Three NYU Wagner Alumni Named to City & State's 2025 Political Consultants Power 100

January 21, 2025

City & State’s 2025 Political Consultants Power 100 highlights the key players who have made significant contributions to New York’s most impactful campaigns. Among this year’s honorees are three NYU Wagner alumni whose expertise and leadership have shaped the state’s political landscape.

55. Matthew Bitz (MPA 2007), Senior Vice President for Strategic Development, Culver Place Strategies
As a senior leader at Culver Place Strategies, Matthew Bitz has been instrumental in crafting fundraising strategies for prominent Democratic leaders, including state Attorney General Letitia James. This cycle, his team successfully guided multiple state lawmakers through reelection, such as Assembly Members Stefani Zinerman and Alex Bores and state Sens. James Skoufis and Luis Sepúlveda. Looking ahead, Bitz is set to play a critical role in campaigns like Mark Levine’s bid for city comptroller and Ken Jenkins’ race for Westchester County executive.

75. Michael Skelly (MPA 2016), President, Skelly Strategic Solutions
Michael Skelly has built a formidable reputation in strategic communications and government affairs over the past decade. Through his firm, Skelly Strategic Solutions, he has spearheaded issue advocacy campaigns for labor unions across New York, Florida, and New Jersey. Recently, Skelly successfully negotiated labor contracts for the New York City Corrections Officers’ Benevolent Association and is actively addressing wage disparities affecting NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association members. His advocacy efforts extend to Nassau County corrections officers and New York State court officers.

86. April Cardena (EMPA 2024), Founding Partner, Premier Strategies
April Cardena’s strategic acumen has driven Republican successes in New York City’s outer boroughs. As co-founder of Premier Strategies, Cardena led the groundbreaking campaign of Kristy Marmorato, the first Republican to win a Bronx council seat in decades. In addition to her consulting work, Cardena now serves as Marmorato’s chief of staff. Her firm has continued its winning streak, securing a narrow reelection victory for Assembly Member Michael Novakhov in 2024, cementing its role as a key player in Republican political consulting.