# Risa Heller

> Risa Heller is the founder and CEO of HELLER, a New York-based communications and public affairs consultancy with a Los Angeles office. After early roles with the Anti-Defamation League and Representative Jane Harman, she learned the machinery of political news as press secretary and communications director for Senator Chuck Schumer, later becoming communications director to New York Governor David Paterson. She founded her firm in 2010, according to a 2023 New York profile, and built a specialty in crisis, litigation, reputation, public affairs, and other high-pressure communications work.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at HELLER
- **Organizations:** HELLER, Risa Heller Communications, Global Strategy Group, Office of Governor David A. Paterson, Office of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, Office of U.S. Representative Jane Harman, Anti-Defamation League
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** A.B., double major in Psychology and Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies, University of Michigan, M.A. in Communications, Johns Hopkins University
- **Known for:** Founded and grew an independent communications and public affairs consultancy with offices in New York and Los Angeles., Named to Crain's New York Business 40 Under 40 list in 2014., Recognized by Chambers in its 2026 nationwide ranking for Litigation PR & Communications.

## Career timeline

- **2001** — Graduated from the University of Michigan and entered public affairs through an internship at the Anti-Defamation League's Washington office.
- **Early 2000s** — Worked for U.S. Representative Jane Harman before joining U.S. Senator Charles Schumer's press operation in New York.
- **2004-2007** — Served in Senator Schumer's communications operation, ultimately as communications director, chief media strategist, and senior spokesperson.
- **2007** — Left Schumer's office to become a senior vice president at Global Strategy Group.
- **2008-2009** — Served as communications director to New York Governor David A. Paterson during a turbulent period in state government.
- **2010** — Founded Risa Heller Communications in New York.
- **2011** — Handled the young firm's first major crisis assignment during Anthony Weiner's congressional scandal.
- **2014** — Named to Crain's New York Business 40 Under 40 list.
- **2022** — Advised former CNN president Jeff Zucker during his departure; a later profile reported she spent much of the first 72 hours working from his kitchen.
- **2024** — The firm opened a Los Angeles office led by Erika Masonhall, extending its media and entertainment practice.
- **2026** — Chambers ranked Heller in Band 4 for nationwide Litigation PR & Communications.

## Achievements

- Founded and grew an independent communications and public affairs consultancy with offices in New York and Los Angeles.
- Named to Crain's New York Business 40 Under 40 list in 2014.
- Recognized by Chambers in its 2026 nationwide ranking for Litigation PR & Communications.
- Led communications at senior levels for U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and New York Governor David A. Paterson.
- Observer ranked Risa Heller Communications tenth on its 2024 PR Power List.

## Latest updates

- **2026** — Chambers listed Risa Heller in Band 4 for nationwide Litigation PR & Communications.
- **2025-05** — The Daily Beast reported that Heller was advising Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson on the rollout of their book Original Sin.
- **2024-05** — Risa Heller Communications opened a Los Angeles office, led by former Netflix communications executive Erika Masonhall.
- **2024-03** — Observer placed Risa Heller Communications at number 10 on its 2024 PR Power List.

## Links

- Website: https://heller.inc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/risa-heller-61b22143

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/risa-heller
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22