Vanessa E. Bongiorno - Farrell Fritz

Vanessa E. Bongiorno is a government relations advisor, representing clients before the executive and legislative branches of the New York state government. She primarily works with clients in the areas of healthcare, mental health, insurance, human services, professional licensure, higher education, and public safety.

Vanessa assists in the creation and development of key legislative initiatives, political strategies, issue-based coalitions, and grassroots advocacy campaigns to advance client interests. She has extensive experience in legislative and budgetary analysis, as well as policy advocacy.

Known and deeply respected by policymakers throughout New York state, Vanessa brings deep knowledge of state government to bear for firm clients. She ensures clients are aware of policy trends impacting their business and brings their matters to the attention of key decision makers to help facilitate resolution.

Before joining the Farrell Fritz, Vanessa was a senior vice president at a leading government relations firm in Albany, New York. Her experience also includes working as a senior legislative analyst at a New York City law firm for over nine years. Both roles established an impressive foundation for Vanessa’s work with the firm’s sophisticated clients.

Experience

On behalf of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State, helped to establish a new Department of Health Center of Excellence Program and implementation of a statewide education campaign on Advanced Care Planning.
On behalf of Autism Speaks, worked to improve and expand access to vital services and supports for individuals with autism.
On behalf of the Legal Services Access Alliance, helped civil legal services providers access over $35 million in annual state funding to assist with eviction legal defense services.
On behalf of patients and families, works to achieve insurance coverage for genetic testing and innovative medical therapies, particularly for cancer, rare diseases, mental health and substance use disorder treatments.
On behalf of the New York State Ophthalmological Society, helped to obtain State approval for the use of medical assistants in the administration of eye drops in professional offices. Also works to advance legislation to streamline the insurance prior authorization process to help patients access needed treatments.

Community Work

Board of Susan Odell Taylor School, Parent Representative
Children’s Plaza at the Plaza, Board Member

Recognition

City & State New York, Who’s Who in Government Relations, 2023-2024