April 27, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Tracy Schario
202-994-3566; tschario@gwu.edu

FORMER DEMOCRATIC COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR NAMED
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS

WASHINGTON--Sarah Gegenheimer Baldassaro has joined GW as assistant vice president for communications.  She will manage GW's communications operation reporting to Vice President for External Relations Lorraine Voles.  As part of the merger of GW's communications and government relations divisions, Baldassaro will evaluate GW's communications functions and identify and implement strategies to enhance operations, elevate GW's external profile and better communicate GW's goals, priorities and accomplishments.

"Sarah brings to GW extensive experience in strategic communications and media relations spanning Congress, the White House, the Cabinet, presidential campaigns and the private sector," said Voles. "Sarah will help build the University's social media presence and strengthen awareness of GW nationally and internationally." 

Baldassaro added, "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to highlight the tremendous faculty, staff and students at The George Washington University and further raise GW's visibility in Washington, across the country and around the world.  I look forward to working with Lorraine and GW's outstanding team to showcase all that GW has to offer."

Baldassaro comes to GW from Capitol Hill where she served as communications director for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. She advised Sen. Clinton and senior staff and managed the development and execution of communications strategy for the senator's legislative agenda. 

Baldassaro served during the Clinton Administration as a White House spokesperson and White House deputy press secretary and director of media relations.  She also served as a public affairs specialist at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.    

Previously, Baldassaro was a spokesperson and strategist for presidential campaigns, including roles as deputy communications director to Sen. John Kerry and communications director to Teresa Heinz Kerry, traveling with the candidate's wife.  She also served as a senior media strategist for the Glover Park Group, providing communications counsel to public affairs clients, including major corporations, trade associations and unions.    

Baldassaro is a graduate of the University of Michigan and resides in Alexandria, Va., with husband Fred Baldassaro.

In the heart of the nation's capital, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 countries.

For more news about The George Washington University, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org.

-GW-