Steve Zeltser Email and Phone Number

As the External Relations Manager for one of the oldest child welfare agencies in New York, my role at Little Flower involved the development, integration, and implementation of a wide range of external relations activities in alignment with the organization's strategic direction and mission. I collaborated with senior executives and served as a dedicated and enthusiastic ambassador, nurturing existing and cultivating new relationships with local, city, and state elected officials, peer agencies, and advocacy organizations. By advancing Little Flower's legislative and public positions, my aim was to benefit our frontline staff and the individuals we serve by engaging with relevant constituents.Notable accomplishments:- Advocacy for Human Services Workers: Played a key role in securing the highest cost-of-living adjustments for human services workers in over a decade. This includes integrating $60 million of baselined funding into the NYC city budget, underscoring a deep commitment to the welfare of those who are at the forefront of providing critical services.- Expansion of Fair Futures Funding: Helped secure record baselined funding for Fair Futures, a program that provides life coaches, tutors, and comprehensive support in health, housing, education, and employment for foster youth aged 11 to 21. This program has notably enhanced graduation rates, post-secondary enrollment, and youth self-sufficiency, positively impacting up to 5,000 youth in NYC.- Creation of the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services: Advocated for the establishment of this pivotal office, enhancing the management of nearly 5,000 contracts with human services organizations in New York City. My achievements reflect a significant contribution to the field of human services, demonstrating my commitment to improving the lives of New Yorkers through strategic policy implementation and advocacy which resulted in a consequential impact to the welfare and support systems in New York.

Leveraging my strong strategic planning skills, I successfully completed over 50 events annually for the largest private hospital in Brooklyn. By effectively overseeing a $400,000 budget, I have driven the development and execution of special projects and community outreach activities, with a primary focus on advancing clinical programs and innovative medicine. Through my proficiency in event planning and budget allocation, I have successfully implemented impactful initiatives that enabled individuals to lead healthy lifestyles.- Worked closely with key clinical departments, including the Heart & Vascular Institute, Cancer Center, Division of Surgery, and Children's Hospital, to plan and execute special projects and community outreach initiatives.- Served as the designated Community Outreach Coordinator on the Cancer Committee, Heart & Vascular Marketing and Steering Committee, and Promoting Maimonides Committee.- Collaborated with external medical and community-based organizations to develop and implement community outreach activities.- Conducted the Cancer Center Community Health Needs Assessment to meet Commission on Cancer compliance. Results identify key health needs and issues used by the hospital to establish community outreach strategies.- Established and maintained relationships with vendors and suppliers to ensure the success and completion of events and initiatives.- Assisted Executive Officers in establishing metrics and feedback mechanisms to measure the success of community outreach strategies, actively involved in monitoring and reporting to Senior Executives.- Drafted and designed program-related materials such as pamphlets, flyers, event programs and CEO briefing forms.

As a senior policy advisor in the then newly created Mayor's Office of Recovery and Resiliency, I played a vital role in strategic planning discussions for public engagement and communications. I established and cultivated relationships with intergovernmental stakeholders and public partners at various government levels. Through daily liaison activities with these stakeholders, I supported the Mayor's Office in developing and disseminating crucial messages related to post-Sandy climate change adaptation and resiliency programs to the public, local elected officials, and the broader community.- Collaborated with City Hall, as well as state and federal stakeholders including FEMA and the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery, on citywide climate change resiliency issues.- Prepared diverse communication materials, including press releases, speeches, testimony, and responses to legislator inquiries. Developed engaging multimedia content for social media platforms.- Supported the External Affairs team in coordinating, planning, and executing various initiatives.- Conducted research and monitored relevant city and state legislation, providing timely updates on potential impacts.

As a representative of the Brooklyn Borough President, I collaborated with local institutions, developed relationships with elected officials and community stakeholders, and maintained neighborhood profiles to provide valuable insights. I identified emerging community issues, assisted in strategic planning and execution of events, and drafted various communication materials.- Represented the Brooklyn Borough President in ten South Brooklyn community districts.- Collaborated with commanding officers in 13 police precincts on regional issues, including police/community relations and crime response. - Created and updated neighborhood profiles to provide political and civic insights for the Borough President.- Identified and communicated emerging community issues to the Borough President and Borough Hall staff.- Drafted press releases, briefing documents, and talking points.

Provided strategic consulting services at a full-service public affairs firm, specializing in government relations, public policy advocacy, budgetary advocacy, legislative and regulatory affairs, strategic planning, communications, political consulting, community outreach, and business development strategies.- Navigated governmental and political settings and crises on behalf of clients.- Conducted comprehensive research and prepared summaries on legislative and political issues.- Advocated for clients' legislative and policy interests by engaging with union representatives, elected and legislative officials, and executive authorities.

- Developed and executed a mayoral campaign voter outreach strategy focused on five assembly districts.- Collaborated with local elected officials, political organizations, and community leaders to drive maximum voter turnout.- Oversaw the management of a staging location, leading a team of 35 volunteers throughout the campaign season.

I orchestrated a comprehensive grassroots advocacy campaign to oppose the State government's plan to open a casino in Coney Island, Brooklyn, overseeing all aspects of its implementation and success.- Established and managed a highly efficient infrastructure, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and program administration.- Developed and executed a community outreach strategy with a budget exceeding $400,000, maximizing engagement and awareness.- Mobilized a diverse coalition of 70 elected officials, community activists, religious groups, and civic organizations, uniting their efforts against the casino proposal.- Fostered strategic partnerships with anti-casino advocates at the statewide level, broadening the campaign's impact and reach.- Crafted various organizational communications, including press releases, op-eds, position papers, legislative testimony, and letters to supporters and community members, while maintaining media relationships.

Oversaw every aspect of a successful judicial campaign, including volunteer coordination, community organization outreach, and engagement with supporters and elected officials.

Streamlined campaign operations and strategy by offering comprehensive guidance and support to a congressional candidate, including conducting extensive voter outreach and seamless coordination with staff members for effective campaign execution.

Collaborated with local elected officials, community leaders, and the Russian community to mobilize voters for a state senate campaign, while strategically implementing and executing a targeted campaign plan in the designated area.

I played a pivotal role in drafting and steering NYC Council legislation that transformed the city's coastline into a vibrant economic and residential hub. As a key member of the councilmember's team, I managed his legislative portfolio, overseeing the enactment of ten bills into law. Additionally, I provided advice and assistance to the councilmember in his role as Chairman of the Committee on Waterfronts, collaborating with waterfront advocacy groups and relevant city agencies to ensure the enactment of key committee legislation. I also facilitated the councilmember's membership on seven other Council committees, supported his leadership of the New York City Council Jewish Caucus, and represented him at various meetings with constituents, community leaders, advocates, and city agencies. Furthermore, I managed the Councilmember's press communications, including issuing press releases and interview preparations.