WASHINGTON — Civil rights specialist Kiara Pesante Haughton has joined BerlinRosen as senior VP of issue advocacy.

In the newly created position, Pesante Haughton will lead work for clients centered around the likes of policy change and equity and justice. BerlinRosen represents a number of advocacy organizations including Families Belong Together, MomsRising, UNICEF USA and the Vera Institute of Justice and Youth First.

Advancing criminal legal reform, voting rights, equity in education and workers’ rights have been the focuses of Pesante Haughton’s decade-long career in communications.

Most recently, she served as director of communications at nonprofit Civil Rights Corps, which promotes justice and equity through legal system reforms. She previously worked as the communications director for the Democrats on the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Labor.

“I’m excited to join the firm at this pivotal moment in history. I look forward to applying my expertise to empower organizations to drive change and help them advance the movements for justice and equity,” Pesante Haughton said. “BerlinRosen is an established leader in partnering with clients to drive narrative impact and policy change. I am inspired to build on the standout work the firm is doing during the pandemic and the movement for racial justice. That’s why I knew this was the right time to join and help lead the team.”

Stephanie Mueller, executive VP of issue advocacy, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Kiara to our team. Her leadership is more valuable than ever to support our partners on the frontlines of the intersecting global crises around racial injustice, public health and economic insecurity.”