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Aneesa McMillan Joins GIFFORDS as Communications Director

Washington DC — Today, GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, announced that Aneesa McMillan is joining GIFFORDS as its communications director. In this new role, McMillan will serve as a key member of the organization’s communications team. Prior to joining GIFFORDS, she served as deputy executive director at Priorities USA where she led communications and voting rights efforts for more than four years.

Peter Ambler, GIFFORDS Co-Founder and Executive Director: 

“Gabby and I are thrilled to welcome Aneesa to GIFFORDS as our new communications director. Aneesa is one of the leading political communicators in the country and as we head into 2024 we’re excited to have her spearheading our political communications during this critical election. Gun violence prevention is a top issue for voters and GIFFORDS is dedicated to electing gun safety candidates up and down the ballot with the help of Aneesa.”

Aneesa McMillan, GIFFORDS Communications Director:

“I am honored to join GIFFORDS at such a critical time. Gun violence is an epidemic that has affected every single community in our country. We need bold action to address this crisis and I’m ecstatic to bring my talents to GIFFORDS to help them spread their message. 2024 is a critical election year and I look forward to working alongside Gabby and GIFFORDS to amplify and elect gun safety champions.” 

About Aneesa

McMillan previously served as deputy executive director at Priorities USA, leading communications and voting rights efforts for more than four years. She also served as communications advisor to former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, assisting with the development of his communications strategy and helping recruit national influencers to support his policy initiatives. During the course of her career, McMillan has worked with the country’s top progressive leaders to effectively develop and deliver their messaging. 

She began her career as a reporter in her home state of Alabama. She went on to serve as press secretary to congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Ala.). For almost five years, she worked to establish Rep. Sewell as a national voice on voting and civil rights. After her time with Rep. Sewell, McMillan joined US Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) presidential campaign as the South Carolina communications director. She was promoted to his national team and managed national surrogates while continuing to support and lead communications efforts. At the end of the Sanders presidential campaign, she worked briefly with a pro-Hillary Clinton Super PAC before becoming deputy communications director for former congressman Keith Ellison’s (D-Minn.) bid for Democratic National Committee chair. McMillan is a cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science and served as a reporter for The Crimson White. She also holds a master’s degree in public administration.

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Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.

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