To: Wellesley Faculty and Staff
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: Announcing Wellesley’s New Chief Communications Officer
Date: June 18, 2019
I am delighted to announce that Wellesley has selected Tara M. Murphy as the College’s next chief communications officer. Tara will serve as our principal advisor on all communications-related matters, lead the development and implementation of an internal and external communications strategy, and oversee a strong communications operation and team. As a senior leadership team member, Tara will be a strategic partner and contributor in support of key academic and College priorities, initiatives, and opportunities.
Tara is exceptionally well qualified to serve Wellesley in this critical position. She worked most recently as executive vice president of Weber Shandwick, a global public relations firm, where she was a key strategist across major industries, including higher education. Tara’s prior experience includes eight years in broadcast journalism, during which she held a number of senior editorial positions at WBUR National Public Radio in Boston. Prior to her work in public radio, Tara served in the second Clinton administration as the director of public affairs for the national service program AmeriCorps and its umbrella organization, the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Tara has a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College.
Wellesley selected Tara after conducting a national search that yielded a pool of talented and highly qualified candidates. I’d like to thank the search committee members, who were instrumental in bringing Tara to Wellesley: Callie Crossley ’73, Michael Jeffries, Karen Petrulakis, Ravi Ravishanker, Carolyn Slaboden, and Joy St. John.
Tara lives in Roslindale with her husband and stepdaughter, Isabel. She is an active board member of the Greater Boston YMCA and strongly supports its mission of youth empowerment, promoting health and wellness, and strengthening communities.
Please join me in welcoming Tara to campus on June 24.
