Risa is the CEO of Risa Heller Communications, a full-service communications and public affairs consultancy based in New York City.

Ms. Heller builds on her background in politics and crisis communications to help clients navigate the highest levels of national top-tier media as well as complex issues management environments where reputation or permission to operate is on the line. Ms. Heller’s work centers on the intersection of public affairs, issues management and front-page news. She has worked with a range of clients in varied sectors as well as a range of high-profile individuals and families in New York, Washington and Los Angeles.

Risa has served at the highest levels of government: as Communications Director to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer she served as his chief media strategist and senior spokesperson, and moved on to serve in a similar role for New York State Governor David A. Paterson. She graduated from the University of Michigan and received her M.A. in Communications from Johns Hopkins University.