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Created page with "{{Short description|American political aide}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Melissa DeRosa | image = Melissa DeRosa Chanel Dinner.jpg | alt = Melissa DeRosa | office = Secretary to the Governor of New York | governor = Andrew Cuomo | term_start = April 17, 2017 | term_end = August 24, 2021 | predecessor = William Mulrow | successor = Kare..."

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{{Short description|American political aide}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Melissa DeRosa
| image = Melissa DeRosa Chanel Dinner.jpg
| alt = Melissa DeRosa
| office = Secretary to the [[Governor of New York]]
| governor = [[Andrew Cuomo]]
| term_start = April 17, 2017
| term_end = August 24, 2021
| predecessor = William Mulrow
| successor = [[Karen Persichilli Keogh]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|9|29}}
| birth_place = [[Rochester, New York]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Matthew Wing|2016|2021|end=div}}
| education = [[Cornell University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Master of Public Administration|MPA]])
}}
'''Melissa DeRosa''' (born September 29, 1982) is an American former government official from the [[New York (state)|state of New York]]<ref name="La Ferla 2020">{{Cite news|last=La Ferla|first=Ruth|date=2020-05-14|title=Who Can Say 'No' to Cuomo? His Top Aide, Melissa DeRosa|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/who-is-melissa-derosa.html|access-date=2021-08-06|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>, a Democratic strategist<ref>{{Cite web |title=Melissa DeRosa {{!}} CALS |url=https://cals.cornell.edu/melissa-derosa |access-date=2026-06-18 |website=cals.cornell.edu |language=en}}</ref> and a published author.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeRosa |first=Melissa |date=2025-03-21 |title=Melissa DeRosa |url=https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/melissa-derosa/ |access-date=2026-06-18 |website=Hachette Book Group |language=en-US}}</ref> She served as secretary to the former [[governor of New York]], [[Andrew Cuomo]], from 2017 until 2021. She was described by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as the "most powerful appointed official" in the state as well as being the first woman appointed to the role.

==Early life and education==
DeRosa was born on September 29, 1982, in [[Rochester, N.Y.]] and raised in [[Albany, New York|Albany]] and [[Saratoga Springs, New York]] and has two siblings.<ref>{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date= |title=Melissa DeRosa |url=https://goodnesshero.com/profile/melissa-derosa/ |access-date=22 March 2026 |work=Goodness Hero}}</ref><ref name="Salerno 20182">{{cite news |last1=Salerno |first1=Heather |date=March 2018 |title=Corridors of Power |url=http://cornellalumnimagazine.com/corridors-of-power/ |access-date=6 August 2021 |work=Cornell Alumni Magazine}}</ref><ref name="La Ferla 2020" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chodak |first1=Adam |date=30 November 2023 |title=New book by Cuomo key aide tells her story |url=https://www.rochesterfirst.com/adam-interviews/new-book-by-cuomo-key-aide-lashes-out-at-critics-melissa-derosa/ |access-date=5 December 2023 |work=RochesterFirst}}</ref> She is the daughter of Melody DeRosa, a retired education technology consultant for [[Texas Instruments]], and Giorgio DeRosa, a senior partner at the Albany lobbying firm Bolton-St. Johns.<ref name="Foderaro 2017" /><ref>{{cite web |date=November 18, 2024 |title=The 2024 Top 50 State Lobbyists |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/2024/11/2024-top-50-state-lobbyists/400834/ |access-date=June 18, 2026 |website=City & State New York}}</ref> DeRosa's brother and sister also work at Bolton-St. Johns.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 26, 2020 |title=Cuomo gave immunity to nursing home executives after big campaign donations |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/26/andrew-cuomo-nursing-home-execs-immunity |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

At 16, DeRosa was an intern for the political director of the New York State [[AFL-CIO]].<ref name="Foderaro 2017" /><ref name="Kaplan 2013">{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Thomas |title=Cuomo Drafts Communications Director From Attorney General's Staff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/16/nyregion/cuomo-hires-melissa-derosa-from-attorney-generals-staff.html |access-date=6 August 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=March 15, 2013}}</ref>

