The 40 under 40 rising stars of New York City 2016

Bill de Blasio started out as a young political operative with dreams of getting elected to the New York City Council. Carl Heastie was once a little-known assemblyman from the Bronx. Melissa Mark-Viverito left her native Puerto Rico to attend college in New York and cut her teeth as an activist and community board member.

The early professional experiences of these political heavyweights in New York City are no different from those of the exceptional young men and women featured in these pages. In this issue, we look ahead to the next generation of local leaders in politics and government. Our annual list features the city’s most remarkable young lobbyists, staffers, advocates, activists and journalists – all of them under the age of 40.

One of them could eventually be elected mayor of the city. Another one might one day lead the state Senate or Assembly. Still others could contend for the position of speaker of the New York City Council. Many of them are certain to play influential roles in city government and politics for years to come.
So without further ado, we present this year’s New York City 40 Under 40 Rising Stars.