Mission Local is tracking Daniel Lurie’s appointments on a live page here, where you can see the comings and goings at the major city departments and the mayor’s office as they happen.
Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie today announced the six staffers on his communications and community relations team, four of whom worked side-by-side with Lurie during his successful mayoral campaign.
Lurie appointed Nina Negusse, a seasoned public relations expert, as his communications director, and Charles Lutvak, the national spokesperson on Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, as his press secretary and senior communications advisor.
Negusse, the appointed communications director, most recently worked as the vice president of crisis and risk communications at the public relations firm Edelman. This appointment also marks her return to City Hall, where she worked as the public information officer at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for more than six years, as well as at the San Francisco Department of Elections.
Prior to this appointment and his position as senior communications advisor for Harris’ presidential campaign, Lutvak worked as the deputy press secretary and acting press secretary for New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Kit Lam, the campaign’s Asian American and Pacific Islander political director, who helped Lurie harvest the decisive Asian vote, is joining Lurie’s administration as the community and press liaison for the Asian community.
Earlier, Lam was known as one of the organizers of the 2022 school board recall. He also worked as a legislative aide for District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio from 2023 to 2024.
Annie Gabillet, who steered Lurie’s social media, will become his deputy communications director. Gabillet led the coverage for three presidential elections and forged a content initiative with First Lady Michelle Obama at PopSugar, a media brand where she worked for a decade that is now a part of Vox Media.
Moisés García, the campaign’s LGBTQ outreach director, is now the community liaison. García worked on Lateefah Simon’s congressional campaign at the beginning of 2024 and served as the executive director of the San Francisco Democratic Party from the end of 2021 to mid-2024. García also served on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Citizens Advisory Council for seven years, including three years as chair.
Haakon Black, a daily staffer who was often seen taking care of the campaign’s logistics, will become Lurie’s communications and digital assistant. Black is a native San Franciscan and a graduate of Stuart Hall High School. He earned his political science degree from Northwestern University in 2023.
“This is a world-class team that will be critical to engaging and communicating across San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods,” Lurie said in a press release. “Their experience and commitment to our city will help us tackle our historic challenges while rebuilding trust with the people of San Francisco.”
Thank you London Breed for all your years of service especially during some of the most difficult times we’ve seen and experienced in our beloved City! We will miss you!!!
Good luck Mr Lurie! You have a HUGE JOB AHEAD!!!!
“Thank you London Breed for all your years of GRAFT AND SELF-DEALING,” FTFY.
Authentic smiles all around from Lurie’s seasoned team members. Hard work pays off. Suddenly, I now feel slightly optimistic about our city’s incoming Mayor.
Meh