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Staff

Office of the Public Advocate staff photo on the steps of 1 Centre St. Plaza, outside of the Dinkins building. The Public Advocate stands in the center of the front row, with 4 rows of staff members around him.

Executive Leadership

Rance Huff

Chief of Staff

Administration

Elizabeth Guzmán, Esq

General Counsel

General Counsel

Administration

Chief of Staff

Rance Huff

After an award-winning career in journalism, Rance Huff has spent 20 years in government, the last 10 as Chief of Staff to Public Advocate Williams.

Deputy Chief of Staff

Josenia Dominguez

she/her/ella

Josenia Dominguez has worked in City government for nearly a decade. She manages the Public Advocate's Office Administration and Human Resources Departments. Josenia's passions include advocating for human rights and children's educational needs.

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EEO Officer

Wesley Brown

he/him

Wesley has an extensive career in government service with an emphasis on EEO/DEI initiatives.  Wesley contributions include strong customer service experience, superb leadership skills, and excellent interpersonal skills that enhance the working environment at the Public Advocate’s office.

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Facilities Management Coordinator

Beatriz Prado

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Administrative Assistant

Eynique Waterman

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Office Manager

Fabienne Muntu

Administration Assistant

Renee Sterlin

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HR Generalist and Disability Rights Coordinator

Tameerah Hodges

Communications

Senior Advisor for Communications

William Gerlich

Director of Communications

Kevin Fagan

he/him/his

Kevin has worked with the Public Advocate since 2017, beginning in the City Council. He believes service is doing all the good you can, where you are.

Deputy Digital Media Director

Mirielle Clifford

she/her/hers

Mirielle Clifford believes in the power of digital communications for good. She is passionate about decarceration, labor rights, and disability justice.

Black woman with curly hair

Press Officer

Brittney Grimes

she/her/hers

Brittney believes in standing up for what's right and helping others. She is passionate about justice and community service. She has received the National Organization for Women Award and the National Council of Negro Women Achievement Award for her writing. She is a graduate of Hofstra University.

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Visual Media Associate

Caroll Campos

A brown woman with glasses looking directly at the camera.

Digital Marketing Specialist

Luiza Teixeira-Vesey

Community Affairs

Chief Deputy Public Advocate, Community Affairs

Julissa Gonzalez

she/her/ella

A mother of two, Julissa has a passion for the arts, and all things that bring joy. She has dedicated the last 11 years to working in City government.

In front of red public art sculpture by artist Tony Rosenthal, titled "5 in 1."

Manhattan Borough Advocate

Curtis Young

Headshot of Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, an indigenous woman, brown skin, with long dark hair, and red glasses. Mendieta-Cuapio looks directly at the camera in the warm sunlight.

Civic and Community Empowerment Coordinator

Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio

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Bronx Borough Advocate

Gina Williams

Headshot of Norris Johns. A black man with a low haircut and beard wearing a blue suit and tie stands in front of a red background, looking at the camera.

Queens Borough Advocate

Norris Johns

Headshot of Simon Sebag The Jewish Community Liaison for The Public Advocate. Arms crossed smiling directly at the camera.

Jewish Community Liaison

Simon Sebag

Black male, with a medium stocky build smiling as he folds his arms wearing a navy blue cuban shirt.

Staten Island Borough Advocate

Travis Carter

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Interfaith Liaison

Rev. Dr. Sanayi Canton

Community Engagement

Deputy Public Advocate for Housing Equity

Edgardo "Solomon" Acevedo

he/him

Solomon Acevedo is a lifelong activist committed to pursuing justice, health and safety for all.

Deputy Public Advocate for Education & Opportunity

Elizabeth Kennedy

she/her/ella

To ensure our collective work carries us forward with dignity and equity, we must be rooted in community, accountability, and love that constantly asks us all to give our best together and centers our wellbeing.

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Deputy Public Advocate for Justice & Safety

Jeffrey Severe

he/him/his

Justice looks like an opportunity for healing, while safety is freedom from harm.

Deputy Public Advocate for Infrastructure & Environmental Justice

Kashif Hussain

he/him/his

Kashif Hussain is an experienced infrastructure and environmental engineer who is passionate about equitable transportation and clean energy technology.

Headshot of Danna Lennon-Thomas, a black woman with long dark hair. Danna smiles directly at the camera.

Community Organizer, Education & Opportunity

Danna Lennon-Thomas

Headshot of David Kahn, a white male with short brown hair, a beard, black-framed glasses, and a red button-down shirt. David smiles directly at the camera.

