In a recent stride towards reshaping her team at City Hall, Mayor Michelle Wu has made strategic appointments, elevating Ricardo Patrón to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff and enlisting Emma Pettit as the new Press Secretary. Patrón, who previously served as the Press Secretary, will gradually assume his new role throughout July, succeeding Yusufi Vali who is departing to tend to family matters. Pettit will commence her duties as Press Secretary on July 1. In a statement from the Mayor's Office, Wu praised the duo for their experience, knowledge, and commitment to the city, asserting that their appointments will bolster Boston's progress and improve responsiveness to its citizens' needs.
With a rich background in public service, including his tenure as former City Councilor Lydia Edwards' chief of staff and positions in education and the Milwaukee County's criminal justice system, Patrón brings a versatile set of skills to his new post. Since joining the Mayor's administration in early 2022, he has been pivotal to Wu's communication efforts and was lauded by the outgoing Vali for his dedication to the residents and his collaborative leadership style. Emma Pettit, who steps into the Press Secretary shoes, is no stranger to the City Hall communications team, with her journey that started in July 2019 through three distinct administrations. In her past roles as press assistant and deputy press secretary, Pettit has displayed her expertise and a clear understanding of city dynamics, which she will continue leveraging in her new position.
In their respective new capacities, Pattón as the Deputy Chief of Staff, will work closely with Mayor Wu and Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu in steering the Mayor's Cabinet as well as executing the Mayor's overarching vision of a more inclusive and accessible city. Pettis's task list as Press Secretary involves orchestrating the flow of information to the public and fostering a transparent dialogue through press conferences, interviews, and media releases. The two are expected to work in tandem, fostering inter-departmental collaboration and driving the administration's community-focused agenda forward. Both appointees, heralded as embodiments of public service, come highly recommended by their colleagues. Pettit's role falls under the purview of Chief of Communications Jessicah Pierre, who is tasked with overseeing the city's intricate communication network.
The city's press office is essential in conveying the Mayor's vision and policies, and with Pettit at the helm, the office is positioned to continue building trust and transparency under the Wu administration. Pettit's Northeastern University education, coupled with her hands-on experience and commitment to accessibility, equips her to successfully lead the press office's liaison activities. As for Patrón, his story is exemplified by immigrant roots, having moved to the US from Mérida, Yucatán, and his eyes are set on policies that reflect the diverse tapestry of Boston's communities. Both Patrón and Pettit carry an enthusiasm for public service that Pittsburgh has been instrumental in nurturing, and their leadership, in the words of Chief of Communications Jessicah Pierre, has been key in empowering residents to connect with their government.
