![]() |
| Mahen Gunaratna |
Mahen Gunaratna, who was chief strategy advisor and communications director to former New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and deputy communications director for ex-NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, is coming on board at MikeWorldWide as EVP of public affairs.
During his tenure in the Murphy Administration, Gunaratna handled such issues as the COVID-19 pandemic, covering Murphy’s two full terms in office that resulted in nearly 2,500 bills signed into law.
He was also Florida communications director for Hillary for America, served in Obama’s 2012 campaign, and led communications for Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL).
At MWW, Gunaratna will advise organizations as they navigate challenges including policy environments, heightened scrutiny, crisis situations and reputational risk.
“Mahen has led in environments where the margin for error was small and expectations were exceptionally high,” said Michael Kempner, founder and CEO of MikeWorldWide. “That perspective strengthens our ability to advise organizations facing complex decisions under intense public scrutiny.”


Seven Letter hires Allie Raffa, who was most recently White House correspondent for NBC News, as a senior director... Points of Light, an organization founded by President George H.W. Bush that is dedicated to volunteer service, names Jeff Zanelli as CMO... Frontieras North America, an energy and environmental technology company, appoints Nora Shepard as VP of communications.
Alcoa has named Emily Olson, who has more than 20 years of experience working in capital-intensive industries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, EVP & chief external affairs officer, effective April 6.
Longacre Square Partners has named Humza Vanderman partner and head of its London outpost as the financial communications firm expands into Europe.
FGS Global adds former Pfizer EVP and chief corporate affairs officer Sally Susman to its global executive board as an independent member, effective April 1... Codeword brings on Kim Baffi, who was previously Salesforce VP and creative director, as executive creative director... Amperity, an AI-powered customer data cloud, appoints Bridget Perry as CMO.
MOIA America, a Volkswagen Group of America subsidiary that develops and tests autonomous, all-electric ride-pooling vehicles, names Marcus Gamo head of U.S. communications... Continental Strategy brings on Francisco Petrirena as VP in its Miami office. Petrirena was previously chief of staff to former Miami city manager Art Noriega... MSQ Sport + Entertainment brings on Lauren Weil as EVP, Max Hirsch as VP of sponsorship, and Brooke Losee as VP.



