Ben Chang Email & Phone Number

New York City & Washington, D.C.

Advancing the Council's mission of providing independent and nonpartisan expertise, analysis, and perspective at a time of global challenges, when America’s role in the world is more important than ever. Positioning and promoting the Council, its experts, and its products as we expand our reach and seek to have an even greater impact.

New York City Metropolitan Area

Princeton, New Jersey

I serve as Deputy Vice President for Communications and chief spokesperson for Princeton University and director of media relations. Our team, as part of the public affairs and communications office, supports the University community by engaging local, regional, national, and global media to tell the stories of the University and its multi-faceted community, with a focus on diversity, access, and inclusion, building an innovation ecosystem in New Jersey and beyond, and reinforcing awareness of… Show more I serve as Deputy Vice President for Communications and chief spokesperson for Princeton University and director of media relations. Our team, as part of the public affairs and communications office, supports the University community by engaging local, regional, national, and global media to tell the stories of the University and its multi-faceted community, with a focus on diversity, access, and inclusion, building an innovation ecosystem in New Jersey and beyond, and reinforcing awareness of the value of higher education across the country for all Americans. Show less

Princeton, New Jersey

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Managing Director in the U.S. Public Affairs & Crisis Practice.

Washington, District Of Columbia

When Podesta Group clients are in need of strategic communications assistance or find themselves in a crisis, they can trust Ben Chang to craft an effective plan of action and deliver their desired results. With extensive public affairs experience in the diplomatic and security arenas, Ben has a deep understanding of the foreign policy issues of the day and the organizations and audiences with which engagement is imperative.With more than 17 years of government service as a U.S… Show more When Podesta Group clients are in need of strategic communications assistance or find themselves in a crisis, they can trust Ben Chang to craft an effective plan of action and deliver their desired results. With extensive public affairs experience in the diplomatic and security arenas, Ben has a deep understanding of the foreign policy issues of the day and the organizations and audiences with which engagement is imperative.With more than 17 years of government service as a U.S. diplomat, Ben has provided nuanced communications strategies and foreign policy guidance for senior U.S. officials spanning three administrations. Most recently, Ben served as senior adviser for strategic planning & crisis communications in the State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs, where he spearheaded the creation of a new crisis communications capacity. He rolled up his sleeves and was dispatched to work on messaging on the ground in Egypt at the height of the demonstrations in Tahrir Square, in Japan in the immediate aftermath of the tragic earthquake & tsunami, in South Sudan at the moment of its independence, and in Libya as its institutions transitioned to democracy. In helping stand up a new strategic planning team, he worked to amplify Secretary Clinton’s broader policies and initiatives to both domestic & international audiences.As deputy spokesman and director of press & communications for the NSC in the Bush and Obama administrations, Ben formed strong relationships with a broad array of U.S. and foreign media, as well as leadership across several government agencies. From providing on-the-record comments to preparing and executing communications plans for presidential foreign policy initiatives, Ben’s responsibilities showcased his strategic thinking and expertise in international affairs, nonproliferation and global issues.Early in his career, he worked as special assistant to the Amb. to the UN Bill Richardson, and later to Secretaries of State Albright and Powell. Show less

Creating a new capacity within the Public Affairs Bureau to marshal the range of communications tools and platforms available in periods of specific, acute crisis, including representation to the interagency communicators network and deployment of crisis communications personnel to augment Embassies’ efforts overseas.Deployed to Cairo during the height of demonstrations (February 2011) and Tokyo immediately after the earthquake and tsunami and during its nuclear crisis to bolster… Show more Creating a new capacity within the Public Affairs Bureau to marshal the range of communications tools and platforms available in periods of specific, acute crisis, including representation to the interagency communicators network and deployment of crisis communications personnel to augment Embassies’ efforts overseas.Deployed to Cairo during the height of demonstrations (February 2011) and Tokyo immediately after the earthquake and tsunami and during its nuclear crisis to bolster communications efforts on the ground. Traveled with Ambassador Rice to South Sudan (July 2011) and Libya (November 2011) as her traveling press secretary.Building a new Strategic Planning team to function as the single point-of-entry for offices across the Department to leverage Bureau resources to amplify the Secretary’s key strategic priorities.Developing strategic communications plans and track execution, implementation, and outcomes. Show less

Briefed the President, National Security Advisor, White House Press Secretary, and other senior government officials in preparation for media interviews, press conferences, and foreign briefings.Daily engagement with domestic and international media (from the NY Times to al-Jazeera), including pitching & tracking stories, fielding inquiries, backgrounding, and on-the-record comment.Daily coordination across U.S. government agencies (State, Defense, Intelligence, UN, Homeland… Show more Briefed the President, National Security Advisor, White House Press Secretary, and other senior government officials in preparation for media interviews, press conferences, and foreign briefings.Daily engagement with domestic and international media (from the NY Times to al-Jazeera), including pitching & tracking stories, fielding inquiries, backgrounding, and on-the-record comment.Daily coordination across U.S. government agencies (State, Defense, Intelligence, UN, Homeland Security) and daily briefing of senior White House officials on key issues and messages.Prepared and executed strategic communications plans for key Presidential foreign policy initiatives, harnessing the wide array of resources in the White House and across agencies.Issues focused on included Africa (Sudan), Asia (North Korea, Japan), Europe, and the Western Hemisphere, as well as multilateral institutions, non-proliferation, defense policy, and intelligence. Show less

Daily briefing of 5 U.S. Ambassadors (including Jack Danforth, John Bolton, and Zalmay Khalilzad) on key media issues, and coordination of messaging across a wide array of UN issues (from international conflicts to human rights and development).Primary point of contact with the State Department and interagency in Washington.Created and implemented strategic communications planning on key issues before the Security Council (North Korea, Iran, Sudan… Show more Daily briefing of 5 U.S. Ambassadors (including Jack Danforth, John Bolton, and Zalmay Khalilzad) on key media issues, and coordination of messaging across a wide array of UN issues (from international conflicts to human rights and development).Primary point of contact with the State Department and interagency in Washington.Created and implemented strategic communications planning on key issues before the Security Council (North Korea, Iran, Sudan, Georgia/Russia).Oversight of staff in charge of new media, NGO liaison, and the public outreach programs. Show less