DeRosa attended the private school, [[Albany Academy for Girls]], graduating in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news10.com/news/cuomo-under-fire/melissa-derosas-rise-to-top-aide-and-how-her-appointment-made-history/|title=Melissa DeRosa's rise to top aide and how her appointment made history|date=August 9, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Photos-Albany-Academy-for-Girls-commencement-12984680.php|title=Photos: Albany Academy for Girls commencement|date=June 18, 2018|website=Times Union}}</ref> She graduated in 2004 from the [[Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations]]. While an undergraduate student at Cornell, she worked in the Senate office of [[Hillary Clinton]] in Washington, D.C. during a summer.<ref name="Oza 2020">{{cite news |last1=Oza |first1=Anil |title=From Ithaca to Albany: How Cornell's Melissa DeRosa is Leading New York's COVID Response |url=https://cornellsun.com/2020/04/30/from-ithaca-to-albany-how-cornells-melissa-derosa-is-leading-new-yorks-covid-response/ |access-date=7 August 2021 |work=The Cornell Daily Sun |date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

DeRosa worked for a year as a publicist for [[Theory (clothing retailer)|Theory]], a fashion house in New York.<ref name="La Ferla 2020" /> She then worked as a lobbyist for Bolton-St. Johns.<ref name="La Ferla 2020" /> She later worked in the press office of Congresswoman [[Nydia Velázquez]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Paybarah |first=Azi |title=DeRosa to Organize for America |url=https://observer.com/2009/07/derosa-to-organize-for-america/ |work=Observer |date=July 22, 2009 |access-date=June 18, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Campbell |first=Jon |title=Cuomo's right hand: Melissa DeRosa unapologetically fierce |url=https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/new-york/2019/06/03/cuomos-right-hand-melissa-derosa-unapologetically-fierce/1302725001/ |work=Poughkeepsie Journal |date=June 3, 2019 |access-date=June 18, 2026}}</ref> In 2009, she completed an [[Master of public administration|MPA]] from the [[Cornell Institute for Public Affairs]].<ref name="Oza 2020" />

==Career==
DeRosa worked as Director of Communications and Legislation for the Albany-based lobbying firm Cordo & Company.<ref name="Kaplan 2013" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://observer.com/2009/07/derosa-to-organize-for-america-3/|title=DeRosa to Organize for America|website=[[The New York Observer]] |date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> From 2009 to 2011, DeRosa was the New York State Director of [[Organizing for America]], a project of the [[Democratic National Committee]] founded after the [[First inauguration of Barack Obama|presidential inauguration of Barack Obama]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://observer.com/2009/07/derosa-to-organize-for-america-3/|title=DeRosa to Organize for America|website=[[The New York Observer]] |date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> In 2011, DeRosa became deputy chief of staff and later acting chief of staff for [[New York State Attorney General]] [[Eric Schneiderman]].<ref name="Foderaro 2017" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Matthew |title=Melissa DeRosa takes over for Bill Mulrow as Cuomo's secretary |url=https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Melissa-DeRosa-takes-over-for-Bill-Mulrow-as-11079447.php |work=Times Union |date=April 17, 2017 |access-date=June 18, 2026}}</ref>

In March 2013, she became Director of Communications for Governor [[Andrew Cuomo]].<ref name="Dawsey 2021"/><ref name="Kaplan 2013" /><ref name="Banjo 2021">{{cite news |last1=Banjo |first1=Shelly |last2=Goldman |first2=Henry |title=Cuomo's Top Aide Defends Her Boss and Herself: 'I'm a Human Being' |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-25/cuomo-s-top-aide-defends-boss-herself-i-m-a-human-being |access-date=8 December 2021 |work=Bloomberg |date=March 25, 2021}}</ref> DeRosa later became strategic adviser.<ref name="Foderaro 2017"/> In 2015, DeRosa was appointed Chief of Staff.<ref name="Foderaro 2017">{{cite news |last1=Foderaro |first1=Lisa W. |title=Cuomo Promotes Chief of Staff, Melissa DeRosa, to Be His Secretary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/17/nyregion/cuomo-promotes-chief-of-staff-melissa-derosa-to-be-his-secretary.html |access-date=6 August 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=April 17, 2017}}</ref> In 2020, DeRosa was appointed to serve on the transition committee to President-Elect [[Joe Biden]], serving as senior advisor to [[Steve Ricchetti]], the White House's incoming counselor and helping to assist the incoming administration's COVID response.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2021/01/15/cuomo-top-aide-melissa-derosa-assisting-biden-transition-team-on-covid-response/|title=Cuomo top aide, Melissa DeRosa assisting Biden transition team on COVID response|website=[[New York Daily News]] |date=January 15, 2021}}</ref>

