PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Kenney today announced new appointments in the Mayor’s Office of Communications, the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement and the Mayor’s Office of Education.

Deana Gamble has been named Communications Director for the city, beginning April 30. Gamble has worked for the city for five years in various roles, most recently as Chief of Staff for the Mayor’s Office of Education (MOE). She previously served as Communications Director for MOE, and was integral in launching Mayor Kenney’s educational initiatives, PHLpreK and Community Schools. Prior to MOE, Gamble was the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, and Marketing and Development Manager for a non-profit community development corporation and charter school operator. Gamble holds an MS from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA from Temple University.

Ajeenah Amir has been named Director for the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement, beginning May 7. Amir is a Philadelphia native, with over 10 years’ experience in communications, community outreach, advocacy and events management. She most recently served as Deputy Communications Director for the city, managing and advising the communications activities for a broad portfolio of departments, including Planning and Development, the Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the Mayor’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Prior to joining the Kenney Administration, Amir worked as Deputy Press Secretary for Governor Tom Wolf, and as Associate State Director for Communications with AARP Pennsylvania. Amir earned her MS at the University of Pennsylvania and her BA from Howard University.

Christine Piven, PhD., has been named Deputy Chief Education Officer, beginning May 14. Piven was most recently Chief of Staff for the Community and Culture portfolio for the City of Philadelphia, reporting to the Deputy Managing Director who oversees the Free Library of Philadelphia, Parks and Recreation, the Office of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy, and the Office of Special Events. As Chief of Staff, she worked with the Deputy Managing Director, Managing Director, and departments in a variety of roles, from program manager and advisor to managing strategic initiatives within the portfolio, particularly the Citywide Out-of-School Time Initiative. In her ten years with the City of Philadelphia, Piven has led teams and managed initiatives like My Brother’s Keeper, which included building it into a nationally recognized model. In addition, she has overseen internal-facing initiatives such as developing and managing a multi-department, 25-person strategic review process for the Independent Advisory Commission recommendations for the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Piven holds a PhD from the University of Michigan and a BA from Pomona College.

Mike Dunn will serve as First Deputy Communications Director. In addition, two Deputy Communications Directors have recently joined the Mayor’s Office of Communications:

Kelly Cofrancisco has held communications and marketing positions at the Brookings Institution, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, among others. She holds an MPA from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in business from Mercyhurst University.

Sarah Reyes previously worked with the Mayor’s Office of Education as Communications Manager. She also served for two years in Philadelphia as an AmeriCorps member with City Year and VISTA. Reyes has a BA from the College of New Jersey.