February 2026 Alumni Spotlight

Debbie Esther Louis – Assistant Secretary Intergovernmental Affairs| Professor

Can you tell us about your various roles in government? Namely as Assistant Secretary of NYC Intergovernmental Affairs in the New York State Executive Chamber and as Chief of Staff for the New York State Assembly.
In my current role as Assistant Secretary for New York City Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) in the New York State Executive Chamber, I manage a team of seven and oversee a portfolio that supports the operations, political strategy, policy coordination, and relationship management functions of the Chamber. Our office works closely with New York City & State officials and across state government to ensure alignment and effective collaboration.

During my time in the Chamber, I have been promoted multiple times and recently passed my three-year anniversary, which reflects both my professional growth and the trust placed in me to take on increased responsibility. I regularly work across multiple departments and support all New York State agencies, helping to coordinate priorities and resolve intergovernmental issues. One accomplishment I’m especially proud of is hiring a current Baruch student onto my team, as mentorship and pipeline-building are important to me.

Previously, I served as Chief of Staff in the New York State Assembly, where I supported the day-to-day operations of a legislative office and helped manage strategy, communications, and internal processes. That role gave me a strong foundation in legislative work, leadership, and public service, and it continues to inform how I operate in the Executive Chamber today. I am very close to the Assembly member Brian Cunningham who was instrumental in helping me to navigate state agencies.

You earned both the Public Communications Certificate and your MPA in Policy Analysis and Evaluation at the Marxe School. How did your time at Marxe help your practical, everyday skills and upward mobility in your career?
My time at the Marxe School was instrumental in developing the practical skills I use every day in government. The MPA in Policy Analysis and Evaluation sharpened my ability to analyze complex policy issues, evaluate outcomes, and think strategically about how government decisions impact communities. These skills directly translate into my current work, where I balance policy, politics, and operations.

The Public Communications Certificate strengthened my ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse stakeholders—whether that’s drafting briefing materials, coordinating with elected officials, or managing sensitive intergovernmental relationships. Together, these programs gave me both the technical skill set and the confidence to take on greater responsibility, which has supported my career advancement and upward mobility in state government. I was also able to translate these skills to an internal training program that was created for a statewide intergovernmental training.

Did you have any favorite Marxe professors, classes, or lessons learned?
Two of my favorite professors were Professor Waisanen and Professor Felicia Arriaga. Their classes were challenging, practical, and deeply connected to real-world public service. They emphasized critical thinking, accountability, and effective leadership—lessons that continue to guide how I approach my work in government today. If you have professors that you want to hang out with outside of your program, that’s a clear indication of coolness. One day it will actually happen.