===Secretary to Governor Cuomo===
In 2017, DeRosa was promoted to [[Secretary to the Governor of New York]], and became Cuomo's top aide and one of his closest advisers.<ref name="Dawsey 2021"/><ref name="Vilensky 2017">{{cite news |last1=Vilensky |first1=Mike |title=New York's First Female Secretary to the Governor Faces Ethical Minefield; Melissa DeRosa will have to be vigilant, as her husband and father's jobs could present challenges |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-yorks-first-female-secretary-to-the-governor-faces-ethical-minefield-1492693202 |access-date=6 August 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 20, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Lovett 2021">{{Cite web|last=Lovett|first=Kenneth|title=Melissa DeRosa named New York's first female secretary to the governor|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/exclusive-cuomo-appoints-female-secretary-governor-article-1.3065631|access-date=2021-08-05|website=The New York Daily News|date=April 17, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Foderaro 2017" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/23/nyregion/andrew-cuomo-last-day.html|title=Cuomo Blames 'Political Pressure and Media Frenzy' in Farewell Speech|first1=Luis|last1=Ferré-Sadurní|first2=Katie|last2=Glueck|date=August 23, 2021|work=The New York Times}}</ref> The role was described by ''[[The New York Times]]'' as the most powerful appointed official in the state, and she was the first woman appointed to the role.<ref name="La Ferla 2020"/><ref name="Lovett 2021"/>

DeRosa was involved in steering bills through the legislature, including minimum wage, paid family leave and expanded insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization.<ref name="Minutaglio 2020"/><ref name="La Ferla 2020" /><ref name="Banjo 2021"/> She chaired the New York State Council on Women and Girls and headed the COVID-19 maternity task force.<ref name="La Ferla 2020" /> ''City & State New York'' described her as the Cuomo administration's "go-to person" on a 2020 budget proposal to legalize paid gestational surrogacy, which DeRosa described as a priority of the Council.<ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Zach |title=Democrats' generational divide on gestational surrogacy |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/personality/2020/03/democrats-generational-divide-on-gestational-surrogacy/176319/ |work=City & State New York |date=March 4, 2020 |access-date=June 12, 2026}}</ref> In 2017, DeRosa spoke publicly about her experience with sexual harassment and encouraged women to "speak up and speak out."<ref name="Vielkind 2017">{{cite news |last1=Vielkind |first1=Jimmy |title=DeRosa recalls sexual harassment, urges women to speak up |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2017/10/18/derosa-recalls-sexual-harassment-urges-women-to-speak-up-115121 |access-date=6 August 2021 |work=Politico |date=October 18, 2017}}</ref> DeRosa also chaired the New York State Domestic Violence COVID Task Force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/new-york-covid-19-domestic-violence-task-force|title=Behind the New York Domestic Violence Task Force Launched in Response to COVID-19|date=June 18, 2020|website=Vogue}}</ref>

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she had a major role in the coordination and management of the New York response.<ref name="Minutaglio 2020"/> DeRosa chaired the state's COVID-19 Maternity Task Force.<ref name="La Ferla 2020" /> In 2020, ''Harper's Bazaar'' included DeRosa in its "Voices of Hope" feature, after Christy Turlington Burns selected her as one of five women "who give her hope".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Introducing BAZAAR's Summer Issue, Dedicated to Voices of Hope |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a32881371/bazaar-summer-issue-voices-of-hope/ |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |date=June 24, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2026}}</ref>

In March 2020, when [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)|COVID-19]] testing was limited in New York, ''The New York Times'' reported that Cuomo's family and other influential people received priority access to coronavirus testing and expedited results. The article said Giorgio DeRosa, Melissa DeRosa's father, was among those treated as a "special".<ref name="auto1"/> In May 2021, federal prosecutors began to investigate the priority testing program as a potential improper use of their position to obtain “privileges or exemptions”.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/nyregion/cuomo-covid-test-investigation.html|title=U.S. Inquiry Into Cuomo Widens to Examine Virus Tests for 'Specials'|first=J. David|last=Goodman|date=May 19, 2021|work=The New York Times}}</ref> State officials said DeRosa contacted the health commissioner, [[Howard Zucker]], and requested her father be tested after he was exposed to someone with COVID-19 who had recently been hospitalized and died. The state officials said the Health Department granted the request due to his daughter's close and regular contact with the governor and others involved in the pandemic response.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2021/05/19/cuomo-family-got-special-covid-testing-while-he-was-under-fire/|title=Cuomo's family got special COVID-19 testing even while he was under fire for it|first=Bernadette|last= Hogan|date=May 19, 2021|work=New York Post}}</ref>

