NYC Comptroller Lander Appoints Blake Zeff as Deputy Comptroller for Communications and Strategic Initiatives

New York, NY – New York City Comptroller Brad Lander appointed Blake Zeff to the role of Deputy Comptroller for Communications and Strategic Initiatives. As a member of the Comptroller’s leadership team, Zeff will guide the office’s work to promote efficiency and accountability in city government.  

A veteran of New York government and politics, Zeff led communications for U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, served as Communications Director for the New York State Democratic Party and represented the Obama for America campaign as New York State Communications Director. Zeff also served as Director of Communications and Policy for the Office of the New York Attorney General, where he helped found the Conviction Review Unit, the first statewide effort by a law enforcement agency to address wrongful convictions. 

Zeff also has deep experience in journalism as a columnist and editor at Salon, as well as additional bylines in numerous publications such as GQ, Vice, Buzzfeed, The New York Daily News and Politico. For MSNBC, he directed the critically acclaimed documentary, Loan Wolves, on the student debt crisis and has served as an on-air commentator and guest host.  

“New Yorkers look to city government to provide services, share clear information, and address pressing policy problems – and the Comptroller’s office is leading the way to ensure government lives up to those goals. As Deputy Comptroller for Communications and Strategic Initiatives, Blake Zeff will guide our work to inform and connect with New Yorkers in all five boroughs. Blake has spent his career fighting for government accountability and economic justice, and we are extremely excited to welcome him to the team,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. 

Zeff will oversee the day-to-day operations of media, digital, and visual communications across platforms and in all five boroughs for the Office of the New York City Comptroller, and manage an extensive portfolio of initiatives designed to help government deliver for all New Yorkers.  

Zeff started on July 5, 2023 and replaces Naomi Dann as Communications Director, who moved into the role of Senior Advisor.

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