Six to Watch

Rockefeller Alumni Honored for Career Acheivements

The Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy alumni named to City & State’s annual “40 under 40” list are, left to right, Lauren Bailey, Cory Loomis, Jennifer Wilson, Jillian Faison, Joe Bonilla and Kathleen Brady-Stepian.

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 26, 2017) — The University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy has had six of its alumni named to City & State’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars list. Rockefeller’s Lauren Bailey, Joe Bonilla, Kathleen Brady-Stepien, Jillian Faison, Cory Loomis and Jennifer Wilson were honored at City & State’s annual reception on Tuesday, June 20, at the Hilton Albany.

Every year, City & State recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields, and are on their way to amassing accomplishments well beyond their age. The Class of 2017 Rising Stars was profiled in a special print edition of City & State Magazine distributed at the reception.

Rockefeller’s Honorees:

Lauren Bailey, BA/BS Political Science and Public Health ’13
Mobility Manager, Capital District Transportation Authority

Bailey serves as the mobility manager for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) where her job involves bringing consistency to taxi regulations in the Capital Region. Bailey’s roles include finding creative solutions to age-old transportation problems, and finding shared mobility options for the greater Albany area. At UAlbany, Bailey was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with high honors as a dual major in public health and political science. Among her many awards are the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and the UAlbany President’s Award for Academic Excellence.

Joe Bonilla, BA Public Policy ’11
Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Relentless Awareness LLC

Bonilla, the managing partner, senior media director and co-founder of the public relations firm Relentless Awareness LCC, is directly responsible for day-to-day agency operations in Albany, in addition to leading the agency’s Content Creation and Policy & Regulatory Affairs teams and executive producer for agency-executed events. A 2011 graduate of UAlbany, Bonilla has directly managed high profile events in New York’s Capital Region, including President Clinton’s visit to the University at Albany campus in 2011 and the City of Albany’s 2014 Inaugural Ceremonies. Active within the community, Bonilla also serves as president of Capital CarShare, managing director of the Knickerbocker Film Festival, and is a board member for the University at Albany Alumni Association and Troy Preparatory Charter School.

Kathleen Brady-Stepien, Center for Women in Government and Civil Society Fellow ’14
Associate Executive Director, Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies

Brady-Stepien is the associate executive director at Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies and is responsible for analyzing policy and developing positions relating to child welfare and juvenile justice. She is also the primary liaison to state government entities, as well as coordinator of the activities of the NYS Coalition of 853 Schools. Brady-Stepien was a 2014 Center for Women in Government and Civil Society Women and Public Policy Fellow at Rockefeller College, and holds a Master of Social Work degree from SUNY Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vassar College.

Jillian Faison, BA Political Science and Women’s Studies ’05
Director of Government Affairs, Housing Works

Faison is the director of government affairs at Housing Works, a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Housing Works’ mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain their efforts. In her role, Faison engages in education and legislative advocacy, and works collaboratively on legislation and state budget initiatives with elected officials, state agencies and community-based coalitions to further the mission of Housing Works. Faison graduated from UAlbany in 2005 and earned her JD from Dickinson Law in 2008.

Cory Loomis, MPA ’15
Legislative Director, Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates and The Riddell Group, LLC.

Loomis earned a Master of Public Administration from Rockefeller College in 2015 and serves as the legislative director at Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates and The Riddell Group, LLC. Prior to his appointments, Loomis served as the John M. Reilly Legislative Intern at United University Professions, the Clarence Petty Intern at the Adirondack Council, and interned at the Albany Office of U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer.

Jennifer Wilson, MPA ’15
Program and Policy Director, League of Women Voters of New York State

Wilson, who received an MPA from Rockefeller College in 2015, is the director of programs and policy at the League of Women Voters of New York State. In the role, Wilson researches and lobbies on legislation and policy issues regarding good government practices, women's equality, healthcare, campaign financing and voter rights. Wilson previously served as the deputy regional director in the office of U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer.

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