In March 2021, ''The Wall Street Journal'' and ''The New York Times'' reported that a group of Cuomo administration officials, including DeRosa, rewrote a July 2020 report from public health officials that resulted in undercounting nursing home deaths from COVID-19 in New York. The actual number of deaths was removed soon after DeRosa and [[Linda Lacewell]] became aware of its inclusion in the report.<ref name="Palazzolo 2021">{{cite news |last1=Palazzolo |first1=Joe |last2=Vielkand |first2=Jimmy |last3=O'Brien |first3=Rebecca Davis |title=Cuomo Advisers Altered Report on Covid-19 Nursing-Home Deaths |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuomo-advisers-altered-report-on-covid-19-nursing-home-deaths-11614910855 |access-date=8 December 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=March 4, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Goodman 2021">{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=J. David |last2=Hakim |first2=Danny |title=Cuomo Aides Rewrote Nursing Home Report to Hide Higher Death Toll |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/nyregion/cuomo-nursing-home-deaths.html |access-date=8 December 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=March 4, 2021 |quote=Updated Sept. 23, 2021}}</ref> New York Attorney General [[Letitia James]] released a report in January 2021 that indicated the original published death toll was less than half of the 15,000 deaths attributable to COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rosa-Aquino|first=Paola|date=2021-04-28|title=Cuomo Aides Accused of Hiding COVID Nursing Home Death Toll: Report|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/04/cuomo-aide-melissa-derosa-led-nursing-home-cover-up-report.html|access-date=2021-08-05|website=The Intelligencer|language=en-us}}</ref> According to the Cuomo administration "the out-of-facility data was omitted after D.O.H. could not confirm it had been adequately verified" and the conclusions of the report were not changed.<ref name="Goodman 2021"/><ref name="Palazzolo 2021"/>

DeRosa resigned as Secretary to the Governor on August 8, 2021.<ref name="Dawsey 2021 2">{{cite news |last1=Dawsey |first1=Josh |title=Melissa DeRosa, top aide to Cuomo, resigns in wake of state attorney general's report |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/melissa-derosa-top-aide-to-cuomo-resigns-in-wake-of-state-attorney-general-report/2021/08/08/f56ae2e0-f8b4-11eb-943a-c5cf30d50e6a_story.html |access-date=9 August 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Gronewold 2021">{{cite news |last1=Gronewold |first1=Anne |last2=Mahoney |first2=Bill |title=Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo's top staffer, resigns |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2021/08/08/melissa-derosa-cuomos-top-staffer-resigns-1389733 |access-date=9 August 2021 |work=Politico |date=August 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Ferré-Sadurní 2021">{{cite news |last1=Ferré-Sadurní |first1=Luis |title=Cuomo's Top Aide, Melissa DeRosa, Resigns as He Fights to Survive |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/08/nyregion/melissa-derosa-resign-cuomo.html |access-date=9 August 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> Her resignation was effective August 24, the same date as Cuomo's resignation after a report from the state's attorney general concluded he had sexually harassed nearly a dozen women.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldmacher |first1=Shane |title=Cuomo Will Resign Amid Sexual Harassment Scandal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/10/nyregion/cuomo-resigns |access-date=10 August 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=10 August 2021 |quote=Melissa DeRosa is still serving as Cuomo’s top aide. Though she submitted her resignation, she did so without a date. She set the date to be 14 days away — lining up with Cuomo’s own resignation.}}</ref><ref name="Ferré-Sadurní 2021"/> The report found that DeRosa had "spearheaded efforts to retaliate against one of the women who had spoken out publicly about her allegation."<ref name="Ferré-Sadurní 2021"/>

