With his inauguration just around the corner on January 8, mayor-elect Daniel Lurie is putting the final touches on his City Hall team, introducing key staff members who will help shape the future of San Francisco. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, Lurie has chosen a mix of fresh faces and seasoned City Hall insiders to fill six crucial administrative positions.
Amongst the appointments, philanthropist Penny Coulter steps into the role of chief of protocol, a position previously held by Maryam Muduroglu. At the same time, Adam Thongsavat, a legislative aide to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, will become the liaison to the Board of Supervisors, taking over from Tom Paulino. Coulter, with her significant experience in the nonprofit sector and board positions across top cultural and medical institutions, brings a wealth of community and global relations expertise. Thongsavat, lauded for his policy acumen on homelessness, small business support, and LGBTQ+ issues, will be a key player in ensuring Lurie’s policy initiatives make their legislative mark, as noted by Mission Local.
The mayor-elect has also appointed Andre Adeyemi as director of appointments, trusting him with the vetting of suitable candidates for the city’s many boards and commissions. Previously an associate with Rich Talent Group and currently chief of staff at Zep AI, Adeyemi’s experience in executive search is expected to enrich the city's panels with diverse and qualified individuals. Continuing her work from the campaign, Aly Bonde will serve as a policy adviser to Lurie, bringing her expertise from her time with Planned Parenthood of Northern California and Oakland Thrives.
The community's voice will not go unheard as Ernest "EJ" Jones, a former District 11 supervisorial candidate with a legacy of community service, steps in as director of community affairs. "This is a group of leaders who are ready to meet the moment and deliver for the people of San Francisco," Lurie said in a statement obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle. "Each of these individuals brings exceptional expertise and a deep commitment to accountability, service, and change."
Eileen Mariano, Breed staffer and the granddaughter of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, is another key returnee, maintaining her position as state and federal legislative affairs manager.
