Gillibrand Campaign Announces New Round of Senior Staff Hires
Today, the Gillibrand 2020 Exploratory Committee announced a new round of senior hires as Senator Kirsten Gillibrand gears up to run for the Democratic nomination for president.
“We are proud to announce the hiring of this talented group of strategists, who together have exceptional records of success at the national, state and local level,” said Gillibrand Communications Director Meredith Kelly. “The campaign is firing on all cylinders coming off of Senator Gillibrand’s successful trip to Iowa, and these dynamic new hires will build on that momentum.”
The hires include:
Alexandra Sanchez - Research Director
Alex Sanchez has served as Senator Gillibrand's research director and adviser since Gillibrand's appointment to the Senate in 2009. Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Alex worked in senior research roles for former Governor Bill Richardson's gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, and Senator Tom Udall's campaign for the United States Senate.
Gregory Smiley - National Deputy Political Director
Gregory O. Smiley will be joining the campaign next month as national deputy political director. He previously served as campaign manager for Gillibrand’s 2018 Senate re-election campaign. Smiley was born in Jamaica, West Indies and grew up in East New York Brooklyn. Beginning in 2014, Smiley helmed a diverse portfolio as Gillibrand's director of intergovernmental affairs, including guidance on key policy areas such as gun control and marijuana decriminalization.
Evan Lukaske - National Press Secretary
Evan Lukaske joins the Gillibrand campaign after spending the 2018 cycle at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as northeast press secretary. Previous to that, Evan served as press secretary at the New Hampshire Democratic Party. A born-and-bred New Yorker, Evan started his political career working for former DCCC Chairman Steve Israel, and also worked on campaigns for former Congressman Tim Bishop and Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.
Alexandria Phillips - Traveling Press Secretary
Alex Phillips is moving over from Senator Gillibrand's official Senate Office where she served as press secretary. Previously, she was director of surrogates and media affairs for Minority Leader of the Senate Charles E. Schumer, served as a press aide to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, and worked at the State Department and Rockefeller Foundation. A Missouri native, she is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.
Stefanie Conahan - Finance Director
Stefanie Conahan leads Senator Gillibrand's national finance team, after having been a senior member of the Senator's fundraising team for the 2010, 2012 and 2018 campaigns and managing her Off the Sidelines PAC, which raised over $7 million for almost 200 women candidates since the 2012 cycle. Stefanie started her political career working for Senator Evan Bayh and worked on Hillary Clinton’s 2008 Presidential campaign. A mom of three, Stefanie attended Syracuse University and George Washington’s Graduate School of Political Management.
Erica Bordador - Deputy Finance Director
Part of the Gillibrand team since the 2010 cycle, Erica Bordador has led the Senator's Mid-Atlantic fundraising since 2012. Erica has also served as the Senator's trip director, and most recently was political director for Gillibrand's Off the Sidelines PAC. Prior to Gillibrand, Erica served in the offices of former Representatives Debbie Halvorson and Baron Hill. A first-generation American, she is originally from Louisville, Kentucky.
