Biden announces White House digital team

President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced members of his digital team that will be in charge of reaching Americans through online platforms once his administration takes office.

The White House digital operation will be composed of 12 Democratic operatives who have experience in roles on Biden’s presidential campaign, transition team or the inaugural committee.

Brendan Cohen, who worked as the deputy director of editorial on Biden’s presidential campaign, will serve as platform manager. Rob Flaherty, who currently serves as digital director for Biden’s transition team, will continue the same role in the White House.

Jonathan Hebert will serve as video director, Jaime Lopez as director of platforms, and Carahna Magwood as creative director. Maha Ghandour, who serves as digital partnerships manager on the Presidential Inaugural Committee, will work in the same position at the White House in order to extend Biden’s reach beyond the official White House social platforms. Aisha Shah, currently digital partnerships manager on the transition team, will work alongside Ghandour as partnerships manager.

Abbey Pitzer will serve as designer, Olivia Raisner as traveling content director, both Rebecca Rinkevich and Christian Tom as deputy directors of digital strategy, and Cameron Trimble as director of digital engagement.

The team will come on board as digital communications take on outsized importance in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and as Americans increasingly engage online.

“Communicating transparently and honestly with the American people is one of the most important responsibilities of a President,” Biden said in a statement. “This team of diverse experts has a wide range of experience in digital strategy and will help connect the White House to the American people in new and innovative ways.”

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris said the incoming administration is building a team “to speak to the lived experiences of all Americans.”

“With much of our lives online, it is critical for this administration’s digital efforts to be inclusive and extensive,” Harris said.

Biden’s digital footprint, at least on Twitter, is expected to be dramatically different than that of President Trump, who often uses tweets to voice complaints or unilaterally announce policy decisions.

The new names add to a growing list of staffers who will enter the White House after Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20.

Biden has already named his chief of staff and domestic policy and national security advisers, as well as members of his legal and communications teams. Biden has also announced more than half of his nominees to serve in Cabinet positions.