Jovan C. Richards is an Entertainment, Political, and Hospitality Professional. He specializes in government relations, communications, political consulting, non-profit advocacy and volunteerism, and the art of mixology.
Jovan currently serves as the Media & Government Relations Manager for the NYS Society of CPAs; the President for the NYS Young Democrats; the Executive Director for the Westchester County Democratic Committee; the Vice President of Operation Prom National Network; and the Chair of the Association of Chartered Unit Presidents (ACUP) for the Young Democrats of America.
Before becoming active in politics, Jovan spent a majority of his time dedicated to the arts. He has performed all over the world, including in the United Kingdom.
Jovan also has an extensive career in the radio, film, and television industries. He has worked in front of and behind the camera for commercials, films, and sitcoms. Jovan has hosted numerous radio talk shows and podcasts throughout the New York Metro area.
Jovan has worked with or been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, the New York Post, City & State New York, Spectrum News, Broadway World, the Journal News (LoHud.com), News 12 Westchester, News 12 Long Island, Fios 1 News Hudson Valley, Patch.com, WVOX-AM, WVIP-FM, Westchester Radio, Westchester Talk Radio, and Public Access Channels throughout the Hudson Valley.
Outside of Jovan’s work in politics and the arts, Jovan is a Mixology Expert and a training Sommelier. He has had the honor of working with spirit brands such as Bulliet Bourbon, Tres Agaves Tequila, Goslings Rum, Shipwreck Rum, and White Girl Rosé. He has also designed cocktail menus for places like Yankee Stadium, the Prudential Center, and Hilton Hotels.
Jovan studied Film and Video at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York.
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Jared Goerke brings years of hands-on experience and a steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and grassroots leadership. With a strong background in campaign finance, he has served as treasurer for dozens of candidate and political committees across New York State—bringing a detail-oriented and financially sound approach that supports both compliance and strategic growth.
Jared holds an M.A. in Public Administration from St. John’s University, where he focused on responsible fiscal governance and effective governmental operations. He previously worked for several years in the New York State Assembly, serving under Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine, where he gained a deep understanding of state-level policymaking and constituent service.
Beyond campaign work, Jared serves as the Fund Coordinator for the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund, helping further its mission of providing camp scholarships to at-risk youth in honor of Scott’s legacy. He also contributes to his local community in a non-partisan role as an elected member of the Board of Education in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District, where he promotes public education and responsible district growth.
As NYSYD’s former Jewish Caucus Chair, Jared was a vocal advocate against antisemitism and worked to amplify Jewish voices within the Democratic Party, fostering inclusion, representation, and solidarity across communities.
Now, as Treasurer of the New York State Young Democrats, Jared is proud to bring his technical expertise, commitment to service, and passion for progressive change to empower young Democratic leaders across the state. He is especially passionate about helping young candidates run smarter, more transparent campaigns—and believes that building organizational strength begins with good data, fiscal clarity, and inclusive leadership.
If you’re a young Democrat and think there’s any way I can support your work, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to help.
Naishaly Vélez Galán is currently the Secretary for NYSYD. They recently graduated the University at Albany with Bachelors of Arts in Theater and Sociology.
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After being elected in May 2025, Manik Elahi serves as the Capital Region Vice President. In this role, he leads the organizational outreach of NYSYD to AAPI communities.
As an immigrant, the value of effective representation in the governmental and political process is a core value in his work. Manik truly believes that the Democratic Party can institutionally deliver sustainable and effective solutions to the issues of the working people of this country.
Professionally, Manik serves as Outreach Manager to U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), where he spearheads the external and community relations for the Congressman. Prior to this, Manik served in various public service roles at the New York State Senate, Office of Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, and the State University of New York.
Manik is a proud product of public higher education, being an alumnus of the University at Albany, and Hudson Valley Community College.
