Leader Book’s All-Women Leadership Team to Include First Female Hispanic Staff Director
Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Plantation) is pleased to announce that Maggie Gerson has been named Staff Director for the Florida Senate Democratic Office and Cathy Schroeder will serve as the Deputy Staff Director, both beginning October 1.
“I am excited to welcome Maggie and Cathy to the Senate Democratic Office and to usher in two strong women to lead our caucus,” says Leader Book. “As we head into another important Session fighting for everyday Floridians, Senate Democrats need the kind of strong, smart, and strategic staff leadership Maggie and Cathy will provide to help achieve policy wins and navigate Members’ priorities through the process.”
Maggie Gerson
Maggie Gerson has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2005 and spent 15 years as a prosecutor with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Despite a heavy workload handling hundreds of violent and economic fraud felony files and trying dozens of cases to verdict, she still found time to assist other Assistant State Attorneys on research, motion practice, and investigations. Maggie began mentoring then-junior Assistant State Attorney Jason Pizzo, where they became fast friends and formidable trial partners. Since his election in 2018, Maggie has served as Senator Pizzo’s Chief of Staff, where she’s brought the same tireless work ethic and advocacy to the legislative process. The first female Hispanic Staff Director in the history of the Florida Senate, Maggie is a well-suited and critical addition to the Democratic Senate Caucus as it begins a new era of leadership and direction under the ambitious agenda of Leader Lauren Book.
Cathy Schroeder
Cathy Schroeder has more than 20 years of experience working in public affairs, public relations, marketing, and media relations serving public, non-profit, for-profit, and private entities across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Cathy has served as the Vice President of Public Affairs for BowStern Marketing Communications, Director of the Florida Department of Education State Board, and has held several leadership roles in state-government as Chief of Staff, Communications Director and Press Secretary for state agencies overseeing state personnel, purchasing, Florida’s real estate portfolio, education, and labor. Early in her career, Cathy worked with the Children’s Forum and as an account manager with Ron Sachs Communications. In 2014, she received the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal Award for her contributions to advertising and commitment to furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence, and responsibility in areas of social concern.
Since being elected Democratic Leader and then immediately installed by her peers in late April, Book’s hires to Senate Victory and the Senate Democratic Caucus have affirmed her commitment to creating diverse, inclusive organizations which employ and elevate women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
