Introducing the Fifth Cohort of the Kriegel Fellowship for Public Service Leaders
By Alisa Orlowsky, Communications Associate
The fifth cohort of the Kriegel Fellowship welcomes 21 chiefs of staff from across all five boroughs and the Hudson Valley. For the next few months, they will engage in discussions with policy experts, network, and build the skills to support them in their current roles and their future journeys in public service.
Whether they’re drafting legislation, tackling policy issues, or out listening to their communities, the chiefs of staff of elected officials play a vital role in New York City and State.
In support of their growth, CUNY ISLG is thrilled to announce that 21 chiefs of staff and legislative leaders have been selected to participate in the fifth cohort of the Kriegel Fellowship for Public Service Leaders. Over the course of 5 months, the Fellows will meet bi-weekly to establish community with peer-leaders and engage in professional development opportunities that are tailored to the unique experiences of chiefs of staff.
Since its launch in 2020, the Fellowship has worked with chiefs of staff in the New York City Council, State Assembly, and State Senate to grow the policy and operational skills to succeed in their current role and in their future journeys in public service. As with many public sector resources, the chance to join a dedicated network of peers in public service and engage in professional development opportunities is often limited. Informed by and led under the breadth of CUNY ISLG’s internal staff experience across policy issues and range of public service careers, the Fellowship arose out of the desire to fill this gap in professional development opportunities specifically for chiefs of staff and similarly related roles. The focus of this fellowship was inspired by the success of CUNY ISLG’s Lindsay Fellowship in Government Leadership and Practice for newly elected New York City and State legislators, which began in 2017.
“It’s inspiring to witness the dedication this cohort has to making NYC a better place for their constituents—a great reminder of the significant value of the contributions of chiefs of staff.
We’re eager to facilitate a community for these public service leaders and give them a distinctive opportunity to connect with one another, have meaningful discussions, and feel supported in their roles—now and beyond the Fellowship.”
-Siobhán Carney, Policy Director at CUNY ISLG.
New this year to the Fellowship is the creation of a chief of staff Advisory Group, a collection of Kriegel alumni and other chiefs of staff to provide guidance on selecting speakers, policy topics, and other elements of the program. With their oversight, current Fellows gain access to their expertise, network, and the most up-to-date information on policy topics relevant to chiefs of staff.
Kriegel Fellows are selected based on their application and interview with CUNY ISLG staff. Once selected, the Fellows engage in informative, open-dialogue sessions with policy experts on the pressing issues facing New York like budgeting, housing, criminal legal reform, and more.
“It’s inspiring to witness the dedication this cohort has to making NYC a better place for their constituents—a great reminder of the significant value of the contributions of chiefs of staff. We’re eager to facilitate a community for these public service leaders and give them a distinctive opportunity to connect with one another, have meaningful discussions, and feel supported in their roles—now and beyond the Fellowship,” said Siobhán Carney, Policy Director at CUNY ISLG.
This cohort reflects a wealth and breadth of experience, with Fellows serving various legislative and executive roles in government in addition to other unique career experiences.
The 2024 Kriegel Fellows are:
Alexander Fraser, Chief of Staff, AM Grace Lee
Alex Liao, Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff, CM Shahana Hanif
Benjamin Wolcott, Chief of Staff, AM Sarahana Shrestha
Brandon Jordan, Deputy Chief of Staff, CM Julie Menin
Celia Castellan, Chief of Staff, CM Tiffany Cabán
Chanel Martinez, Chief of Staff, CM Shekar Krishnan
Daniel Abramson, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs & Appointments, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso
David Sperry, Chief of Staff, AM David Weprin
Dayana Pichardo, Chief of Staff, AM Manny De Los Santos
Felix Garcia, Chief of Staff, AM Landon Dais
Fitim Shabani, Chief of Staff, AM Charles D. Fall
Ian Yanda, Chief of Staff, AM Michael Tannousis
Jack Shaevitz, Chief of Staff, AM Yudelka Tapia
Jahad Hoyte, Legislative Director, Senator Kristen Gonzalez
Katherine Demby, Chief of Staff, Senator Kristen Gonzalez
Mariana Melina Grisales, Deputy Chief of Staff, AM Jessica González-Rojas
Molly Haley, Chief of Staff, CM Lincoln Restler
Samuel Vasquez Martinez, Chief of Staff, Senator Hoylman-Sigal
Samori Touré, Chief of Staff, CM Sandy Nurse
Taiquan L. Coleman, Chief of Staff, AM George Alvarez
Whitney Brimat, Chief of Staff, AM Amanda Septimo
ABOUT THE KRIEGEL FELLOWSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERS
The Kriegel Fellowship for Public Service Leaders is a leadership and professional development program, designed for chiefs of staff of city and state legislators serving the New York City area. Since the Fellowship launched in 2020, its membership has expanded to include legislative staffers with role-adjacent positions to chiefs of staff, such as deputy chiefs of staff, district directors, and budget directors. Now, the Fellowship aims to support these leaders to excel in their current positions, network with other chiefs of staff and experts, and grow confidently into the next generation of elected officials and public service leaders.
The Kriegel Fellowship honors the legacy of Jay L. Kriegel, who served as chief of staff to New York City’s Mayor John Lindsay and was dedicated to mentoring chiefs of staff, legislators, and other public service leaders. The program was developed based on research and interviews with New York City and State legislators and chiefs of staff to understand the demands of the chief of staff position and corresponding needs for leadership development, learning community, and other support. The program builds on CUNY ISLG's experience running the Lindsay Fellowship in Government Leadership and Practice for city and state legislators.