(Albany, NY) January 5, 2026 – Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs today announced five new administration appointments as she continues to build out her City Hall team that will focus on realizing her vision for effective, inclusive municipal government. 

These appointees are a mix of new hires and current City Hall staff who will be staying on to continue serving the people of Albany in the Applyrs administration. They are:

• Robert Gertler, Director of Digital and Community Communications
• Liz Mariapen, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
• Nyla McKenzie-Isaac, Director of Marketing and Brand Experience 
• Elaine Dimase, Executive Assistant to the Mayor
• Anne Pitlyk, Constituent Services Assistant

“We continue to assemble a talented and dedicated team whose members will bring both institutional knowledge and fresh ideas to City Hall,” Mayor Applyrs said. “Elaine, Anne, and Nyla have proven their dedication to serving the people of Albany, and I appreciate their willingness to continue to do this work. Robert brought exceptional visual and storytelling skills to my campaign and transition, and I look forward to seeing his creativity shine in this new role. And I welcome Liz, a seasoned political professional, whose skills will further enhance an already strong team. Let’s get to work!” 

Robert Gertler brings more than 17 years of experience across film, media, arts, and strategic communications to the Applyrs administration. Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, Gertler built his early career working throughout New York City and the Northeast. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his wife relocated to the Albany area.

Gertler served as a creative communications consultant for Juan Figueroa’s successful 2018 Ulster County Sheriff campaign, helping elect the state’s first Latino sheriff, and supported Shani Curry Mitchell’s 2019 Monroe County District Attorney run.

In 2020 and 2022, Gertler produced strategic content and ads for state Sen. Samra Brouk’s campaigns. Most recently, he led content and digital strategy for Mayor-elect Applyrs’s campaign, reshaping digital communications, producing ads, and developing voter materials.

Liz Mariapen is a dedicated leader with a strong track record of driving meaningful change across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. With a passion for civic engagement and a deep commitment to equity, she has consistently leveraged her expertise to foster collaboration, mobilize communities, and communicate impactful policies effectively and with intention.

As the Partnerships & Groups Director for the 2024 Harris-Walz presidential campaign, Mariapen built and managed relationships with community organizations, advocacy groups, and political entities to expand the campaign's reach, mobilize resources, and connect with diverse audiences. 

Previously, she served as a Senior Advisor for Strategic Outreach in the White House under the Biden-Harris Administration, where she worked on programs supporting political organizations and leaders with a focus on engaging Black and Latino communities. Mariapen has also held leadership roles at the Peace Corps and the Democratic National Committee, managing strategic initiatives and modernizing operations. Her passion for public service began with AmeriCorps, where she served as a corps member with City Year Chicago.

Mariapen is a first-generation Guyanese American and a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She holds a BA in English from Union College and an MPA from American University.

Nyla McKenzie-Isaac is a Brooklyn native and 2021 SUNY graduate. She was the City of Albany’s first Director of Marketing. Known for her ability to pair strategic marketing with strong visual and narrative storytelling, McKenzie-Isaac began her career at the Albany Symphony before joining former Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s administration as a Special Projects Coordinator. Within three months, her work led to the creation of the Director of Marketing role.

During the Sheehan administration, McKenzie-Isaac designed and implemented the City’s first centralized communications strategy, coordinating branding, messaging, and content across more than 20 departments and major initiatives. Her work included leading citywide campaigns, shaping the Mayor’s State of the City and Farewell address, and advancing community-centered storytelling that made City services, policy, and investment more accessible to residents. Through a blend of strategic planning, creative direction, and event production, she helped modernize how Albany communicates with and engages its community.

Elaine Dimase brings decades of experience, institutional knowledge, and steady leadership to her role as Executive Assistant to the Mayor. She began her career in public service as an Economic Development Professional in the City's Department of Economic Development and then worked as an Analyst in the Office of Audit and Control before transferring to her current role in the Mayor's Office.

Dimase earned a BA in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross and an MA in Public Affairs and Policy from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany. A lifelong Albany resident, avid runner, and mother of three, she resides in the Crestwood neighborhood.

Anne Pitlyk was born and raised in Albany and loves living and working in the city. In 2023, after over 10 years of experience working in public libraries, she made the move to city service. Pitlyk holds a BA in History with a minor in Film Studies from the University of Rochester. She is excited to continue her work as a member of the Applyrs administration to continue serving the people of Albany.