Deputy Chief of Staff to the 110th Mayor of New York

In a hands-on leadership role at Actum, I serve a global clientele, offering strategy and insight to deliver meaningful solutions with measurable outcomes. I excel at building relationships with key decision makers, including prominent clergy, civil rights leaders, activists, and legislators. Additionally, I build coalitions among third parties to combat issues related to diversity, inclusion, and communities of color. Directing four junior professionals, I offer guidance and coaching across all operations while overseeing budgets and resources.Some of my key contributions are as follows:★ Achieved strategic alignment and common goals by employing a comprehensive understanding of community issues and the parameters of nonprofit partnerships. ★ Demonstrated expertise in creating social responsibility strategies for clients across government, nonprofit, and corporate spheres; created social impact communications, community engagement strategies, and social/economic policy.★ Gained public support for various national and local campaigns by connecting a network of community members and grassroots leadership to devise strategies.★ Constructed and implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) division, managing all phases of project including conception, proposal, planning, and seamless execution.★ Enhanced client reputation by conceptualizing and executing events and guiding cross-functional teams to ensure execution on time, on budget, and in alignment with vision.

Paul W. Persaud is a Vice President at Actum where he leads national coalition building and community outreach strategy.

In this role, I drove the success of public affairs projects for city, state, federal, and corporate clients, serving as a public affairs strategist and government affairs lobbyist. I successfully nurtured coalitions in New York and New Jersey with community based social justice organizations to support client causes as well as designed and implemented numerous media plans and campaigns with great attention to detail and social awareness. With exceptional crisis management skills, I handled a range of issues with urgency and tact to overcome challenges and barriers. I also identified key community leaders and clergy to support during the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests. Additionally, I guided project teams on all lobbying and press communications activities. Some of my key contributions were as follows:★ Won multiple legislative issues by building largescale local and national coalitions with third-party validators and accelerating communication between community advocates and policy makers.★ Amplified campaign messaging and boosted visibility of client issues by spearheading events including National March on Washington (2020) as well as clergy tours and other events.★ Garnered attention of critical elected officials by producing media stories highlighting pertinent causes and issues.★ Propelled publicity of client issues by galvanizing third-party validators to generate earned media opportunities

Serving as a spokesperson and public liaison for the Governor at local events and community meetings, I conducted outreach with elected officials, stakeholders, and thought partners. In collaboration with intergovernmental affairs and legislative affairs teams, I promoted the policy agenda. As a result of positive relationship building, I also delivered extensive financial and programmatic support to community leaders and organizations.Some of my key contributions were as follows:★ Built trusting relationships by communicating transparently and knowledgeably about state policy, programming, and resources.★ Drove continuous policy improvements by analyzing status quo, pinpointing inefficiencies, and making actionable recommendations within assigned geographic region. ★ Instrumental in appointing key commissions, task forces, and visible leadership to collaborate with state government by researching and identifying valuable community groups, leaders, environmental groups, and local officials. ★ Organized largescale constituent events for major policy announcements involving round-table discussions with constituents, advocates, New York state commissioners, the Governor’s counsel, and deputy secretaries.

During my time as the director of special events, I led over 50 events annually from concept to completion, including venue selection, site visits, talent management, marketing, content development, data management, RSVP management, vendor management, volunteer coordination, and logistics. Some of my successfully executed events include town hall meetings, investor conferences, forums, community meet and greets, and heritage celebrations.

In this role, I led all fundraising and community event logistics, receiving high praise from senior leadership, guests, and stakeholders. My role involved production of event materials, venue selection, resource and budget management, onsite operations, volunteers, RSVPs, as well as managing annual reports, journals, and newsletters. I also stewarded media outreach initiatives, gaining coverage across newspapers, magazines, online media, and radio shows.

Guiding a talented communications team, I headed media relations initiatives to secure press coverage nationwide. I regularly interfaced with senior staff, the press, and the president/founder, Reverend Al Sharpton. I directed panels, programs, and special events for the annual four-day convention with attendance of more than 7,000 delegates and a keynote address by President Barack Obama. I also led the production of National Action to the Realize the Dream rally and march, attended by over 200,000 people. Additionally, I led branding programs including National Youth Initiatives, Education for a Better America, Stop & Frisk, Stand Your Ground, Shop & Frisk, National Gun Violence Awareness, Legal Nights, Trayvon Martin 100-City rallies, Voting Rights tour, HIV Awareness tour, and more.