Framingham Mayor Spicer Announces Two Big Hires

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Via office of Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer: The mayor announced that Jacquetta Van Zandt has been hired as the Senior Advisor of External Relations.

Van Zandt has been a respected voice at the table to aid in making significant decisions that impact the landscape of politics. Prior to coming onboard in Framingham, Van Zandt was director of constituent Services and Community Engagement with State Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg. In her role, and as a key figure in the executive staff to Treasurer Goldberg, she utilized her relationships across the commonwealth to navigate resources for constituents and was a close advisor to the Treasurer. She has worked for many elected officials and is thrilled about the future of Framingham.

Senior Advisor for External Relations provides an essential service in the furtherance of government cooperation on the local, state and federal level. This role is most important in opportunities to build and cultivate relationships between the city and other elected officials. To do so, this role working in conjunction with city officials will be able to take advantage of the relationships the city has developed, capitalize on the existing infrastructures and relationships within City Hall, and to build partnerships at all levels of government.

Spicer has selected Nadia Ullman as the Senior Policy Advisor. Ms. Ullman has a master’s degree in Government from Harvard University with a background in immigration policy. Ms. Ullman has served the City of Framingham as a Town Meeting Member, Member of the Standing Committee on Ways and Means, Standing Committee on Education and a Member of the Community Development and Fair Housing Committee; and has a keen interest in economic development and revitalization.

The senior policy advisor plays a crucial role in coordination with local community leaders to access resources from the Mayor’s office. Tasked with the branding of Framingham as a first class city, the senior policy advisor, through facilitating policy discussions and dedicated outreach help to further the agenda of the Mayor and her vision to make Framingham a more inclusive and business friendly environment.

“I am looking forward to working with both Ms. Van Zandt and Ms. Ullman in building bridges and relationships with our local, state and federal partners,” said Spicer in the statement.

Photo Credit: Charlene Arsenault