TEAM

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OUR TEAM

Anthony Hayes | Founder and President

Anthony Hayes has spent more than 20 years working in communications, crisis, and issue management. In 2017 he founded The Hayes Initiative (THI), an award-winning premiere public affairs firm providing expertise at the crossroads of communications, government relations, and stakeholder management. Anthony has led THI to year-over-year growth and seven-figure revenues by serving clients across industries including AirBNB, Google, City Football Group, the National 9/11 Museum, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Clinton Global Initiatives, The Related Companies, and Blade by establishing a team of trusted and knowledgeable advisors who know that the right connections, preparation, and a defined mission will translate to action and deliver tangible results. In 2022, THI was named PR Agency of the Year by the Stevie Business Awards and most recently named one of City & State’s 2023 Political PR Power 50.

Anthony’s extensive experience working with industries from tech to non-profit to political campaigns, and his hands-on collaborations with organizations ranging from small businesses to multi-million dollar companies, have earned him recognition as one of Crain’s 2021 and 2022 Notable LGBT Executives and City and State’s 40 under 40 in New York. He and the THI team have established a one-stop shop that helps leaders and organizations execute major initiatives, secure media coverage, deliver events that receive global attention, and navigate the complexities of politics and government. Since founding THI, Anthony has led the public affairs and media relations for a number of high-profile projects, including the 9/11 20^th anniversary commemoration, the launch of New York’s Excluded Workers Fund, and the campaign for New York City’s first Afro-Latina candidate for mayor. During the pandemic, THI provided pro-bono services to small businesses, in particular New York City restaurants, to help them navigate crisis communications and government relations, while also organizing and lobbying for sidewalk cafes and PPP loans.

Prior to founding THI, Anthony served on Hillary For America’s national advance team where he specialized in crisis management and oversaw media logistics for economic, security, and social policy speeches; town halls; and rallies in dozens of states. He regularly briefed Secretary Clinton, President Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Senators Tim Kaine, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders, as well as their senior staff, in preparation for media appearances, press conferences, off-the-record visits, and prime-time interviews. Much of this work required close coordination with national TV networks and the United States Secret Service. Anthony also worked closely with Secretary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton on their book tour for The Book of Gutsy Women.

As Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy at GMHC, Anthony directed the strategy and implementation of all communications, advocacy, and marketing for the world’s first and the nation’s leading HIV and AIDS service organization. Before that, Anthony was an appointed official managing media and communications for highly sensitive issues at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He oversaw all communications for 5 airports, 6 bi-state crossings, PATH commuter rail, 2 high-traffic bus terminals, the largest East Coast seaport operation, the 16-acre World Trade Center site, and a 1,600-member police force. Anthony served as a member of the executive office and advised top leadership on communications and related operations across the agency’s portfolio, and he managed strategic national media responses related to emergencies such as Superstorm Sandy and public controversies including Bridgegate.

From his integral role in the national and New York State fight for marriage equality, to helping repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, to launching the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s first Employee Resource Group (ERG), Anthony has worked throughout his career to build inclusivity into the structure of organizations. He is proud to have built his own LGBTQ-owned and operated, award-winning company, that embodies those same inclusive values.

Anthony received his BA from The New School. A native Oklahoman, he has called New York City home for more than two decades.

Taína Borrero | Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development

Taína Borrero’s nearly 20 years’ experience in government relations, communications, nonprofit development, event strategy and execution, and business development help differentiate The Hayes Initiative (THI) as a sought-after cross-sector resource for white-glove public affairs service.

At THI, Taína provides public affairs support to clients including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the New York State Department of Labor, Nuvalence, and The New York City Football Club. She also leads public affairs efforts for Blade Urban Air Mobility, and served as THI’s senior advisor on Latino Strategy & Outreach to the NY State Democratic Party. Most recently, she worked closely on the election campaign for the first female Governor of the State of New York.

