Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies is pleased to announce the hire of Kaitesi Munroe, who joins the group as a principal in the firm’s new LEED Gold certified 3 World Trade Center office in downtown Manhattan. Coming to the firm from The Madison Square Garden Company, where she served as a government affairs & social impact associate, Munroe will represent clients at the state and local levels and expand the firm’s reach with public officials and community leaders. Cozen O’Connor and Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies were recently named a Top 10 Lobbying Firm in New York City by City & State New York.
“Kaitesi has a demonstrated ability to coalesce leadership that is extremely beneficial when it comes to the development of public and private projects, making her an extremely valuable new addition to the team,” said Howard Schweitzer, CEO of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. “Her network and knowledge of the legislative process will be incredibly valuable to our clients.”
At The Madison Square Garden Company, Munroe provided strategic assistance in the implementation and operation of the Madison Square Garden Relief Fund, a multimillion-dollar impact fund designed to provide relief for employees of Madison Square Garden who were directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While working with the New York State Assembly, she designed the legislative framework that implemented Daily Fantasy Sports gambling in New York, generating millions of dollars in new revenue.
Munroe was instrumental in establishing the Annual Young Professionals Networking Reception for the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislators Caucus. She was honored as a Fellow at the American University Women & Politics Institute WeLead Leadership Program and as a Fellow in the New Leaders Council in Albany.
“Understanding New York’s complex government allows us to tailor legislative and budget strategies that succeed for our clients,” said Katie Schwab, managing director of the New York Public Strategies group. “Kaitesi brings that expertise as well as a proven ability to build relationships within different branches of government and in the private sector. We are thrilled to have Kaitesi join our team.”
“I am proud to join a team that gives me the opportunity to build upon the relationships I have established,” Munroe said. “Being able to develop and implement strategies that are proactive and beneficial for Cozen O’Connor clients is extremely encouraging.”
Munroe’s hire further bolsters the rapidly expanding Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, following the recent addition of former deputy staff director of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules C. Towner French in April 2021. Additionally, Munroe’s hire complements the recent growth of the firm’s New York office with the latest additions of former Silverstein Properties Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jonathan W. Knipe to the Real Estate practice and Aselle Kurmanova to the Health Law practice.
Munroe earned her B.S. in political science with a minor in African American studies at the State University of New York, Buffalo, and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public economics and finance and government information and strategy management, from the State University of New York, Albany Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, where she earned Pi Alpha Alpha National Honors for Public Affairs and Administration.
