Secretary of State Rossana Rosado
Rossana Rosado was appointed New York State Secretary of State on February 3, 2016 and unanimously confirmed by the State Senate on June 15, 2016. Her leadership has helped make the Department of State one of the most dynamic agencies in State government.
As Secretary of State
From serving as the first woman Editor and Publisher of the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the country, to championing prisoner re-entry initiatives, to working as an award-winning producer, Rossana Rosado brings a unique depth and diversity of experience to her role as New York Secretary of State.
Throughout her time as Secretary, Rossana Rosado has led the department through a modern restructuring, including the implementation of innovative local government and professional licensing programs. Secretary Rosado has also ushered in improved and responsive services for immigrant New Yorkers and overseen the launch of the state’s foray into Mixed Martial Arts via the New York State Athletic Commission.
In 2017, the Secretary implemented Governor Cuomo’s County Wide Shared Services Initiative, which led to the submission of 34 specific county plans in its first year. The result so far: nearly 400 projects with more than $200 million in projected taxpayer savings.
Through the Office for New Americans, the Secretary launched Governor Cuomo’s Liberty Defense Project, a public-private initiative to bring critical legal services to immigrants, regardless of status.
Secretary Rosado also chairs an effort between the Department of State, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the State Education Department to re-establish and expand the Barbering Program for incarcerated individuals. This important initiative eases the complex re-entry transition by providing education, job skills and the opportunity for state occupational licensure prior to release.
Committed to the agency’s economic planning and development mission, Secretary Rosado also spearheads the Strategic Assessment Implementation Team, a multi-agency review of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) competition, helping to inform the state’s capital investments.
As Publisher and CEO of a Newspaper
Secretary Rosado served as Publisher & CEO of El Diario La Prensa for 18 years, overseeing more than $22 million in annual revenue. In the editorial pages, she advocated for women’s empowerment, re-entry and reintegration of individuals returning to society from prison, fairer and more humane immigration policies and many other issues affecting a wide array of New Yorkers. Through her leadership and voice, she established the paper as a leading entity for social and economic justice. During her 30-year media career, Secretary Rosado earned an Emmy Award, a STAR Award from the NY Women's Agenda, and a Peabody Award for Journalism.
Beyond the Department of State
Secretary Rosado is an accomplished public servant. She served on the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2012 to 2015 and was reappointed in 2017. Secretary Rosado was a Distinguished Lecturer at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice prior to joining Governor Cuomo’s Administration, and has been a member of the College's Foundation Board of Trustees since 2012. She has served as an advisor to elected officials on their transition teams at the highest levels in New York City and State governments.
Spotlight on Re-Entry and Reintegration
Secretary Rosado has been personally involved in issues with respect to prisoner re-entry. Alongside Professor Anthony Thompson (NYU Law), Secretary Rosado co-chairs Governor Cuomo's Council on Community Re-entry and Reintegration of New Yorkers returning from prison. She also served on Governor David Paterson's Task Force on Juvenile Justice and taught at Sing Sing and Otisville Correctional Facilities in New York State.
Education and Personal Life
A native New Yorker, Secretary Rosado received her B.A in Journalism from Pace University and a Master in Criminal Justice from CUNY John J. College. Recently, she was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters from Pace University.
She resides in Westchester County with her husband and two children.