New York's Best in Government Affairs: Selected by Their Peers
New York's top lobbyists, legislative staff, association leaders, policy strategists, communicators, rising stars, and longtime legends will be celebrated at an Albany ceremony this September.
ALBANY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2026 / Great work in government affairs usually happens behind the scenes. Not this time. Capitol Confidential Pro, powered by USLege and supported by Times Union, today announced the 46 winners of the 2026 Best in Government Affairs Awards for New York - standout professionals shaping policy across the Empire State, honored across seven categories and selected entirely by their peers.
The inaugural New York program is peer-nominated and reviewed by an advisory board of respected New York leaders. Nominations were submitted by peers across the state - colleagues, clients, and counterparts who see this work up close - and the strongest nominations pointed to specific impact: bills moved, coalitions built, crises navigated, and careers that have shaped how New York works. From veterans whose names are synonymous with Albany excellence to early-career operators already three steps ahead, the honorees reflect the full spectrum of government affairs talent in New York.
The recognition landed with the honorees. "I am so excited and honored to be a part of USLege's inaugural class for these awards," said one 2026 winner. "I'm thrilled about this, and knowing it came from peers means a lot," said another.
Winners were selected following an open, no-cost nomination period and review by the 2026 New York advisory board: Kenneth Zebrowski ( Brown & Weinraub), Lisa Hofflich ( Bolton-St. Johns), David Carlucci ( Carlucci Consulting), and observed by Brendan Lyons ( Times Union). There was no cost to nominate or to be featured - this is peer recognition, not pay-to-play.
The 2026 honorees will be celebrated in person at Lark Hall in Albany this September, where each winner will be recognized on stage among peers, colleagues, and New York's government affairs community. In keeping with the spirit of public service the awards honor, the evening will also give back: Capitol Confidential Pro, Powered by USLege, will match guest donations to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, turning the celebration into direct support for New Yorkers facing hunger.
The 2026 Best in Government Affairs - New York Honorees
Association Advocates of the Year
Therese Daly, United Way of New York State
Catherine Chen, Asian American Federation of New York
Kei Williams, New Pride Agenda
Matt Nelligan, New Yorkers for Affordable Energy
Jessica Klos Shapiro, Early Care and Learning Council
Ashley Stuart, New York Health Plan Association
Caroline Bobick, NYS School Boards Association
Longtime Legends in Government Affairs
Perry Ochacher, Willett Public Affairs
Bill Ferris, AARP New York
Rick Ostroff, Ostroff Associates
Christine Rutigliano, Roffe Group
Robert Megna, Rockefeller Institute of Government
Patricia Reilly, Patricia Reilly Consulting
Ross Frommer, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Policy Intelligence Leaders of the Year
Katie Hohman, Plummer, Wigger & Hohman
Cheryl Kraus, Farrell Fritz
Emily Whalen, Brown & Weinraub
Joshua Oppenheimer, Greenberg Traurig
Karin Spencer, Spencer Strategic Solutions
Jay Holland, Statewide Public Affairs
Evan Sullivan, Ostroff Associates
Powerhouse Lobbyists of the Year
Carol Ann Lemon, Malkin & Ross
Diana Ostroff, Ostroff Associates
Jessica Schafroth, Malkin & Ross
Jack O'Donnell, O'Donnell & Associates
Evan Stavisky, The Parkside Group
Alyssa Lovelace, Hill, Gosdeck, McGraw & Nemeth
Vincent Rossetti, Rossetti Government Relations
Rising Stars of the Year
Caiti Anderson, Harter Secrest & Emery
Laura Manley Ladopoulos, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Jerry Hyppolite, Housing Solutions of NY
Hunter Petro, Carlucci Consulting
Sam Hartstein, Kol Yisroel
Jasmine Wali, Elevating Action for Family Justice Fund
Strategic Communicators of the Year
Adam Morey, J Strategies
Nick Berkowitz, Open New York
Joe Bonilla, Relentless Awareness
Geoff Redick, Freelance
Jaden Jules, DoorDash
Top Staffers of the Year
Alana Sivin, New York State Assembly Speaker's Office
Godfre Bayalama, NYS Department of Financial Services
Evan Schneider, Office of Senator Jamaal Bailey
Mark Kissinger, Office of Assemblymember Amy Paulin
Mary-Anne Dandles, New York State Assembly
Darci Lindgren, Office of Assemblymember Charles Lavine
Shalyn Ranellone, Office of Assemblymember John T. McDonald III
About USLege
USLege is an AI-powered legislative tracking platform transforming how government affairs professionals track, analyze, and act on policy at the local, state, and federal levels across the U.S. Built for the fragmented and fast-moving world of government relations, USLege unifies legislative CRM, live government video, and real-time bill tracking, powered by a customizable AI agent that delivers instant alerts, stakeholder-specific insights, and tailored content that matters.
About Capitol Confidential Pro
Capitol Confidential Pro is New York's dedicated legislative intelligence service, powered by USLege's AI-native platform and produced in partnership with the Times Union. Built for government affairs and policy professionals, it delivers faster, clearer visibility into the New York State Legislature - the bills, committees, hearings, and decisions shaping state policy - so the people who move New York can stay ahead of what matters.
About Best in Government Affairs Awards
The Best in Government Affairs Awards are a peer-nominated, peer-reviewed recognition program celebrating the professionals who shape state policy. Winners are put forward by their peers and selected through review by an advisory board of respected New York leaders. The program is free at every step - no cost to nominate, no cost to be featured, and no advertising or sponsorship dollars involved. It is peer recognition, not pay-to-play.
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SOURCE: USLege via EZ Newswire