Communications leadership announcement
To the Harvard Chan School community,
I’m delighted to announce that Jill Friedman will join us as vice dean for communications, effective August 24.
Jill brings deep leadership experience in communications, brand management, thought leadership, and risk management. In key positions at research universities, a global public relations firm, and in state and federal government, she has been adept at shaping narratives and integrating multiple means of communication—from traditional to digital to multimedia—in order to improve influence, impact, and outcomes. She has served as a trusted advisor to executive leaders in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.
Since 2020, Jill has been chief communications officer and vice president for marketing and communications at Clark University in Worcester, where she helped frame and advance a new vision for the university during a period of strategic transformation. Prior to that, she served as chief communications officer and vice chancellor for public affairs at Washington University in St. Louis, helping that institution build new strength in thought leadership, research storytelling, and digital and multimedia communications.
As senior vice president and partner in the public affairs practice group at Fleishman-Hillard, Jill served as spokesperson for a wide range of clients, advised C-suite executives, and designed and implemented strategic communications programs to help clients build reputation, manage through existential challenges, and achieve operational excellence.
Previously, Jill served as professional staff on U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy’s Judiciary Committee staff and in several senior positions with Gov. Mel Carnahan of Missouri, including deputy chief of staff. She helped craft and drive major policy initiatives, such as statewide healthcare expansion and a nationally recognized urban economic development program.
Jill holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Vermont and a master of business administration from the Olin School of Business at Washington University.
Please join me in welcoming Jill to Harvard Chan School.
Best,
Andrea
Andrea Baccarelli, MD, PhD
Dean of the Faculty
