Ben Fikhman ’23

Overview

Community Liaison, Office of New York City Councilmember Kayla Santosuosso
Brooklyn, NY

• BA, Political Science, Vassar College

Ben Fikhman (he/him) is a Community Liaison for New York City Councilwoman Kayla Santosuosso, who represents the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Coney Island, Seagate, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Bay Ridge, where he was born and raised. Ben takes on a blend of responsibilities for the district office, including constituent services, community outreach, and public policy work to serve the residents of Council District 47. Immediately prior to his work in local government, Ben worked as the Field Director for Santosuosso’s 2025 campaign for the City Council district in an open-seat election. He helped propel the candidate towards a 19-point victory in one of New York’s most closely watched Council races, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers in the process while leading a district-wide persuasion and turnout operation emphasizing local issues of affordability, livability, and safety. Ben also worked as a Regional Mobilization Manager in Waukesha County, Wisconsin for the Harris-Walz 2024 Coordinated campaign, leading a team of organizers to expand upon the presidential candidate’s margins in the county from 2020, bucking statewide trends.

Advice to Students: 

Say yes to more events. Seek out conversations with new people, even if their story seems a little too tangential to your desired path. Ask more questions in the classroom and workspace. Practice kindness and active listening, and always try to understand another person’s perspective while connecting on good faith. Do not cut corners. Do not equate ambition with opportunism; make sure to be bullish about your passions while remaining true to your convictions.