The Parkside Group

Hot off the presses! Parkside's Founding Partner and CEO Harry Giannoulis was named in Politics NY and AM New York's 2024 Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying list. Congratulations Harry!

Today, Parkside's Managing Director Spencer Lee watched Trane Technologies's Artorius M. Reyes drop more knowledge on decarb strategy and the regulatory environment at Decarb Summit in a fifteen minute speech than should be humanly possible!

There are lots of awesome people on this year's City & State 40 Under 40 list, but none moreso than my colleague at The Parkside Group Katelyn O. https://lnkd.in/euTRqHas

Dan Katz, our Executive Vice President & General Counsel, is affectionately known as “the impossible man” at Parkside. A moniker earned by Dan’s remarkable ability to achieve what many deemed unattainable. Dan brings an impressive blend of deep state government expertise and strong Capitol connections to our team, ensuring that our clients receive top-notch support on key issues. His exceptional track record includes championing New York's groundbreaking sports betting law, securing the Wage Theft Prevention Act, and facilitating the recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars for the state Medicaid program. Dan has also been instrumental in expanding justice for victims of negligence, eliminating insurance policy surcharges, safeguarding New Yorkers' right to play fantasy sports, and helping clients secure over $150 million in state contracts. His contributions are pivotal in advancing our clients' legislative and regulatory goals. For Dan, success is a blend of meticulous preparation and exceptional communication skills. He delves into every aspect of an issue, thoroughly researching policies, creating detailed notes and spreadsheets, and engaging in mock debates with colleagues. His dedication extends to attending every possible meeting and being present for every lobby day during legislative sessions, often wearing out his shoes from the sheer number of visits. Dan's passion for connecting with people stands out. He modestly attributes his success to his love for engaging with others and understanding their perspectives. While working to pass New York’s sports betting law, Dan attended no fewer than 400 meetings, a number sure to make any introvert quiver with anxiety – but for Dan, it’s the best part of the job. Before joining our firm, Dan honed his legal, legislative, and political skills over a decade in various impactful roles. He served in the state Attorney General’s office, worked with a prominent Albany lobbying firm, was the Legislative Director for Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, and acted as the Political and Legislative Director for New Yorkers for Lawsuit Reform. His diverse experience brings invaluable expertise to our team. If you’d like to learn more about Dan’s accomplishments or if you’ve got an impossible problem that needs to be solved, you can head to our website: https://lnkd.in/e4S8S3T9

Dominic Kablack, our new Director of Scheduling at the Parkside Group, has over a decade of experience in operational management and advocacy, and brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, team management, and organizational efficiency. Drawn to Parkside by the warmth and friendliness of our team, Dominic is passionate about professional growth and delivering results. He looks forward to collaborating with talented colleagues, embracing new challenges, and advancing our mission with dedication. In his role, Dominic manages schedules for lobby days and events, oversees fundraising efforts, and ensures compliance. He is particularly excited to learn more about the lobbying process and how to effectively advocate for impactful policies. Dominic previously served as the Director of Operations at Educational Advocacy Services, where he played a crucial role in streamlining operations, enhancing service delivery, and advocating for individuals with special needs.

Beth Warren, Parkside's Deputy COO, brings unparalleled programmatic expertise and operational acumen to Parkside’s internal initiatives. Beth has developed and implemented strategies, processes, and protocols that enhance our ability to serve clients effectively. With a rich background in coalition building, she excels in leading people, driving change, and delivering exceptional results. At Parkside, Beth's day-to-day involves collaborating with the Government Relations team, renewing client agreements, and ensuring seamless coordination and organization. She excels at process improvement, translating ideas into action, and managing multiple complex projects at once. Beth's strategic thinking, organizational skills, and passion for achieving results make her a vital asset to Parkside. Before joining Parkside, Beth spent most of her career in New York’s public sector, working with nonprofits, city government, and state government. As a Senior Advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Operations of NYC, she provided strategic and operational leadership on various cross-office and cross-agency initiatives. Her previous roles include supporting small business development at New York State’s Empire State Development and coordinating federal and state efforts at NYC’s Office of Emergency Management post-9/11. Beth's move to Parkside felt like a natural progression, bringing together her experiences from the nonprofit, public, and corporate sectors. She appreciates the interconnectedness of these areas and leverages her diverse background to make impactful decisions.

