Kristen Grennan

Kristen Grennan is the Senior Director of Communications for the New York City Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, where she leads outreach and messaging strategies on housing, health, and benefits access for millions of New Yorkers. She has also overseen the communications for several major citywide initiatives, including NYC Census 2020 and Ranked Choice Voting, and managed the official NYC Mayor’s Office account under Mayor Bill De Blasio, integrating communications, operations, and community engagement during times of heightened public need. 

Drawing on a decade of experience in government, media, and public affairs, Professor Grennan specializes in crisis response, stakeholder management, and interagency communications. Her work has spanned emergencies from natural disasters to public health crises, with a focus on balancing reputational, operational, and legal considerations.

Professor Grennan graduated from Binghamton University with a BA in History and French, and from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs with an MPA focused on human rights advocacy. She is also currently an evening J.D. candidate at New York Law School, where she focuses on corporate law and governance. She brings to the classroom a practitioner’s perspective on how leadership, law, and strategy intersect during moments of crisis.