Shadaya Bennett joins Zuk’s growing lobbying firm

Christina Zuk has brought on Shadaya Bennett, the chief of staff to Assemblywoman Shanique Speight (D-Newark), as vice president of government affairs at her Trenton lobbying firm.

Bennett joins CZ Strategies with more than a decade of experience in state government, legislative policy, and advocacy.

Zuk, a longtime Trenton lobbyist, launched her own firm in early 2026.

“Shadaya is exactly the kind of talent I set out to build this firm around,” Zuk said. “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.”

As Speight’s chief of staff, Bennett oversaw legislative and district priorities involving women’s health, criminal justice and workforce development.  She previously served as policy director to Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark), managing legislative initiatives and budget priorities, including efforts to expand childcare access through the state’s Thriving by Three grant program.

Bennett also served as director of government relations for the New Jersey Hospital Association and as a senior legislative analyst for Advocates for Children of New Jersey.

“I’ve spent my career working to turn good policy ideas into real outcomes for New Jersey families,” she said.

Zuk entered the government affairs business after serving as director of legislative and political affairs at JNESO, a health care union that represented over 5,000 nurses and medical technicians.  She also held staff posts in the New Jersey State Senate, and on statewide political campaigns.