Mary A. Paterson—COO
Transformative Leader in Media, Philanthropy, and Strategic Innovation
Mary A. Paterson is a dynamic executive whose distinguished career spans media, philanthropy, wealth strategy, and community transformation. Renowned for her ability to forge high-impact partnerships and deliver lasting results, she has driven growth and mission advancement across corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors.
Strategic Executive Leadership
As Chief Operating Officer of DAP Strategies, Ms. Paterson channels the insights of former New York Governor David Paterson into high-impact initiatives that shape public discourse, legacy preservation, and institutional transformation. Her leadership exemplifies a rare blend of strategic communication, operational precision, and visionary foresight.
Wealth Strategy & Philanthropy
In her role as Senior Relationship Manager and Head of Philanthropy at Rockefeller Capital Management’s Moldaver Lee Group, she advised ultra-high-net-worth individuals on complex legacy planning and philanthropic strategy. With FINRA Series 7 and 63 certifications, she delivered expert financial stewardship with a deeply human touch.
Public Safety Innovation
During her tenure as Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Strategist of The Guardian Angels, Ms. Paterson transformed the grassroots safety group into a globally recognized organization. She spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives which included the CyberAngels Internet safety program, earning accolades such as the President’s Service Award from President's Bill Clinton, The Daily Point of Light Award in George H.W. Bush's Points of Light Foundation, and the “Key to the City” from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Media and Communications Excellence
Ms. Paterson began her career in media with executive roles at WPAT Radio, WRKS Radio, WPLJ Radio, CNN and Capital Cities/WABC Radio where she was awarded the prestigious Capital Cities “Circle of Excellence Award.” Also at WABC, she led award-winning strategies in marketing and client development, broke all sales records and created and was the executive producer of The Home Talk Show, which became a top-ranked program in the New York radio market.
Creative Entrepreneurship
As founder of Dear Mary, a design venture blending style with cultural storytelling, Ms. Paterson created the Knock Wood™ ring—transforming superstition into a fashionable conversation piece. Her entrepreneurial endeavors reflect her uncanny ability to spot cultural trends and convert them into innovative brands.
Thought Leadership & Education
Ms. Paterson holds graduate certificates in Media Management (Wharton) and Public Relations (Sterling Institute), and a psychology honor (Psi Chi) from Fordham University. A graduate of William Paterson University with a degree in special education, she has also served as a guest lecturer at NYU, where she shared insights on media dynamics, leadership, and civic innovation.
Philosophy of Impact
Across every chapter of her multifaceted career, Mary Paterson has led with grace, vision, and resolve. Her leadership is defined not just by results, but by the communities she empowers, the institutions she strengthens, and the futures she helps to shape.
Tracy Peay—Executive Administrative Assistant to the Governor.
A dynamic and strategic leader with a proven track record in executive operations, project management, and community engagement. Known for driving high-impact initiatives and cultivating meaningful collaborations, with a deep commitment to public service, governance, and social equity.
As a senior liaison to Governor David Paterson, played a pivotal role in bridging state leadership and the Harlem community—shaping policy discussions, strengthening government-community partnerships, and ensuring the successful execution of programs with lasting impact. Skilled in managing complex stakeholder relationships, leading cross-sector collaborations, and directing high-level projects from concept to completion.
Experience includes academic contributions as a teaching assistant and course developer, with a focus on governance, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. Adept in contract negotiation and development, having secured key institutional partnerships that advanced mission-driven objectives.
Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Health Administration, with a concentration in leadership, policy reform, and innovative healthcare delivery. Passionate about leveraging a multifaceted background across government, academia, and administration to drive systemic change, promote equity, and deliver transformative outcomes for communities and organizations alike.
Sean Darcy—Public Relations
Sean Darcy is the owner and founder of Round World Consulting, a nationally-recognized public relations and consulting firm. Round World Consulting has maintained strong partnerships with a number of public and private sector clients, including the New Jersey State PBA and LiUNA Eastern Region and has been the “go-to” firm for winning campaigns on the local, county, state, and federal levels since its inception in 2010.
Round World Consulting has maintained long-standing relationships with trailblazing Democratic leaders like Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Bill Pascrell, former Democratic State Chair and current Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, State Senator and former New Jersey Democratic State Chair Joe Cryan, former New Jersey Democratic State Chair John Currie, and current New Jersey Democratic State Chair Leroy Jones, while working a wide array of officeholders on all levels of government.
Darcy and Round World Consulting have also been pivotal partners in successfully coordinating and implementing strategy for public questions and ballot initiatives.
Prior to forming Round World Consulting, Darcy worked on the senior teams for New Jersey Governors James E. McGreevey, Richard J. Codey and Jon S. Corzine.
Darcy has worked closely with New York State’s 55th Governor, David A. Paterson, since the former governor left office in 2010. What was once meant to be a short-term professional engagement quickly evolved into a long-term partnership and true friendship, along with the mutual recognition that every year may just be the Mets’ year.
Dr. Simon E. Mills—Tech ops | media | web | writing | production | musical director.
Simon Mills is a New York–based polymath whose career spans nearly four decades across an extraordinary range of disciplines, including music, entrepreneurship, advertising, technology, investment banking, real estate, software, and literature.
In 1990, Mills co-founded London Music Group (LMG), which rose to become Australia's premier commercial music production house. Under his leadership, LMG garnered numerous accolades, including the World’s Best Jingle at the International Broadcasting Awards in Hollywood in 2003.
After relocating to New York City in 2005 with his wife and three children, Mills expanded LMG Digital Media USA, securing high-profile clients such as Hyatt, AIG, BBDO, CBS, Starbucks, Pepsi, and The Economist. His ventures extended beyond music into real estate development, digital innovation, and publishing.
In 2009, Mills partnered with CBS Television to launch Locate Real Estate, an embeddable real estate portal that consolidated every MLS in the United States into a unified platform—placing CBS at the center of real estate transactions nationwide.
In 2018, he acquired and revitalized Zentyal™, a Linux-based server operating system designed for enterprise-level IT environments.
In 2019, Mills co-founded Ignition Capital, a boutique investment bank, alongside a former Bloomberg CFO. He has since helped raise capital and provide strategic support for a diverse portfolio of companies, beginning with Kevin Costner’s HearHere® (now Autio®), a geo-triggered travel storytelling app, and continuing with multiple ventures in media, education, and AI.
A skilled communicator in both visual and written media, Mills has served as a documentary film producer and Storyteller-in-Residence at McGraw Hill Education. He is the author of more than 70 books, spanning genres such as children’s literature, systems engineering, business strategy, biographies, how-to guides, and murder mystery novels.
At his core, Mills is a storyteller. Whether building businesses, writing books, or advising executives, his through-line is a passion for crafting meaningful narratives and driving transformation through communication, innovation, and insight.