Mayor de Blasio Appoints Andrea Zuniga as Deputy Chief of Staff and Marti Adams Baker as Deputy Communications Director

August 7, 2015

NEW YORK—Mayor de Blasio today appointed Andrea Zuniga as Deputy Chief of Staff and Marti Adams Baker as Deputy Communications Director. In her new role, Zuniga will aid Chief of Staff Thomas Snyder in the daily management and coordination of all aspects of the Mayor's Office. As Deputy Communications Director, Adams Baker will assist in the development and execution of long-term communications strategies in City Hall and across City agencies.

"Andrea will strengthen our team with her deep commitment to progressive values and background in organizing and activism, having spent years fighting for workers’ rights. Marti has been a highly competent and trusted member of our team since day one, and I'm thrilled to see her move into a new role that is an ideal fit for her skills and experience," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "I'm delighted to welcome Andrea to the Mayor's Office, and warmly congratulate Marti on her new position."

"As someone who shares this Administration's commitment to lift up all New Yorkers, I look forward to working closely with the Chief of Staff to ensure City Hall runs smoothly and effectively, both in the long-term and on a day-to-day basis," said Deputy Chief of Staff Andrea Zuniga.

"I’m honored to accept the role of Deputy Communications Director and continue to serve Mayor de Blasio, this Administration and the people of New York City," said Deputy Communications Director Marti Adams Baker. "I look forward to advising the Mayor and senior members of the Administration in this new capacity as we continue to work together to build a stronger, more equitable New York City."

An experienced labor activist, Zuniga will bring a history of leadership and commitment to progressive values to her new role as Deputy Chief of Staff, where she will assist with the broad range of responsibilities that pertain to coordinating the Mayor's Office. Zuniga will help oversee policy initiatives and assist in the direction of the day-to-day operations of the Mayor's schedule and executive offices, including the Office of Appointments, Office of Special Projects and Community Events, Office of Citywide Events Coordination and Management, NYC Service, Office for International Affairs, Office of Scheduling & Advance, and Gracie Mansion, as well as other aspects of the Mayor's Office.

As Deputy Communications Director, Adams Baker will assist in the coordination of communications in City Hall and across City agencies. A seasoned member of the de Blasio Administration, she has previously served as Communications Manager and First Deputy Press Secretary at City Hall. Having also held key communications roles within President Obama's Administration and on both of his campaigns, she brings essential experience and communications skills to her new position as Deputy Communications Director.

About Andrea Zuniga

Andrea Zuniga most recently served as Legislative Representative for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, where she advocated for the AFL-CIO on issues relating to immigration, civil rights, and paid leave. Prior to her work with the AFL-CIO, Zuniga was Legislative Affairs Specialist for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, and worked for several other labor organizations including the Laborers' International Union of North America and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Zuniga also served on the Advisory Council of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and the boards of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the Hispanic Lobbyists Association. She is a graduate of American University and the George Washington University School of Law.

About Marti Adams Baker

Marti Adams Baker has served as a Communications Manager at City Hall, as well as First Deputy Press Secretary in the Mayor’s Press Office. Prior to joining the de Blasio Administration, she served in communications and management roles in both the private and public sectors. She was Director of Event Communications for Obama for America in 2012, where she handled messaging, planning, media relations and logistics for the President's campaign events. Adams Baker spent three years at the U.S. Treasury Department as spokesperson for the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, where she led the Obama Administration’s communications strategy on U.S. financial sanctions programs, counter-terrorist financing and other issues related to national security. During President Obama’s 2008 campaign, she served in several communications roles, including Deputy Press Secretary to Michelle Obama. Adams Baker is a graduate of Spelman College.

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