On January 3, 2025, San Francisco’s newly elected mayor, Daniel Lurie, announced the appointment of his media and community relations team with the goal of improving communication between the city government and its residents, as well as rebuilding trust between the residents and the city government to strengthen connections within the diverse community.
The core members of this appointment are as follows: Nina Negusse as Media Director; Annie Gabillet as Assistant Media Director; Charles Lutvak as Press Secretary and Senior Media Advisor; Kit Lam as Asian Pacific American Community and Media Liaison Officer; Moisés García as Community Liaison Officer; and Haakon Black as Media and Digital Assistant.
Lurie stated in a press release, “This is a world-class team, serving as the bridge between the city government and the diverse community. Their experience and deep love for San Francisco will help us face historic challenges while rebuilding trust with the residents.”
Let’s delve into the diverse backgrounds and rich experiences of the core members of this team.
Nina Negusse brings over ten years of crisis management and public relations experience, having worked in the private, public, and non-profit sectors in the UK and the US. She previously served as Vice President of Crisis and Risk Communications at Edelman, specializing in handling complex emergency situations and rebuilding brand trust. She has also worked for over six years at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and the Elections Department.
A graduate of the University of Manchester with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations, as well as a Master’s degree in Political Science and Gender Studies, Negusse expressed her great honor to join the city government at a critical moment and tell the story of San Francisco’s rebirth.
Annie Gabillet excels in digital media and storytelling with nearly 20 years of experience. As the Digital Media Director for Lurie’s campaign team, she played a crucial role in Lurie’s successful election as mayor. Gabillet has worked at PopSugar for almost a decade, overseeing content editing and reporting on multiple presidential elections.
Charles Lutvak served as the national spokesperson for Vice President Harris’s presidential campaign and handled media work at the New York City Mayor’s Office, bringing rich government media experience to the team.
Kit Lam has extensive experience in Asian Pacific American community affairs, having served as the Asian Pacific American Political Director for Lurie’s campaign team. From 2023 to 2024, he worked as a legislative aide in City Councilor Jane Kim’s office, providing constituent services and acting as a liaison for the Chinese community and media.
Born in Hong Kong, Lam received his higher education in the US before returning to Hong Kong to work as an investigator with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for four years. Upon his return to the US, he joined the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) as the Address Fraud Investigator for 13 years.
Moisés García is an experienced community leader focusing on connecting with Latinx and other communities. He has worked with various non-profit organizations to promote economic development and cultural preservation and is a graduate of UC Berkeley.
As the youngest member of the team, Haakon Black’s digital media skills played a significant role in Lurie’s successful mayoral campaign. A Northwestern University graduate and a native of San Francisco, Black brings valuable expertise to the team.
This appointment highlights Lurie’s goal of creating a professional and diverse team to enhance government transparency, strengthen interactions within the diverse community, and address challenges facing San Francisco such as economic recovery, housing crises, and public safety. Lurie’s team is set to officially take over the mayor’s office on January 8, showcasing clearer policy goals and governance direction.