From the Statehouse to State Street
Shadaya Bennett, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, has been named vice president of government affairs at CZ Strategies, a Trenton lobbying firm launched earlier in 2026 by Christina Zuk, the New Jersey Globe reported.
Bennett steps into her new role with more than a decade of experience across state government, legislative policy, and advocacy. In her previous capacity with Speight, a Democrat representing Newark, Bennett managed district and legislative priorities focused on workforce development, criminal justice, and women’s health.
A Decade of Legislative Strategy
Before working in the Assembly, Bennett served as policy director for Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, also a Newark Democrat. During that tenure, she handled budget priorities and legislative initiatives, including efforts to broaden childcare access via the state’s Thriving by Three grant program.
Her resume also includes a stint as director of government relations for the New Jersey Hospital Association and senior legislative analyst duties for Advocates for Children of New Jersey.
Building the CZ Strategies Roster
“Shadaya is exactly the kind of talent I set out to build this firm around,” Zuk said, according to the New Jersey Globe. “She has the strategic mind and the relationships that clients look for in a senior advisor, and the versatility to deliver on any issue that walks through the door. Her arrival marks an important step in the growth of the firm.”
New Leadership Roots in Trenton
Zuk established her government affairs practice earlier this year after working as the director of legislative and political affairs at JNESO, a health care union representing over 5,000 medical technicians and nurses. Her background also includes staff positions in the New Jersey State Senate and on statewide political campaigns.
“I’ve spent my career working to turn good policy ideas into real outcomes for New Jersey families,” Bennett said.
