Bridgeport, CT— Today, Mayor Ganim announced that he is reorganizing and filling several key positions within city government, in addition to making several small changes within city departments. Among these changes are the following appointments: 

Communications Director – Danielle Wedderburn

For the past year, Wedderburn has served in the Ganim Administration as the Press Secretary in the Office of Communications. In that role, Wedderburn was primarily focused on written and media communications for the City of Bridgeport, as well as managed the City’s various social media platforms. A lifelong resident of Bridgeport, Wedderburn graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a B.A. in English and earned an M.A. in Broadcast Journalism & Media Production from Sacred Heart University. Wedderburn will now serve as the City’s Communications Director.

Director of Public Information – Tia Josef 

For the past two years, Josef has served in the Ganim Administration as Director of Communications. In that role, Josef oversaw the rollout of the City’s new marketing campaign and the launch of the new city website. Prior to her time in Bridgeport, Josef served as Executive Secretary to Mayor O’Leary of Waterbury. She also serves as a Board Member and Secretary of the Kennedy Collective and earned her B.A. in Organizational Communication from Southern Connecticut State University. Josef will now serve as Director of Public Information, and will run point on communications involving the Police Department, Fire Department, and Emergency Operations.

Project Manager (American Rescue Plan Administrator) – Anthony Paoletto

Paoletto has served in the Ganim Administration in various capacities, most recently as a Special Projects Manager for the Office of the Mayor & Communications Office. Previously, Paoletto worked in Health Department helping to coordinate the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizing over 350 vaccine clinics resulting in over 30,000 shots administered to Bridgeport residents. In 2015 at the age of 18, Anthony was elected to the Bridgeport City Council, becoming the youngest local elected official in the state. Paoletto is a lifelong Bridgeport, as well as a volunteer for several local organizations including the Barnum Festival, the Columbus Day Parade, and the Bridgeport Police Activities League. Paoletto will now take over administration of the American Rescue Plan for the duration of the grant. 

Project Manager in the Chief Administrative Office – Nikka Olofson 

Olofson has served the City of Bridgeport since 2020 administering the City’s American Rescue Plan program. In that role, Olofson competently led the effort to administer tens of millions of dollars to non-profits working throughout the city to address the economic effects of COVID-19. She also successfully implemented a Small Business Expansion grant program and Storefront Improvement grant program that deployed millions of dollars to hundreds of Bridgeport businesses during the height of the pandemic. Olofson will now work on important projects and initiatives in the Chief Administrative Office. 

Director of the Mayor’s Initiative for Re-Entry Affairs – Toshirea Jackson

Jackson currently serves as a Project Longevity Care Coordinator for Career Resources, Inc. In that role, Jackson serves a caseload of over 150 individuals who are formerly incarcerated due to violent offenses and are at high risk for recidivism. She is also a member of Public Allies—a non-profit that focuses on leadership development, social justice issues, and equity. Additionally, Jackson is a volunteer group facilitator at Homebridge Ventures where she facilitates groups focused on entrepreneurship, social-emotional intelligence, and resiliency. Jackson is a formerly incarcerated individual who is passionate about helping others navigate the challenges regarding reintegration of ex-offenders into the community. Jackson will serve as the new Director of the M.I.R.A. Program.