===Post-public office===
DeRosa opened a consulting business providing services including crisis communications, executive operations, and government affairs strategy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bustle.com/politics/melissa-derosa-whats-left-unsaid-me-too|title=Her Boss Got #MeToo'd. She's Still Standing by Him. |date=January 17, 2024|last=Vilensky|first=Mike|publisher=bustle.com}}</ref> She is a contributor to the [[The Daily Beast|Daily Beast]] and provides political commentary and analysis, appearing on [[Fox News]], [[CNBC]], and [[NewsNation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/author/melissa-derosa/|title=Contributor Melissa DeRosa|date=|last=|first=|publisher=thedailybeast.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/melissa-derosa-democrats-face-painful-question-trump-right|title=MELISSA DEROSA: Democrats face a painful question: What went wrong
|date=November 11, 2024|last=DeRosa|first=Melissa|publisher=foxnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/01/23/2024-election-and-the-economy-how-does-inflation-impact-the-presidential-election.html|title=2024 election and the economy: How does inflation impact the presidential election?|date=January 23, 2024|last=|first=|publisher=cnbc.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogg7iFiTyFQ|title=Top aide to Fmr. Gov. Andrew Cuomo talks decision to halt congestion pricing in NYC|date=January 23, 2024|last=|first=|publisher=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbTcHTyfrAg|title=Melissa DeRosa on NewsNation Live 9 16 2024|date=September 16, 2024|last=|first=|publisher=Guarsico Group}}</ref> In 2025, she was an advisor to Cuomo's campaign for Mayor, and she serves as a member of [[Cornell University]]'s Communications Advisory Board.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/inside-city-hall/2025/11/11/adviser-melissa-derosa-discusses-cuomo-s-campaign|title=Adviser Melissa DeRosa discusses Cuomo's campaign|date=10 November 2025|last=|first=|publisher=ny1.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://cals.cornell.edu/communication/about-us/people/advisory-board|title=Advisory Board|date=|last=|first=|publisher=cals.cornell.edu}}</ref>

In October 2023, DeRosa wrote a memoir.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Coltin |first1=Jeff |title='This is not a burn book': Cuomo aide's new book takes on foes |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/24/andrew-cuomo-aide-book-00123220 |access-date=5 December 2023 |work=[[Politico]] |date=24 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Chris |title=Melissa DeRosa Isn't Done Defending Andrew Cuomo |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/10/melissa-derosa-andrew-cuomo-book |access-date=5 December 2023 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=18 October 2023}}</ref> ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' described the book as "An angry, raw, and briskly told memoir."<ref>{{cite news |title=WHAT'S LEFT UNSAID |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/melissa-derosa/whats-left-unsaid/ |access-date=5 December 2023 |work=[[Kirkus Reviews]] |date=November 1, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> A review by Lloyd Green in ''[[The Guardian]]'' states, "DeRosa's memoir is pocked with scenes of a marriage gone south, of trying to cope with Covid-19 and of general governmental strife. She punches hard. Her anger is white hot. Her book is deliberate and focused."<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Lloyd |title=What's Left Unsaid review: Andrew Cuomo and the case for his defense |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/04/whats-left-unsaid-book-review-andrew-cuomo |access-date=5 December 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 November 2023}}</ref> According to a ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' review, "DeRosa defends the former governor at every turn, suggesting that New York’s higher nursing home death rate was due to a complex quirk of accounting (and that the federal investigation was spurred by President Donald Trump’s jealousy over Cuomo’s spotlight-stealing leadership during the pandemic). Elsewhere, she posits that the sexual harassment allegations were overblown, driven by a vindictive former staffer who recruited other women to join her suit."<ref>{{cite news |title=What's Left Unsaid: My Life at the Center of Power, Politics & Crisis by Melissa DeRosa |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781454952336 |access-date=5 December 2023 |work=[[Publishers Weekly]] |date=October 24, 2023}}</ref> [[Rebecca Traister]] reviewed the book for [[New York magazine]]: "It is ostensibly an attempt to set the record straight, but it is really an exercise in rehabilitating her image as a glass-ceiling breaker while painting Cuomo in a heroic light. As a document, its relationship to truth is casual, and it’s filled with reconstructed dialogue that reads like a cut-rate version of her favorite show, The West Wing."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Traister |first1=Rebecca |title=With an eviscerating new book, Andrew Cuomo’s former lieutenant is settling scores and prepping a comeback. |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/melissa-derosa-book-andrew-cuomo.html |access-date=3 June 2026 |publisher=[[New York magazine]] |date=24 October 2023}}</ref>

==Public image==
The ''[[New York Times]]'' described DeRosa as Cuomo's enforcer for "engaging in bare-knuckled political brawling," and said she was "known for delivering blistering tirades" according to then current and former Cuomo advisors.<ref name="Dawsey 2021"/>

