Students Experience Albany with St. John’s Alumni

The various St. John’s University Alumni Insider’s View... programs, from Wall Street to Capitol Hill, are designed to provide students with a behind-the-scenes look at careers and how they can secure employment in today’s most exciting industries. 

On April 29 and 30, a select group of 33 St. John’s University students spent two impactful days in Albany, NY, traversing the halls of political power and learning from a broad range of dedicated alumni about careers and opportunities in and around the Capital Region.

Offered each spring and sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations and University Career Services, the Alumni Insider’s View…New York State Capital program allows students to network with and learn from distinguished alumni in and around the New York State (NYS) capital. This year, for the first time, the trip featured an overnight stay so students could maximize the experience.

Students got a firsthand look at Albany in action during a tour of the Capitol building as several hot-button topics—including the state budget, education reform, and health care—were being discussed. For almost all the students, it was their first time in the historic and ornate Capitol building, and it was an interactive and eye-opening experience.

“The geographic distance between New York City and Albany is 150 miles, but that divide was further reduced by the closeness and camaraderie expressed by the alumni who students interacted with,” observed Brian Browne ’93C, ’97G, Associate Vice President of University Communications and Public Affairs, who moderated two alumni panel discussions. “Students learned that many advocates, lobbyists, and government staff regularly travel between New York and Albany during the six months that the NYS Legislature is in session, so the career opportunities in and around the state government are endless.”

“Albany AIV was my first time in the capital city and on a Career Services trip,” said Isabella Heinzen, a graduate student from California enrolled in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “I expected the opportunity to network with industry professionals to be valuable, but my experience connecting with St. John’s alumni who are making a significant impact in their communities was truly inspiring to someone who wants to pursue a career in public service.”

After arriving at the Empire State Plaza, a multi-use group of buildings, the students convened for morning and afternoon alumni panel discussions. The students heard from multiple generations of St. John’s alumni who live in the region or who regularly interact with the mechanisms of state government.

The first session featured the following alumni panelists:

The Honorable Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick ’87CBA, ’94L
New York State Senator, District 9

The Honorable Jack Martins ’91L
New York State Senator, District 7

The Honorable Anthony H. Palumbo ’98L
New York State Senator, District 1

Alexander Marion ’12C
Syracuse City Auditor 

Sarah E. Spellman ’14C
Legislative Director, New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo

Kevin G. Wisniewski ’15TCB
Senior Advisor, New York State Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi

The second session featured the following alumni panelists:

Shannon R. Fredericks ’23C
Scheduler and Special Events Coordinator, NYS Senator Patricia M. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

Joseph J. Galante ’87C
Assistant Comptroller for Strategic Planning and Program Effectiveness, NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

The Honorable John K. Mikulin ’10C, ’11G
New York State Assemblymember, District 17

Gregory Mitchell ’14C, ’16G
Vice President, Hollis Public Affairs

J. Antonio (Tony) Quesada ’05C
Senior Managing Director, Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno LLC

The Honorable Ed Ra ’07L
New York State Assemblymember, District 19

Robert Ungar ’87L
President, Robert A. Ungar Associates, Inc.

David Weinraub ’79SVC, ’84L
Cofounder and Managing Partner, Brown & Weinraub, PLLC

Molly Richardson, a junior from Rhode Island studying International Management in The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, appreciated the advice and networking opportunities. “During this two-day experience in New York State’s capital, I had the privilege of meeting numerous senators and assembly members, many of whom are St. John’s graduates. Seeing St. John’s graduates doing such pivotal and impactful work was truly inspirational. I am incredibly grateful to have expanded my network to include these influential figures.”

After lunch, the group traveled to the Blue Room in the NYS Capitol Building to hear from Blake G. Washington, Budget Director, State of New York. Mr. Washington summarized the highlights of the massive $254-billion Fiscal Year 2026 Budget before taking questions from the student audience.

“As someone who grew up in a nonpolitical, non–English-speaking, immigrant household, I believed law school was the only viable path to making a difference, because that’s often how success is framed in communities like mine: become a doctor or a lawyer, nothing else,” said Kritika Sharma, a Legal Studies major in The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies.

She added, “A government or public service career never even crossed my mind until this trip to Albany completely reshaped that perspective. Meeting policymakers and public officials who generously shared their time and journeys made public service feel tangible and deeply impactful. I am profoundly grateful to St. John’s for opening my eyes to new possibilities and investing in programs that empower students to lead with purpose.”

An evening alumni reception in the Albany Room saw students interact with alumni and friends of the University. Day two began with an in-depth tour of the historic New York State Capitol. For more than 100 years, this magnificently ornate building—a preeminent example of late 19th-century architecture—has been New York State’s government seat.

Students then walked over to the Office of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli for an hour-long session with the statewide public official. Comptroller DiNapoli briefed the delegation on the role of the statewide office and described the various career opportunities available in diverse fields of study.

“Think about a career in public service, Comptroller DiNapoli advised. “Government can always use more talented people like you all.”

The trip concluded with a friendly lunch hosted by David Weinraub ’79SVC, ’84L , Cofounder and Managing Partner, Brown & Weinraub, PLLC, at his office in downtown Albany’s Kenmore building, a vintage brick building dating back to the late 1800s. Brown & Weinraub is a leading government relations and strategic consulting lobbying firm, representing a broad spectrum of business interests established and/or seeking to expand in New York. 

Mr. Weinraub recounted his modest upbringing and how he leveraged hard work, his St. John’s education, and the University’s expansive alumni network to achieve success. Brown & Weinraub is the top-ranked professional lobbyist firm statewide, bringing in $21.15 million in compensation in 2024.

“You’re all family,” the gravelly-voiced Mr. Weinraub declared. “And your degree and the St. John’s alumni network are two things you will carry with you throughout your lives.”

The generosity of the following St. John’s supporters made this trip possible.

• Patrick Lespinasse '00C
• Peter and Kate Prager
• Patricia Reilly '74C, '75G
• Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno LLC
• Robert Ungar '87L
• David Weinraub ’79SVC, ’84L