NEW YORK—Hill+Knowlton Strategies has named Ellen Moran, former White House communications director for President Obama and former executive director of Emily’s List, as executive vice president and the general manager of firm’s office in Washington, DC.

Moran joins H+K Strategies from a sister agency, Dewey Square Group, which she joined in 2012 as a principal bringing more than two decades of experience working in the highest levels of government, politics and communications. Prior to joining DSG, Moran served as chief of staff and chief advisor to Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke after serving the Obama administration in 2009 as the White House communications director.

Before joining the White House staff, Moran served for four years as executive director of Emily’s List, the nation’s largest resource for Democratic women candidates.

“A constantly changing political culture, active regulatory climate, and rapidly evolving communication landscape are just some of the major challenges our clients increasingly face in Washington,” says Mike Coates, president and CEO of H+K Americas.

The Washington general manager role was previously held by Howard Opinsky, who in late 2014 moved to a role leading the firm’s East Coast region, in addition to being head of the firm’s corporate and crisis practice. Moran will report to Opinsky.