Danielle Filson will be Mayor Bill de Blasio’s next press secretary, NY1 has learned, beginning immediately.

Filson has most recently served as the Education Department press secretary, running the agency’s press office for a tumultuous seven months that included the full reopening of the nation’s largest school system this September, and the continuing rollout of a vaccine mandate amid court challenges. 

“Danielle and I have worked closely together to reopen our schools and deliver a strong, equitable education for kids across New York City,” de Blasio said in a statement. “I know firsthand the incredible work she has accomplished at the Department of Education and I am excited for Danielle to join the City Hall team and help New Yorkers as we drive a recovery for all of us and defeat the pandemic.”

Filson, who briefed the mayor often in her role with the DOE, will be taking over for outgoing press secretary Bill Neidhardt, who departs City Hall with just three months left in de Blasio’s second and final term.

Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter heaped praise on Filson for her work leading the agency’s press response at a time of intense interest in what was happening in city schools. 

“She has been one of my closest advisors and an integral leader who worked night and day to ensure schools and young people took center stage and the public had accurate, timely information as we emerged from one of the most difficult periods of our history,” Porter said.

Filson joined the DOE press office in 2018, and took the top job of press secretary in March. Previously, she worked for Uber - a political foe of de Blasio’s - and for PR firms BerlinRosen and SKDKnickerbocker. She called the new job an honor.

“Working alongside Chancellor Porter as Press Secretary for the nation’s largest school district has been the honor of a lifetime,” she said. “I look forward to joining another top notch team, advancing Mayor de Blasio’s progressive agenda, and building on New York City’s recovery and comeback from COVID-19.”

Several other personnel changes come along with the move. Mitch Schwartz, previously the City Hall director of rapid response, has been promoted to first deputy press secretary. At the DOE, Katie O’Hanlon will serve as acting press secretary, working alongside deputies Nathaniel Styer and Sarah Casasnovas.