Dana Ariel Schmerzler
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Dynamic policy advocate with a proven track record at State Senator Liz Krueger's Office, adept in policy research and team collaboration. Spearheaded impactful policy projects and enhanced legislative strategies, leveraging expertise in Legislative Retrieval System (LRS) and constituent services. Excelled in creating influential campaigns and fostering significant stakeholder relationships, driving social change and legislative advancements.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Constituent Liaison
State Senator Liz Krueger's Office
New York, NY
01.2022 - Current
- Lead policy projects, including increasing HEAP funding and improving the NYC Marshal System, while coordinating with lawyers, legislative staff, and advocates.
- Run calls with advocates and lobbying groups to organize budget requests and assist with budget testimony analysis.
- Assisted the Legislative Director with attending the Democratic Conference and session, reporting back to the Senator and Chief of Staff on key legislation and issues during the 2024 session.
- Assist the Communications Director in drafting press statements and managing social media posts on legislative topics across social media platforms.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for constituents, focusing on housing, and public benefits.
- Organize events and benefit clinics, including fair housing clinics and supply drives for asylum seekers, in partnership with lawyers, nonprofits, and state agencies.
- Managed housing intern, creating daily agendas, targets, and goals for their internship period.
Co-Lead for IONY Generalists
Invest in Our New York
Brooklyn, NY
09.2020 - Current
- Performed a comprehensive analysis of local and international approaches to tax and housing policies for new bill ideas.
- Presented key tax policy for IONY to various stakeholders across the state, and provided training on how the state budget process works.
- Coordinated lobbying efforts with elected officials, and presented research on economic development to inform campaign policy.
- Organized creative direct actions, protests, and press conferences in Albany.
- Built coalitions with partner organizations, conducted one-on-one meetings, and recruited new members.
Campaign Assistant & Petition Organizer
Political Campaigns (Melanie D'Arrigo for CD 03, Kellie Leeson for AD 73)
New York, NY
03.2022 - 06.2022
- Planned and managed different community meetings, outreach events, and canvassing to build voter and political support.
- Tracked and assessed data to make immediate changes to underperforming campaign strategies.
- Liaised with key donors to increase their fiscal support and grow the fundraising platform.
- Promoted the campaign through digital marketing materials and social media campaigns.
Social Change Fellow
Yahel Social Change Fellowship
Lod/Lyd, Israel-Palestine
10.2019 - 06.2020
- Created programs with government officials, social leaders, and mutual aid organizations to promote equity between Palestinians and Israelis in Lydd.
- Worked with local government to create affordable housing plan to diminish gentrification and preserve deteriorating homes occupied by Palestinians.
- Ran a fundraising campaign for Eritrean refugees and supported grassroots community-building initiatives during COVID-19.
Art Fair Manager
Edwynn Houk Gallery
New York, NY
04.2017 - 10.2018
- Cultivate client relationships and manage the gallery's international art fair program, including negotiating contracts.
- Served as the primary liaison to contractors, investors, clients, and gallery artists.
- Managed art exhibition events, roundtable talks, and meetings with the gallery director.
Education
BFA - Photography, Psychology
State University of New York At New Paltz
01.2015
Skills
Databases and platforms
- Legislative Retrieval System (LRS)
- Bluebird
- Power Analysis Training
- Slack and Asana
- Photoshop, InDesign, and Canva
- WordPress and Squarespace
- Digital and analog photography
Skills
- Policy Research
- Team collaboration
- Meeting and event organizing
- Speech writing
- Content creation
- Editing and proofreading
Websites
Affiliations
How I spend my time outside work:
Acting, Painting, writing poetry and figureskating
What you won't see on my resume:
I waitressed for ten years and volunteered for the student crisis hotline at my college.
Certification
· WFP Campaign Camp
· Jeramiah Community Organizing Fellow
· Center for Artistic Activism Workshop
· JOIN for Justice Community Organizing Course
· Hollaback’s Bystander Intervention Training, Conflict De-escalation Training
Volunteer
· Jews for Racial and Economic Justice
· Bend the Arc, Steering Committee
· Long Island Good Neighbors Initiative
· Empire State Indivisible Member
· North Brooklyn Mutual Aid
· FREE, Art Therapy Assistant
· Highland Residential Center, Tutor
Timeline
Campaign Assistant & Petition Organizer
Political Campaigns (Melanie D'Arrigo for CD 03, Kellie Leeson for AD 73)
03.2022 - 06.2022
Constituent Liaison
State Senator Liz Krueger's Office
01.2022 - Current
Co-Lead for IONY Generalists
Invest in Our New York
09.2020 - Current
Social Change Fellow
Yahel Social Change Fellowship
10.2019 - 06.2020
Art Fair Manager
Edwynn Houk Gallery
04.2017 - 10.2018
BFA - Photography, Psychology
State University of New York At New Paltz
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