40 CityAndStateNY.com
August 24, 2020
Teresa Gonzalez and Keyla Espinal Antigua know how to get results in City Hall and Albany.
90 JORGE PEREZ
Senior Associate The Parkside Grou p
Raul Russi is president and CEO of Acacia Network.
87 RAUL RUSSI
President and CEO Ac ac ia Network The president of Acacia Network, Raul Russi commands the largest Puerto Rican-founded organization in the country, serving 150,000 people yearly in a variety of areas, including education and housing, in New York. Russi was a member of the Buffalo Police Department, superintendent of the Erie County New York Correctional Facility, chair of the New York State Parole Board and CEO of the Division of Parole.
88 DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS Interim President Hostos Commu nity College
The first Dominican woman to lead Hostos Community College since its inception more than 50 years ago, Daisy Cocco de Filippis is carrying out the institution’s mission inspired by legendary 19th-century educator
Eugenio María de Hostos. After decades as part of the CUNY system, De Filippis was appointed to the interim post as the Bronx school introduced a culinary apprenticeship initiative.
Jorge Perez is building his career as something of a political brain trust, starting out at The Parkside Group by updating voter databases and programming digital maps to overlay with voter information. With more than 20 professional certifications in digital advertising, Perez has been promoted to senior associate, where he is taking part in crucial political campaigns for marquee clients like FreshDirect and AT&T.
89 TERESA GONZALEZ & KEYLA ESPINAL ANTIGUA Partner; Vice President of Government Affairs Bolton-St. Johns
This duo’s deep understanding of New York City government and its politics have made them indispensable assets to Bolton-St. Johns. Whether it’s leveraging their experience navigating the public review process on land use on behalf of their clients, or lobbying for earmarks to early childhood and education programs,
by Michael DenDekker. The former executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health has built a brand for progressive activism, taking part in a number of Black Lives Matter protests, advocating for canceling rent during the pandemic, and pressing forward with a so-called Green New Northern Deal. It’s safe to say, GonzálezRojas has plans.
92 MARCELA MITAYNES
Democratic Assembly Candidate 51st Assembly Distric t Marcela Mitaynes is among the bevy of Democratic Socialists enjoying a banner year unseating incumbents. In Mitaynes’ case, she defeated Assistant Assembly Speaker Félix Ortiz, a longtime Assembly member, in the June 23 primary by several hundred votes. Mitaynes is now poised to represent the Brooklyn district, bringing a grassroots perspective to Albany that could shake things up.
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JESSICA GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS
AMANDA SEPTIMO
Jessica González-Rojas won the June Democratic primary for the Queens 34th Assembly District seat held
Persistence paid off for Amanda Septimo, the official Democratic nominee for the 84th Assembly District, following a campaign flub by her rival, Assembly Member Carmen Arroyo. Septimo squared off against Arroyo in 2018, ultimately losing that race. But the district director for Rep. José E. Serrano won this year’s primary, virtually guaranteeing her a win in November – and the chance to bring her firsthand knowledge of the struggle for Bronxites to Albany.
Democratic Assembly Candidate 34 th Assembly Distric t
Mitaynes defeated Assistant Assembly Speaker Félix O rtiz by several hu ndred votes.
Democratic Assembly Candidate 8 4 th Assembly Distric t