Desiree Peterkin Bell

Honored by PR Week’s “40 under 40", recognized by the Philadelphia Tribune as a “One of Philadelphia’s Most Influential African-American Women” and by Black Enterprise as a “triple threat”, Desiree currently manages a number of clients and serves as a Special Adviser to the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC).

Desiree most recently served in two appointed positions for the City of Philadelphia: Director of Communications and Strategy and City Representative. As Director of Communications she was responsible for creating and leading local, regional, national and international traditional and non-traditional media strategies for the City of Philadelphia and former Mayor Michael A. Nutter. As City Representative, Desiree served as the Executive Director of the country’s largest Fourth of July celebration, Wawa Welcome America! She also served as the only African American Female Race Director in the country for the City’s award-winning GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon.

Additionally, she served as the lead in drafting and negotiating the successful bid for Philadelphia to host the DNC. Desiree also led the strategic communications for the City of Philadelphia, in the execution and production of Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival, Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit and the hosting of Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia – the largest event ever hosted by a North American city. Prior to assuming the dual Administration posts, she served as Senior Adviser for Communications for Obama for America –Pennsylvania, leading the development and execution of a statewide communications strategy.

Desiree also served as the Director of Communications for Mayor Cory A. Booker in Newark, New Jersey. Desiree conceived and built the communications infrastructure for Newark and developed the social media strategy for the City and Mayor Booker.

Prior to joining Mayor Booker’s team, Desiree served in the administration of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as Vice President of Government Affairs for the city’s marketing development corporation, NYC Marketing. Desiree had previously served as the Supervising Legislative Representative where she shepherded three historic pieces of legislation through to final passage and public law: NYC Smoke Free Air Act of 2002, Tort Reform and the Film Tax Credit.

Desiree is a former National Urban Fellow who was selected by Mayor Bart Peterson, Indianapolis, Indiana, to serve in his administration.