Kiara Pesante Haughton Joins Demos as First-Ever Chief of Communications

NEW YORK, NY — Today, Demos announced Kiara Pesante Haughton will be joining the organization as Chief of Communications. Pesante Haughton is a highly sought after political communications leader with nearly 15 years experience in public affairs, campaigning and strategic partnerships.   

“Kiara Pesante Haughton brings a wealth of experience to our team. Her work as a communications director for Congressional and progressive leaders to one of the premier public relations leaders working on the most critical issues facing Black and brown people, people from underserved communities, women and children demonstrates a depth of knowledge and direct impact that will better enable Demos to fight for racial equity,” says Taifa Smith Butler, President of Demos. “Her leadership of our organization’s communications will elevate Demos’ work toward a multiracial democracy that works for all of us.”  

“I’m proud to join Demos at such a key time in our country’s history. Events of the past few years in particular show what remains at stake for Black and brown communities and how necessary it is that we mobilize to safeguard our democracy,” said Pesante Haughton. “Effective communications are fundamentally about shifting narratives around the important issues affecting everyday people and pushing them to the forefront. I look forward to working with Demos to use communications as a vehicle to ensure the voices of marginalized communities are heard and centered as we build the future we need and deserve.”  

Prior to joining Demos, Pesante Haughton served as Senior Vice President in the Issue Advocacy practice at BerlinRosen. There, she partnered with national campaigns, large political organizations, and major nonprofits to tell the stories of people and families to spark changes in destructive and oppressive systems. She previously ran communications at Civil Rights Corp, and served as Communications Director for the Democrats on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Labor. As a movement builder, her work has spanned PK-12 education, workplace safety, pay equity, voting rights, reproductive justice, prison conditions, access to legal representation, and much more. Notably, Pesante Haughton was named one of the 100 most influential Black Americans by EBONY Magazine.   

Pesante Haughton will be based in Demos’ office in Washington, DC. 

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