The Advance Group

Scott Levenson is the Founder and President of The Advance Group (TAG), a
nationally and internationally recognized consulting firm built on the principle
that success depends not only on strategy, but on influence, access, and
execution. With more than three decades at the forefront of politics, advocacy,
and business, Scott has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor who delivers
results in the most complex and high-stakes arenas.
Since founding TAG in 1990, Scott has guided campaigns, coalitions, and
institutions through transformative moments—negotiating deals, managing
crises, and positioning leaders for success. What began as a career in
community and labor organizing quickly expanded to the national stage. He
served as the lead advance person for Reverend Jesse Jackson’s 1988
Presidential Campaign and later built national strategies for the Democratic
Party in 1992 and 1996. He has since represented hundreds of candidates
across the country, shaping New York City mayoral races and advising
internationally in Israel, Italy, Japan, and the Czech Republic.
A recognized strategist on equity and innovation, Scott has been at the
forefront of the fight for pay parity, working alongside CWA Local 1180 to
dismantle decades of gender and racial discrimination. He has also been a
driving force in the rise of a new generation of progressive leadership, helping
propel Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Bronx Borough
President Vanessa Gibson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to
victory.
Scott is also a leading strategist on cannabis policy and reform and has been
addressing the consequences of criminalization for over 20 years. He
co-founded and served as COO of Tikun Olam USA, one of the first medical
cannabis companies in the United States, and was instrumental in shaping the
strategy behind New York’s Compassionate Care Act. He has since advised
on adult-use legalization campaigns nationwide, while extending his counsel
to biotech and pharmaceutical start-ups facing sensitive, high-value
challenges.

Scott is also a frequent commentator on New York City and national politics,
appearing across television, radio, podcasts, and private media.
Respected for his discretion and reach, Scott is often called upon when the
stakes are highest—whether structuring pivotal deals, resolving reputational
threats, or opening doors at the intersection of politics, business, and law. At
TAG, Scott has redefined consulting into a selective, deeply personal model
rooted in influence. His philosophy is simple: protect client interests fiercely,
expand their opportunities strategically, and ensure they never stand alone in
the rooms where decisions are made.