N NICOLE GILL VICE PRESIDENT, SKDKNICKERBOCKER AGE: 28
RISING STARS
icole Gill held her first political protest when she was 10 years old. A Torontonian, Gill was adamantly opposed to the 1995 Quebec secession referendum, so she made her own sign—of a flag, half Canadian Maple Leaf and half fleur-de-lis—and stood on her street, waving it on the day of the vote. Her efforts paid off; the referendum failed. After being active in student government at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Gill moved to New York to attend graduate school. While completing her master’s in public administration at NYU’s Wagner School, she got a job as a teaching assistant for Bob Shrum, the renowned Democratic
political consultant. Soon she found herself aiding Shrum as he advised British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in his unsuccessful re-election bid against David Cameron. Eager to get Gill her start in political consulting, Shrum recommended her without her knowledge for an opening at SKDKnickerbocker in 2010, and she got the gig. She has worked there ever since. As the firm has grown, Gill has grown with it, rising up the ranks to become one of its vice presidents. While she has played a role in electing Eric Schneiderman New York’s attorney general and Dannel Malloy governor of Connecticut, she is most proud of her work advancing marriage equality. “I’ve been lucky enough to work on all of the marriage campaigns that we’ve done, and that will always be my favorite
work that I’ve gotten to do so far,” said Gill. If you were not working in politics or government, what would you be doing? “Something that’s active, that’s physical—I miss being able to be outside a lot. I would probably move to the Caribbean and work on a boat, sailing or something.” What is your favorite place in New York City? “Central Park. I live two blocks from it. I’ve run the marathon before, so it holds a special place for me for that reason. … It’s like my backyard that I share with a city, but it still feels like my personal place.” —MP
Journal ad 2013_CityState 10/1/13 3:46 PM Page 1
The City University of New York congratulates University Student Senate Chairperson and Trustee
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CHAIRPERSON, BOARD OF TRUSTEES
1-800-CUNY-YES
WILLIAM P. KELLY INTERIM CHANCELLOR
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cityandstateny.com | OCTOBER 7, 2013
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