As Parkside’s Vice President of Administration, Susana Silva has helped contribute to the firm’s success for many years, navigating the complexities of lobbying regulations, ensuring the smooth operations of our multiple offices, and managing intricate administrative tasks. Susana began her career at Parkside as a scheduler for Evan Stavisky, Co-founder and President of the company. As the lobbying team expanded, her responsibilities grew, encompassing the organization of meetings, hotel bookings, and eventually overseeing the firm’s accounting and crucial lobbying filings. Today, Susana plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with lobbying regulations, managing backend paperwork, ensuring our lobbyists are registered and their work is updated bi-monthly, a task critical for maintaining our operations and avoiding fines. Before joining the Parkside Group, Susana had an impressive career in the financial services industry. She served as an Executive Assistant at Delta Bank and Merrill Lynch, and as a Banking Officer at Citigroup, after earning her degree in International Business from Pace University. During the financial market fallout when Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers collapsed, Susana was one of the many affected. A friend working at Parkside mentioned an opening, and despite coming from finance and brokerage, she decided to make the shift. Evan immediately recognized Susana’s potential and hired her, marking the beginning of an 14-year journey with Parkside. Transitioning from a corporate to a small business environment was a significant change for Susana. The close-knit, personal atmosphere at Parkside was a stark contrast to the segmented structure she was used to in corporate roles. However, this transition allowed her to leverage her extensive experience in finance to create efficient systems and ensure timely vendor payments. Susana’s dedication to efficiency and compliance ensures that the Parkside Group runs smoothly and effectively. Her ability to adapt and thrive through changes makes her an indispensable member of our team. Susana continues to be a driving force behind our success, always finding ways to make our processes more efficient and our operations smoother.

As Parkside’s Accounting Associate, Andrew Costello supports all company-wide operations for accounts, ledgers, and financial reporting. Andrew communicates with clients about payments, and is focused on refining the processing for campaign billing, and conducting process analysis to enhance efficiency. His work includes automating processes to catch errors and oversights, leveraging his expertise in Excel macros to enhance efficiency. Andrew’s innovative approach to accounting and his dedication to improving processes make him an essential part of the Parkside team. In an age where AI and automation are becoming increasingly important, Andrew’s ability to harness these tools for better efficiency and accuracy is a valuable asset. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as a Bookkeeper and Excel Macro Designer for various retail companies and law firms over the past 30 years. His career began at JPMorgan Chase, Credit Lyonnais (now Crédit Agricole), and Bank of Bermuda (New York) Ltd. (now HSBC Bank), where he specialized in letters of credit and loan administration, managing both international and domestic transactions. Andrew’s talents extend beyond accounting; he has also enjoyed a successful career as a professional opera singer, performing principal roles at major opera houses and concert halls in the US and Europe.

"When you’re lobbying for one of the most transformative pieces of legislation in New York history, it helps to have a partner who is as embedded in the halls of Albany as Evan Stavisky and his Parkside Group." Thanks for the kind words, City & State, and also for recognizing my outstanding colleague at The Parkside Group: Daniel Katz, our partners at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP: Jeremy Kudon & Brad Fischer, and of course our clients: Jason Robins, Matthew King, Adam Greenblatt, Mike Ventre, James Schultz, & Tracey Edwards.

When it comes to healthcare policy, Kathryn Gordon stands as a beacon of expertise and dedication. With a career spanning from the legislative halls of New York State to the intricacies of healthcare associations, Kathryn has navigated complex regulatory landscapes with finesse and determination. A seasoned professional, Kathryn's journey into the world of policy began in the New York State Senate, where she served as a legislative director for esteemed senators, including Ruth Hassell-Thompson and Antoine Thompson. Her tenure in the Senate provided invaluable experience in understanding the inner workings of government and the importance of advocacy in shaping policies that impact communities. Kathryn's transition into healthcare advocacy saw her working with prominent organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Health Care Association of New York State (HANYS). Here, she spearheaded initiatives aimed at championing women's health rights, including ensuring pregnancy accommodations in the workplace and advocating for the codification of Roe v. Wade. Beyond her legislative achievements, Kathryn's commitment to empowering healthcare professionals and patients alike is evident in her creation of a resident advocacy program. This groundbreaking initiative, adopted nationally, empowered medical residents to advocate for themselves and their profession. She serves on the Board of Directors for multiple healthcare workforce organizations & other advisory councils/workgroups aimed at developing and connecting resources and programs across the spectrum of the healthcare system.  In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kathryn’s leadership shone brightly as she navigated the complexities of healthcare regulations, coordinated executive orders, and ensured the efficient operation of healthcare facilities in the face of unprecedented challenges. But perhaps Kathryn's most impactful endeavor lies in her tireless advocacy for children with medical needs, exemplified by her successful lobbying efforts to change legislation allowing non-clinicians to administer life-saving medication to diabetic children in schools. Her tenacity and compassion have transformed policies, safeguarding the well-being of countless children across the state. Today, as Kathryn embarks on a new chapter at the Parkside Group, her wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to advocacy continue to drive positive change. Kathryn remains a steadfast advocate for those in need, embodying the ethos of public service and leadership. In a world where policy decisions shape lives, Kathryn stands as a testament to the power of advocacy and the enduring impact of those who dare to champion change. If you’d like to take a closer look at Kathryn’s accomplishments, or if you’re in need of someone to advocate for your healthcare organization, you can head to our website.