Scott is an internationally recognized consultant and has built The Advance Group into one of the country's leading strategic consulting firms. Scott created The Advance Group following a decade of community organizing and labor union organizing, which included serving as the lead advance person for Jesse Jackson's Presidential Campaign in 1988 and as Director of Advance for David Dinkins' mayoral campaign in 1989.

Scott ran Mark Green’s successful 1993 race to become New York City's first elected Public Advocate, and from 1994 through 1999, he served as Chief of Operations for the Office of the Public Advocate of the City of New York. Scott also served as the Campaign Director for both Mr. Green's 1998 run for the U.S. Senate and Ruth Messinger's 1997 campaign for Mayor of New York City.

Scott is a national commentator on New York City and national Democratic politics. He can often be seen on television, radio and in print media. Scott is a trained organizer and campaign veteran with a national reputation. A Political Science major with a specialty in African Studies at Boston University, Scott has a son, Sebastian, and lives in Forest Hills, New York.

 

Rachel has over 15 years of experience in political consulting, fundraising and event production. Rachel has run dozens of campaigns and produced dozens of high-profile events for not-for-profits, corporations and elected officials. Rachel's first experience in politics was on Mark Green's 1993 campaign for Public Advocate. After that she served as Deputy Finance Director for Green's 1998 campaign for US Senate. Rachel was also the Assistant Campaign Manager for the New York State Democratic Committee's 1998 Coordinated Campaign, before returning to The Advance Group full time at the end of that year.

In addition to campaign management, Rachel is often sought after to produce events, and over the last decade has produced events such as: ACORN’s 25th Anniversary Gala with Keynote Speaker, President Bill Clinton; Children of Chernobyl's Silent and Live Auction at Sotheby's Auction House; Legacy Tour 94's Soccer Extravaganza at Central Park; the London Review of Books Forum on Israeli Foreign Policy; the New Israel Fund's 25th Anniversary Dinner; and the White House Project's EPIC Awards at Capitale.

Rachel has a BA in Political Science from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and is currently working towards her Master's in Business Administration at Baruch's Zicklin School of Business. Rachel lives in Manhattan's Union Square neighborhood.

 

For over 20 years, Michael has been a sought after advisor and strategic consultant to elected officials, corporations, not-for-profits and other individuals of significance. He is an entrepreneur with strong business acumen and has been with the Advance Group from its inception.

A senior member of The Advance Group, Lauren joined the firm in the summer of 2002. Lauren oversees the government affairs and lobbying division and manages the accounts of some of our nations leading not-for-profits including the American Red Cross of Greater New York, The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, the Primary Care Development Corporation, and The Community Health Care Association of New York State. Lauren also acts as an advisor and consultant to many of the Advance Group's political, labor and non-profit clients and has managed numerous projects for the New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council, IUPAT District Council 9, Diane Savino for State Senate and Hakeem Jeffries for State Assembly.

Lauren received her BA from Wesleyan University where she majored in Economics and spent time abroad studying at the London School of Economics. Lauren also has a Master's in Public Administration from Baruch's School of Public Affairs. Prior to joining The Advance Group, Lauren worked at the American Women’s Economic Development Corporation in Manhattan and as a Portfolio Analyst for an asset management firm, Associated Investor Services, in South Florida. Lauren is originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and currently lives in Manhattan’s Stuyvesant Town.

 

lbierman@theadvancegroup.com

Laura joined The Advance Group after relocating from California to New York City. A graduate of Whittier College with a BA in Political Science and International Relations, Laura also studied at Stanford University’s Business School before pursuing a career in politics. A nationally recognized fundraiser while still in college, Laura worked extensively in political research, political organizing and international development work for which she was recognized by both the California State Senate and the University of California. After discovering her real interest was in political campaigns, Laura worked on numerous campaigns serving as finance director and campaign manager for state and local elections.

Since joining The Advance Group, Laura has been responsible for the management, messaging, strategic and creative needs of candidates for elected office throughout the five boroughs and the East Coast.

 

laura@theadvancegroup.com

Katie, a Virginia native, joined The Advance Group in 2010, after spending the election cycle working on a New York State Senate race.  Katie keeps the office running smoothly, handling scheduling and administration for the office and our clients. Prior to joining The Advance Group, Katie worked as a Congressional Intern for Rep. Shelley Berkley in Washington, DC and for a non-profit, Children, Inc.  in Richmond Virginia.  Katie received her BS from Virginia Commonwealth University and currently resides in Manhattan.

 

katie@theadvancegroup.com