Esther Ongeri serves as Chief of Staff at Civitas Public Affairs Group, where she partners with the firm's leadership team to drive strategic initiatives, strengthen internal operations, and advance cross-functional priorities across Civitas and Orchestra.

‍

With more than a decade of experience spanning the U.S. Senate, nonprofit advocacy, presidential campaigns and transitions, diplomacy, and executive leadership in government, Ongeri has built a career advising senior leaders and leading complex operations at the highest levels of federal, state, and local government.

‍

Before joining Civitas, Ongeri served as Deputy Chief of Staff in Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Office of Appointments following her work as Appointments Manager for the Mayor's transition. In those roles, she advised senior leadership on executive appointments and helped build the systems and operational infrastructure that supported the incoming administration.

‍

Previously, Ongeri spent more than four years at the U.S. Department of State, where she served in leadership roles spanning policy, diplomacy, and operations across the Office of the Chief of Protocol and the White House Liaison's Office. During her tenure, she supported policy initiatives for the Secretary of State, directed diplomatic engagement between U.S. officials and foreign dignitaries, and coordinated presidential travel, global summits, and state visits. She also oversaw strategic priorities and day-to-day operations in support of the Chief of Protocol.

‍

Earlier in her career, Ongeri served on the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition and as Director of Special Projects for the Biden for President campaign, where she advised the Campaign Manager and led executive operations for the campaign's national headquarters. She began her career in the U.S. Senate before joining Everytown for Gun Safety, where she supported advocacy efforts to advance gun violence prevention policy.

‍

Ongeri earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Law from Saint Peter's University. A proud New Jersey native, she continues to call the Garden State home.