I got to where I am today by being personable and willing to take risks. Everyday I try to challenge myself and put myself in “uncomfortable” situations to learn and grow from that experience. This has allowed me to build great partnerships/mentorships, learn from others, and grow in my personal and professional life.

What I am most proud of is the ability to work on projects and policies in New York City that are going to have a positive impact on the economic development and everyday life of the average New Yorker.

Two pieces of advice I would give to someone trying to make it in government is to make connections and learn from your mistakes. First, making connections in government opens doors and opens you up to diverse opinions. Second, we all make mistakes – picking yourself up and learning from that shows resilience and flexibility.

I’ve always considered myself a “true” New Yorker because I was raised in this great City. The title didn’t become truly important to me until the pandemic in 2020 when a lot of folks left the City. I did not leave because it was New York or nowhere, and I was determined to help it build back better.

11 years ago, while in high school, I started as a CO-OP intern at the New York City Council working for the Human Resources division. Since then, I have served in various operational and senior leadership positions across city agencies, working formerly with the Speaker of the New York City Council, Comptroller, Public Advocate and First Deputy Mayor. I got to where I am today through a combination of education, hands on experience at City Hall and fostering connections throughout my tenure. Operations, human resources, and Administration teams really serve as the backbone to any agency, and I found that I thrive in spaces where I am helping and supporting others. 

My commitment to the success of city employees! I love making sure that my team has what they need day in and day out to be the best they can for our communities. No day is ever really the same with this type of work. I am proud of the fact that I can do this work and still make sure that I am doing it with employees’ best interest in mind. This is what keeps me going.

Make connections, network, and remember that even if its not your job, if you have a passion for being supportive of others you will thrive in this type of work. I treat everyone regardless of title and experience the same. Interpersonal connections mean everything!

As someone who was born and raised in Staten Island (the forgotten borough) I have always felt a little left out. However, I truly knew that I was a New Yorker when I came back to government. In my previous positions I served as a Chief of Staff in tech and the private sectors but it’s a different feeling knowing that even though the work I am doing is so behind the scenes, I get to help community, I get to be apart of larger change and it excites me to experience that.