In April, 2021, ''The New York Times'' reported that dozens of Cuomo employees alleged Cuomo and staff members, including DeRosa, would "scream and curse at subordinates over small stumbles, like misspelling names." Some employees reported crying at the office almost every week due to the toxic environment.<ref name="toxic">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/nyregion/cuomo-women-toxic-workplace.html|title=For Some Women, Working for Cuomo Is the 'Worst Place to Be'|first1=Brian M.|last1=Rosenthal|first2=Luis|last2=Ferré-Sadurní|date=March 12, 2021|work=The New York Times}}</ref> DeRosa's role in fueling a toxic workplace also featured in an August 3, 2021 report by the [[New York State Attorney General]] regarding the [[Cuomo sexual harassment allegations]].<ref name="Ferré-Sadurní 2021"/><ref name="Dawsey 2021"/> The report also described DeRosa "pressuring" a former staffer into calling a current staffer who expressed support for an accuser and recording the call as "a fishing expedition on behalf of the executive chamber.”<ref name="retal"/><ref name="Dawsey 2021"/>

DeRosa is mentioned 187 times in the report, more than anyone except the governor himself. It portrays DeRosa as "spearheading" the retaliation against [[Lindsey Boylan]] and attempts to discredit her after she made [[Cuomo sexual harassment allegations|sexual harassment allegations against the governor]].<ref name="Dawsey 2021"/><ref name="Niedzwiadek 2021">{{cite news |last1=Niedzwiadek |first1=Nick |last2=Gronewold |first2=Anna |title=All the governor's men — and women |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2021/08/05/all-the-governors-men-and-women-1389616 |access-date=9 August 2021 |work=Politico |date=August 5, 2021}}</ref><ref name="retal">{{Cite news|last1=Ferré-Sadurní|first1=Luis|last2=Bromwich|first2=Jonah E.|date=2021-08-05|title=How Cuomo and His Team Retaliated Against His Accusers|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/nyregion/cuomo-accusers-alphonso-david-roberta-kaplan.html|access-date=2021-08-06|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In a recorded call involving DeRosa and the [[Albany Times Union]], an editor told the governor’s office that the newspaper did not want Boylan's personnel file, but it was sent to them anyway. DeRosa also circulated a letter to current and former staff attacking Boylan and undermining her credibility.<ref name="Dawsey 2021"/><ref name="Ferré-Sadurní 2021"/> DeRosa responded to the depiction of her in the report by saying "Haven’t you heard? Women aren’t allowed to be mad or fight — being tough and direct makes you a 'bitch.'"<ref name="Dawsey 2021"/>

The report revealed a previously unreported accusation of sexual harassment made by a [[New York State Police]] officer, and DeRosa's attempt to kill a news story investigating if state rules were changed so the officer could join the governor's security detail even though she did not meet minimum experience requirements. DeRosa called the story "sexist". <ref name="Dawsey 2021"/> A civil lawsuit against DeRosa arising from alleged retaliation against the officer was dismissed in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Stephanie|last2=|first2=|date=2023-09-29|title=Lawsuit against two former Cuomo aides, accusing them of retaliation, dismissed|language=en-US|work= [[WRGB]]|url=https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/lawsuit-against-two-former-cuomo-aides-accusing-them-of-retaliation-dismissed|access-date=2021-08-06|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The report concluded that despite "numerous" claims that arose about the governor's harassment of young female staffers, DeRosa was not depicted as going to lengths to investigate them.<ref name="Dawsey 2021"/>

==Personal life==
In 2016, DeRosa married Matthew Wing, an [[Uber]] senior communications officer, formerly a Cuomo press secretary in 2013 and 2014, and then communications director for the governor's re-election campaign.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news|date=2016-08-28|title=Melissa DeRosa, Matthew Wing|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/28/fashion/weddings/melissa-derosa-matthew-wing.html|access-date=2021-08-05|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> They met in 2013 when both worked for Cuomo.<ref name="La Ferla 2020" />

DeRosa and Wing divorced in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gould |first1=Jennifer |title=Ex-Cuomo top aide Melissa DeRosa, hubby to divorce, sell home: sources|url=https://nypost.com/2021/10/15/ex-cuomo-top-aide-melissa-derosa-and-hubby-to-divorce-sources/|access-date=6 March 2026 |work=New York Post |date=15 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Her former mother-in-law is [[Audrey Strauss]].<ref name="Banjo 2021"/>

==Bibliography==
*''What's Left Unsaid: My Life at the Center of Power, Politics & Crisis'' (2023)<ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Derosa, Melissa}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:American public relations people]]
[[Category:Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New York (state) Democrats]]
[[Category:People from Albany, New York]]
[[Category:People from Saratoga Springs, New York]]
[[Category:Women government officials]]

Melissa DeRosa - Revision history