Taína leads business development efforts at THI, helping to ensure year-over-year growth and continuing to build the firm’s roster of diverse and high-profile clients. Most recently, her experience earned her recognition as one of City and State’s 2023 Above & Beyond Women, City and State’s 2022 Albany 40 under 40, Crain’s New York’s Notable 2022 Hispanic Leaders as well as one of PoliticsNY’s 2022 Power Players Rising.

Prior to joining THI, Taína served as Director of Business Development – Political/Government at MediaCo (HOT 97 and WBLS), where she led the execution of more than half a dozen virtual town halls featuring on-air talent, elected officials, and civic leaders. These town halls generated more than 1 million impressions on YouTube, more than 150,000 impressions on Facebook, and more than $150,000 in new revenue from sponsorships. Before that, Taína was Vice President, Strategy & Business Development at leading lobbyist firm Kasirer LLC. She also spent more than five years leading fundraising efforts for Teach For America-New York, where she served as Interim VP and Managing Director of Development. Taína started her career in the New York City press office of then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her work experience also includes a variety of roles in communications, external affairs, and government affairs at Hunter College, the New York City Department of Education under then-Mayor Bloomberg’s administration, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

A native New Yorker who grew up at the intersection of politics and media, Taína is a graduate of Princeton University (MPA), Hunter College (BA), and Baruch College Campus High School. She lives on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where she is an active member of her community. Taína is currently serving her second appointed term on Manhattan Community Board 8, where she co-chairs the Youth, Education & Libraries committee as well as the Rules & By-Laws Committee. She also serves on the executive committee of The Lexington Democratic Club which was the first Reform Club, serving as a model for the movement that came to dominate Democratic politics in Manhattan. Taína serves on the Board of the ERA Coalition and Fund for Women’s Equality.

Jeffry Pennock | Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Jeffry Pennock recently brought his 15 years’ of experience in political campaigns, government, and the nonprofit sector to the award-winning Hayes Initiative. Jeffry’s expertise across industries allows him to support THI’s wide range of high-profile cross-sector clients and bridge the gap between communications, government relations, and stakeholder management — overlapping buckets that often require multiple specialists. Jeffry manages daily client deliverables around media, communications, government relations, and community relations, providing a single point of contact, firsthand knowledge, and problem-solving.

Cecilia Rodriguez | Account Executive

Cecilia Rodriguez brings a decade of experience in the political and nonprofit spheres—including her expert knowledge of Spanish-language political communications— to her role as The Hayes Initiative account executive. At THI, she manages deliverables for many of the firm’s high-profile clients. Prior to THI, she served as Deputy Press Secretary for the New York Democratic Party (NYDP), where she worked to elect Governor Kathy Hochul, the first female Governor of New York. In that role, Cecilia was the primary contact for the Spanish language press corps, and placed Gov. Hochul’s first Spanish-language campaign interview on Telemundo. She placed similar interviews for NYDP spokespeople on Univision, AM NY, Buffalo News, and El Diario. During the campaign, Cecilia wrote press releases in both English and Spanish, and executed media events to define and reinforce the Governor’s and State Party’s agendas. Previously, she worked at the Democratic Governors Association, where she generated all the Spanish-language web content for former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and Pennsylvania Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro’s campaign websites, and also at EMILY’s List. She built both organizations’ Spanish-language capacities from the ground up. A passionate political communicator, Cecilia worked at ActBlue and the Office of Congressman Adam Schiff while an undergraduate at Tufts, and served as the president of the Tufts University Democrats.

Selden Tenzing

Selden Tenzing is a Junior at City College of New York pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. At THI, Selden supports corporate and non-profit clients on a broad range of communications and public affairs projects. Selden brings experience in community engagement, management, and fundraising to the THI team. She has managed up to 50 volunteers in the New York area for Key Club, an international service organization for high school students. Additionally, she organized events like the annual Flushing Meadows Corona Park Breast Cancer Walk and raised over $1,000 in multiple years for the St. Jude Memorial Foundation.