Albany Government Relations Veteran Named One of Nation’s Top Lobbyists
Albany, NY — October 23, 2025 — The National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE) has named Denise Murphy McGraw, Partner at the stalwart Albany-based government affairs firm Hill, Gosdeck, McGraw & Nemeth, one of the Top 100 Lobbyists in the United States for 2025.
The national honor recognizes just 100 professionals out of nearly 50,000 registered lobbyists nationwide for their excellence, integrity, and impact in the field of government relations. This year’s competition drew more than 550 nominations from across the country—highlighting the very best in advocacy, grassroots engagement, and political action leadership.
The Top Lobbyist Awards, presented annually by NILE, are the only honors in the lobbying profession that are peer-nominated and blindly judged—meaning evaluators see only the work, not the name, of each nominee. Winners are selected solely based on professional impact, leadership, and adherence to the highest ethical standards.
“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized by a national organization that not only lifts up the advocacy profession and our successes, but also puts a premium on ethical lobbying,” McGraw said. “The lobbying and government affairs profession is vital to the democratic process because it gives voice to those who build, create, and care for our communities—from construction contractors and manufacturers to mental health providers and arts organizations. Democracy works best when everyone has a seat at the table.”
McGraw, a veteran of New York’s public-policy and government-relations community, has long been recognized for her leadership in policy, advocacy, and civic engagement. In addition to her work at Hill, Gosdeck, McGraw & Nemeth, she serves as National Co-Chair of Catholics Vote Common Good and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Irish American Heritage Museum. She also serves as the campaign manager for Dorcey Applyrs for Albany Mayor.
https://www.lobbyinginstitute.com/post/accepting-2025-top-lobbyist-nominations
About the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE):
The National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics is the premier national organization dedicated to promoting ethical lobbying, government relations, and advocacy practices in the United States. Its annual Top Lobbyist Awards honor individuals who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, integrity, and dedication to ethical public-policy engagement.
Learn more at www.lobbyinginstitute.com.
