Paulina Banasiak Joins Kaufman Zita Group as Vice President

Kaufman Zita Group is pleased to announce that Paulina Banasiak has joined the KZG team as a Vice President. She will provide advocacy, strategic planning, and direct lobbying services to our clients.

Prior to joining KZG, Paulina served in the role of Director of Legislative Affairs as well as Acting Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Phil Murphy. Since the start of the administration, Paulina was involved in developing and advancing the Governor’s legislative policy priorities such as bills related to clean energy and environmental initiatives, gun violence prevention, economic tax incentives, online sports gaming and cannabis. Among other high-level responsibilities, Paulina was involved in crafting the Governor’s state budget proposal, preparing cabinet officials for confirmation and legislative committees, and the appointments process. She also served as the Governor’s appointee on the Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning.

Prior to joining the Murphy Administration, Paulina was the Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) and served as Director of Legislation for former Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen).

Paulina received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Montclair State University and her master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University.

In welcoming her to the firm, KZG Principal Trish Zita said, “Paulina is well known and well respected throughout the state of New Jersey and across the political spectrum. We believe her extensive experience in legislative affairs, her broad knowledge of state government, and her high-level relationships with key decision makers will be invaluable to our clients. We’re thrilled to have Paulina join us and bring her talent and expertise to our team!”