R I S I N G S TA R S
BRIAN FALLON CLIENT MANAGER FOR NEW YORK CITY GOVERNMENT, IBM
AGE: 34
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ew York City’s government has increasingly looked to technology for ways to improve its operations, but how exactly it can take advantage of the latest innovations invariably presents challenges, along with opportunities. That’s where Brian Fallon comes in. “My role is really to integrate the IBM team that is dedicated to the City of New York around the mayoral initiatives, and ensure that we’re connecting those important business priorities that affect the community with the innovative technology solutions that IBM can deliver,” says Fallon, who has worked at the Armonk, N.Y.-based company for more than a decade. One of the city’s specific initiatives on which Fallon has worked was the creation of Digital.NYC, an online hub aimed at spurring even greater innovation in New York’s thriving tech sector. He has also focused heavily on the city’s health and human services domain, where IBM is using its advanced analytics to evaluate the city’s vast amount of data “in a responsible and secure manner” in an effort to improve patient outcomes. Though Fallon, a graduate of Quinnipiac University, has spent his entire career at IBM, he has a strong inclination toward public service, a penchant that has served him well as a liaison to the city. Starting next year, Fallon is expanding the volunteer work that he does at P-TECH— the pioneering Brooklyn high school with which IBM has partnered to prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering and math—by becoming a student mentor. Fallon explains, “I think it’s helpful for these folks who are relatively young to see how their studies translate after they graduate, so that’s the role I hope to play in this particular individual’s life.” If you were not working in politics or government, what would you be doing? “Going back to school for my law degree.”
Not counting New York City, what is your favorite city in the world, and why? “Saratoga Springs. I’ve had an opportunity both to get up there for work and for pleasure, and I just think it’s a great tight-knit community with a fantastic downtown area and great recreation.” —MP
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KAMIAN ALLEN SENIOR DIRECTOR, THE TASC GROUP
AGE: 36
city & state — October 13, 2014
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amian Allen is what one might call a public relations activist. She combines her natural affinity for advocacy work and politics with a keen understanding of crisis management and the media environment. But it was a brief taste of Hollywood glamour that set her down her eventual career path. As a 12-year old, Allen auditioned on a lark for a part in the J.J. Abrams film Regarding Henry, starring Harrison Ford and Annette Bening, and won the role of their daughter. However, Allen said she was far more interested in what went on behind the scenes then during the actual filming of the movie, and became fascinated by the international and domestic publicity junket for the movie. “For me that sparked a lot of love for the media and how it works, and how people communicate with each other, and how people talk about themselves, and how people reach out to the audiences that they’re trying to reach,” Allen said. Now in a leadership role with the TASC Group, Allen melds her entertainment background with her passion for communications. Not only is she the go-to person in a crisis, but Allen also manages red carpet events and fundraisers, all the while building a network of relationships within her diverse clientele. “One of the great things about this job is we do a lot of different kinds of work,” Allen said. “We work in poverty and homelessness, we deal with crises, we deal with genomic science, healthcare and medicine, and domestic violence issues. So a typical day for me is a wonderful thing in that I get to talk about all of those things. My brain never really gets bored.” If you were not working in politics or government, what would you be doing? “I wanted to be a Navy SEAL, but I’m a 5’ 3” 105-pound woman, and it wasn’t in the cards. At least that’s what I was told when I tried to apply my freshman year of college.” Not counting New York City, what is your favorite city in the world, and why? “I love Berlin. It’s this incredible hodgepodge of a city; it’s a really creative, vibrant, smart city.” —NP cit yandstateny.com