Alfred Ironside named vice president for communications

Alfred Ironside Image: Melanie Gonick, MIT Former VP of global communications at the Ford Foundation brings 20 years of experience advancing the missions of international organizations. Alfred Ironside, a communications expert with broad experience at global organizations working for social change, has been named vice president for communications, effective Feb. The appointment was announced today in a letter to the community from MIT President L. Rafael Reif. "As MIT's chief communications officer, Alfred will advise senior leaders across MIT and shape our overall communications strategy, including media relations, crisis communications, marketing and branding, as well as digital strategy and development. Our communications team is eager for his arrival, and I know our whole community will benefit from his scope, strategic insight, and personal wisdom," Reif wrote. Reporting to Reif as a member of the president's senior team,  Ironside will oversee the Institute's Office of Communications , which comprises the MIT News Office, Communications Initiatives, Reference Publications, and CopyTech. "More than ever before, organizations of every size and scope have an obligation to be open and transparent about what they do and what they stand for, and to engage with diverse audiences in the co-creation of knowledge and impact," Ironside says.