leads HR and payroll with a six-person team, overseeing recruitment, benefits, compliance, employee relations and workforce planning. She has modernized policies and HR technology, redesigned benefits and introduced the organization's first formal job description analysis process while strengthening leadership accountability. She previously led human resources for Montefiore’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health.
Rosado, Giamara
In her time at the human services nonprofit Acacia Network, Giamara Rosado has risen through the legal ranks from intern to chief strategy officer and special counsel. She now serves as the president’s primary strategic partner, handling sensitive legal matters, government relations and investigations at one of the nation’s largest Latino-led nonprofits, with more than 100 affiliates serving 150,000 people annually. She helped triple the legal department’s size, mentors colleagues pursuing advancement and brings broad legal and management expertise to the table. Rosado serves on the Bronx Women’s Bar Association's board.
Ruehle, Laura
Laura Ruehle helps keep one of New York state government’s larger financial operations on track, overseeing $1.7 billion annually across multiple funding streams. After multiple promotions within the state Office of General Services, Ruehle now leads more than 25 budget and accounting professionals. Her work includes shaping the governor’s executive budget, working with the Division of the Budget and advising state agencies on major fiscal matters. Ruehle is also guiding to completion eight Federal Emergency Management Agency public assistance projects totaling $98 million.
Russo, Dorothea
Dorothea Russo specializes in healthcare accounting, auditing and reimbursement, with particular expertise in nursing homes. Russo advises providers across New York on Medicaid and Medicare rules, cost reporting, rate appeals and cost certifications, while also handling budgeting, forecasting and internal controls. A member of the New York State Health Facilities Association’s Payment for Services Committee, she also helps providers navigate expanding wage parity requirements, including independent certified public accountant requirements in 2026 and the shift to contract-level compliance support beginning in 2027.
Sachwald, Benjamin
Benjamin Sachwald makes sure sound is a central part of how spaces are designed, leading on acoustics, noise and vibration at AKRF. He uses modeling, simulation and auralization to predict and demonstrate sound in commercial, residential and institutional settings. Sachwald helped develop AKRF’s PinDrop suite, a space where silence is the baseline and clients can hear how subway, traffic and construction noise may affect a space. His expertise has been featured by major publications, and he presents a course on sound attenuation and high-performance windows for architects.
Sampson, Jim
Jim Sampson and his team help employers strengthen their retirement programs while giving employees tools to make better use of them. As the practice’s team and client base expanded, Sampson brought it into the Retirement Plan Advisory Group, a platform to standardize how information is shared, coordinate workflows and deliver a consistent service model across the organization. He has spoken at the NAPA 401(k) Summit, the Retirement Advisor Council and Institutional Investor’s Retirement Leaders Roundtable. He co-authored “Save Like a Champion Today: A Winning Game Plan for Retirement.”
Scerbo, Tom
Tom Scerbo oversees growth and operations across a range of infrastructure and advisory work at WSP. Since joining the professional services firm in January, Scerbo has focused on strengthening senior-level client relationships, connecting teams across the region and supporting major assignments, including the second phase of New York City’s Second Avenue subway. His 25-plus years in the industry include senior leadership roles at HNTB and AECOM, with experience spanning aviation terminals, transit centers, waterfront resiliency and large public-private developments. He also led the Society of American Military Engineers NYC, which connects military, government and private sector engineering professionals.
Shapiro, Akiva
In April, Akiva Shapiro was chosen to lead Holtzman Vogel’s newly launched New York City office, joining the law firm after nearly two decades at Gibson Dunn. Shapiro recently won a ruling that voided state approval of the $2.25 billion transfer of Maimonides Medical Center to New York City’s hospital system and also helped Forest Hills Stadium continue hosting concerts despite legal challenges. His litigation record includes U.S. Supreme Court emergency injunctions involving New York’s COVID-19 eviction moratorium and pandemic restrictions on attendance at houses of worship.
Sheng, Jeffery
Jeffery Sheng kicked off 2026 with a promotion to partner at Harris Beach Murtha, where he handles complex civil litigation and advises on risk management. The attorney represents clients in catastrophic loss, construction, premises liability as well as environmental and insurance coverage matters. Sheng’s recent cases include defending private companies in a federal environmental cleanup case over alleged PFAS contamination, resisting contractual indemnification claims against a contractor in a New York labor law case and securing a pre-discovery dismissal for a major New York property owner.
Simon, Brian W.
Brian W. Simon founded Hollis Public Affairs in 2021, a growing firm advising clients across healthcare, tourism, technology and nonprofits. Under his leadership, the firm has helped expand New York’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act statewide and modernize notarization rules for out-of-state transactions, while expanding into strategic communications, including branding, reputation management and crisis communications. Previously, Simon led government and community relations at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and held senior staff roles with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Greg Meeks.
Walker-Miller, Tunisha
Tunisha Walker-Miller has spent more than two decades helping businesses, nonprofits and public sector organizations navigate minority- and women-owned business enterprise certification, procurement and government affairs. She founded and leads the Association of Black Lobbyists and Consultants and was the first Black woman to serve as executive director of the state Senate Conference of Black Senators. Recently, she advised more than 50 companies on MWBE certifications, recertifications and appeals while lobbying on pending legislation, including the Family Miranda Rights Act and a New York City bill protecting municipal retirees’ health coverage.
Warren, Jodi
Jodi Warren helps nonprofits, religious organizations and educational institutions navigate complex real estate decisions in support of their missions. At the law firm Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld, Warren negotiates transactions, secures required state approvals and develops creative real estate structures to capture tax incentives and reduce costs. She also advises boards on governance and compliance. In 2026, she spoke at Nonprofit BoardCon and Nonprofit OpCon on property planning, financial oversight and changing workplace needs. She serves on the New York City Bar Association’s Non-Profit Organizations Committee and Nonprofit New York’s Government Relations Council.
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