Colton was born and raised in Central New York. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, and his Master of Public Policy from American University. He’s also currently working toward his Master of Science for Teachers in Childhood Education from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Colton has been involved in politics and policy since middle school when he advocated for greater funding for public schools. Since then, Colton has worked with lawmakers in Washington, DC to support the interests of Central New York and New York State as a whole. He also worked in climate education and advocacy with the Climate Reality Project, where he supported programs that empowered local leaders across the globe to help implement climate friendly projects and policies in their own communities. Colton is passionate about making space for young people in the rooms where decisions are made, advocating for greater youth involvement in local committees and supporting the election of young leaders to local, state, and federal offices.
If you can’t find Colton knocking doors, you’ll find him passionately teaching his elementary students or traveling the world.
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Zak Constantine was raised in Orange County and is a proud graduate of Goshen Central High School, where he was the President of the State Championship winning Mock Trial Team, a member of the Varsity Cross Country Team, and the Student Representative to the Board of Education. Currently, he is finishing his studies in Public Policy and Management at SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs. Throughout his schooling, Zak has lived and worked full time in Orange County–focusing on community development and activism.
Zak is the President of the Young Democrats of Orange County and a Vice-Chair of the Orange County Democratic Committee. Previously Zak served as Community Outreach Coordinator to NYS Senator Jen Metzger, where he oversaw her office’s robust events and awards programs while specializing in connecting constituents, organizations, and community leaders with their representative in Albany. He served as her Deputy Campaign Manager for her 2020 re-election campaign, and he has also managed several county-wide and local campaigns throughout the Hudson Valley. Currently, Zak serves as a strategic advisor to candidates and organizations that seek to uplift and empower the working families of New York State. His true passion is helping his fellow young leaders find a passion for public service. Keeping with his commitment to our next generation of leaders, Zak served as a Project Manager for the Leadership Orange Class of 2021’s class project, where they developed the Larkin Family Young Professionals Program. He currently serves on their advisory committee.
In his free time, Zak is an avid hiker, runner, cyclist, and coffee enthusiast who frequently enjoys exploring new corners of the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions. You can follow his travels on Instagram @zakconstantine; or reach him by email at zmconstantine@gmail.com.
Robert Drumm is a member of the Herkimer County Young Democrats. He is an election expert and advocate for Democratic issues in rural communities.
Reed ‘RC’ Cleland is a lifelong Upstater, with roots in the Village of Homer since 2005. He was first exposed to politics as a junior in high school, when the Homer American Legion Post 465 nominated him as a delegate to New York Boys’ State 2017. As a senior, he gained early hands-on experience in local government after interning for then-Clerk of the Legislature, Eric Mulvihill, and working in the office of then-Mayor of the City of Cortland, Brian Tobin. After graduating from Homer Central Schools in 2018, Reed earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, where he received summa cum laude with Honors Distinction.
Since graduating from Colgate in 2022, Reed is happy to have returned to Cortland County, a region he envisions as his lifelong home. He works as a full-time Substitute Teacher for Homer Central Schools, and he is the Club Advisor to Homer High School’s Shakespearean & Thespian Society, where he directs two theatrical productions per year. He is a Co-Chair of the Cortland County Youth Board, works as an academic tutor for CNY Tutoring, and volunteers with the Cortland County Democratic Committee and the Cortland County League of Women Voters. In moments of spare time, he can be found performing with the Center Players or enjoying long walks around the village with Gia and Phoebe.
Kathleen, who also goes by Kat, started her journey in politics in 2017, working on a Judicial re-election Campaign for Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo-Torres, the first Latina to serve on the Buffalo City Court bench appointed by Mayor Byron W. Brown. During her time in politics, Kathleen has worked on numerous political campaigns in Western New York at the Federal, State, and Local level. As a political staffer, she has worked for New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer. She is now a Senior Associate at Bolton St. Johns LLC.
Kathleen was raised in Syosset, NY, and is a graduate of the University at Buffalo. She is the WNY VP of the New York State Young Democrats and serves on the Eleanor’s Legacy Innovation Council.
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