Jennifer Cunningham
Jennifer Cunningham was called "the most powerful unelected woman in New York politics" by the Daily News and "the top political strategist at what is considered the state's most politically powerful union" by The New York Times. She joined KnickerbockerSKD after more than two decades of experience as a top labor leader and political strategist.
Political, Labor and Nonprofit Communications
Since joining KnickerbockerSKD, Jennifer has provided strategic communication services for many of the nation's largest labor unions and nonprofit groups, including production of award-winning television ads for the national campaign to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, and advertising for expanding the federal Childrens Health Insurance Program on behalf of the Partnership for Quality Care. She has also overseen some of the firm's most high-profile independent expenditure projects, including television and direct mail for President Barack Obama, Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and successful campaigns against former Senator Sununu and U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Schaeffer, among others.
A Commitment to Labor and Progressive Politics
Prior to joining Knickerbocker Jennifer served for eight years as Executive Director of the SEIU New York State Council and Executive Vice President for Politics and Legislation of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, which represents 300,000 healthcare workers throughout New York State, Massachusetts, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Prior to her work at SEIU, Jennifer served as Deputy Counsel to NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and practiced law for several years with the firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. She also served as Director of the New York State Assembly Majority's Regional Offices Program and as the Assistant Director for Politics and Legislation at District Council 37 AFSCME.
In her capacity as Executive Vice President of 1199 SEIU, Jennifer directed the union's extensive political and communications program, with a staff of over 50 professionals, a 100-station telecommunications center and a member-driven political action fund with annual revenues of over $6 million. She oversaw all paid and earned media and coordinated the union's legislative and public affairs battles, including stopping billions of cuts to Medicare, organizing tens of thousands of workers and coordinating its expansion into Massachusetts, Maryland and the District of Columbia. In 2006, she also served as a top advisor to Andrew Cuomo's successful campaign for New York State Attorney General.