Community Organizer, Infrastructure & Environmental Justice

David Kahn

Headshot of Kim Watson-Benjamin, A Black Caribbean woman with Blonde braided hair. Kim is smiling.

LGBTQ & Health Coordinator

Kim Watson-Benjamin

Headshot of Lupe Hernandez, an indigenous Venezuelan woman with long wavy brown hair and black glasses. Lupe is wearing a black dress and blazer while smiling directly at the camera.

Community Organizer, Education & Opportunity

Lupe Hernandez

Community Organizer, Housing and Health Equity

Ysabel Abreu

Constituent Services

Director of Constituent Services

Beverly Gooding

she/her/hers

Beverly Gooding is a proud, native New Yorker dedicated to making sure all of NYC's communities have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive.

Deputy Director of Constituent Services

Melissa Dandin

she/her/hers

Melissa is a caring advocate and has a background in Social Work. She is devoted to serving constituents in NYC, addressing numerous issues they have.

General Counsel

General Counsel

Elizabeth Guzmán, Esq

Deputy General Counsel

Matthew Carlin

Matt is an attorney with over 20 years of experience. At the New York City Council, he worked on complex legislation like the Paid Safe & Sick Leave Law.

Policy and Legislation

Headshot of Veronica Aveis, a white woman with green eyes and shoulder length curly brown hair wearing a floral print top, black blazer, and teal tortoise shell glasses. Aveis smiles directly at the camera.

Chief Deputy Public Advocate for Policy

Veronica Aveis

she/her/hers

Veronica Aveis is Chief Deputy Public Advocate for Policy. She previously worked as Chief of Staff to Senator Roxanne Persaud, and Political Director for Planned Parenthood in NY.

Headshot of Rosie Mendez, a light-skinned Latina with brown hair, eyes, and glasses. Mendez is smiling directly at the camera with her hands clasped together in front of her.

Director of Legislation and Policy

Rosie Mendez

Headshot of Ana, an Asian woman with long brown hair and a white top smiling directly at the camera.

Senior Policy & Budget Associate

Ana Luo-Cai

Headshot of Cerimar Olivares, a light-skinned Dominican-American woman with dark brown hair, brown eyes and black glasses. Turned slightly to the side, Cerimar smiles at the camera.

Leg & Policy Associate

Cerimar Olivares

Headshot of Gwen Saffran, a young white woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a navy blue top and black blazer. She stands against a red background with her hands on her hips and is smiling at the camera.

Senior Leg & Policy Associate

Gwendolyn Saffran

Headshot of Jessica Tang, an Asian woman with short red hair. Jessica smiles directly at the camera.

Senior Policy & Legislative Associate

Jessica Tang

Headshot of Raymond Sheares, a Black man with locks and beard. Ray stares glaringly into the camera.

Correspondence Associate

Raymond Sheares

Scheduling & Executive Operations

Director of Scheduling & Executive Operations

Isa Cortez

she/her/hers

Isa Cortez is an experienced director with over a decade history of working in the government administration, legislative relations and non-profit industry.

Deputy Director of Scheduling & Executive Operations

Angela Martinez

(she/her/hers)

Experienced Special Assistant/Scheduler with over 15 years in city government, providing efficient and effective scheduling services to ensure the smooth running of city operations.

Headshot of Adam Ullian, a white male with short gray hair and a beard. Ullian glances at the camera.

Advance & Scheduling Associate

Adam Ullian

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Scheduling Assistant

Asra Rashid

Headshot of Winston Brown, Jr. A Black man with a full beard, bald head. In a plaid red and blue shirt.

Scheduler & Advance Associate

Winston Brown Jr.

Jeff Senatus smiling with teeth outside with red background

Special Assistant

Jeff Senatus

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Scheduling/Advance Associate

Japneet Singh

Technology, Development, and Data

Director of Technology, Development & Data

JC Brillant

J.C. has 20+ years experience. He started his career in the Private Sector with companies like; 1-800-Flowers, Grey Advertising, Amazon, and Microsoft. As Director, he will help our Advocates to implement technology to help improve RESPECT & DIGNITY of all New Yorkers.

Deputy Director of Technology, Data & Development

Ketan Sinha

he/him/his

Ketan is a passionate advocate for using technology in service of people. He believes it should be used responsibly, ethically, and equitably.

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Systems Support Engineer

Jewel Tolliver

Our Office

David N. Dinkins Municipal Building
1 Centre Street 15th Floor North
New York, NY 10007

Email: gethelp@advocate.nyc.gov

Hotline: (212) 669-7250

*Our fax number has changed temporarily while we upgrade our infrastructure
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