Tracy Tress
Founder and Principal
Tracy Tress is an Albany-based lobbyist with 27 years of experience representing clients on health care, human services, cultural, labor, education, criminal justice and professional issues.
After a career as a registered nurse, she attended the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, then entered the lobbying field with a top-ten New York State firm. In that role, she managed the company’s health and human services portfolio.
Tracy launched Tress Capitol Advisors LLC in 2013 with the goal of providing clients with superior strategic guidance on political, policy and fiscal issues with first-rate client communication and incisive judgment. Clients also have access to the depth and quality of legislative, executive and agency relationships that she has built over two decades.
Tracy is a graduate of St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Amsterdam, New York; Siena College; and the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.
Kristen Murphy
managing director
Kristen began her legislative career as Chief of Staff to Assembly Member Kevin Cahill. During her six-year tenure, Cahill was Chair of the Energy and Insurance Committees.
She developed expertise in communications while working for Gramercy Communications in Troy, New York. Her work included leading integrated communications, grassroots and state-wide issue advocacy campaigns.
Kristen has spent several years working on electoral campaigns, primarily at the local level.
Kristen is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz.
Dan Leinung
Counsel and Senior Lobbyist
Dan Leinung brings over a decade of experience in state government to the team at Tress Capitol Advisors. He previously served as Senior Counsel with the New York State Senate Majority. In this position, Dan served as the principal budget and policy negotiator for health, mental health, substance abuse and insurance issues. Prior to the Senate, Dan worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Protection Bureau where he represented the Department of Environmental Conservation in litigation.
Dan received a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and his J.D. from Albany Law School.
Michelle Walsh
Associate Lobbyist
Michelle brings significant government relations experience as well as association management skills to the team.
As former Assistant Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Michelle lobbied and provided strategic guidance on a broad range of small business issues to over 40,000 members statewide. Her work resulted in more accessible health care for New York’s small business employees. Prior to that, Michelle was a graduate fellow with the New York State Senate, gaining first hand knowledge of the legislative process and experience in policy research. She is currently a trustee on the Bethlehem Public Library Board where she helps manage programs and services within a $4 million budget.
Michelle received her Master’s degree in International Relations from City College of New York and her Bachelor’s degree in the same field from American University in Washington, D.C.
Laura Darman
Of counsel
Laura Darman provides counsel, lobbying services and strategic advice to a range of clients at Tress Capitol Advisors (TCA). Laura joined TCA in November 2023 bringing two decades of legal, advocacy and management experience to the firm. Most recently, Laura served as the Executive Deputy Director of the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. In that role Laura led operations for the 500-person agency across 17 regional offices. Laura oversaw the agency’s 24/7 abuse and neglect hotline, investigatory, risk management and legal functions. In addition, Laura oversaw the development and implementation of the agency’s budget, the execution of communications and outreach strategy and the continuation of business process improvement across the entire agency. Laura is known for developing clear and effective solutions to complex problems. Prior to joining the Justice Center in August of 2014, Laura provided legal counsel and governmental relations assistance to a range of clients in private practice. Her work focused on the areas of health care, social services, mental health, insurance, housing and state budget advocacy. Ms. Darman began her career as an Appellate Court Attorney with the Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, and received her B.A. magna cum laude, from Russell Sage College and her J.D., cum laude, from Albany Law School. She lives in Kinderhook, NY with her husband and two daughters.
