Monica Hassan

Monica Hassan is a communications and public affairs professional with more than a decade of experience. She was reappointed deputy director for the Department of General Services’ (DGS) Office of Public Affairs on Sept. 23, 2021.

She has held the position since June 1, 2017, overseeing the internal and external communications of DGS, one of the most complex and diverse departments in all of California state government. She is the key spokesperson for the department.

Prior to that, she was the Governor-appointed director of External Affairs at California Volunteers, Office of the Governor where she was responsible for overseeing, developing and implementing communication strategies for several programs.

She also worked as public information officer for DGS; legislative coordinator and training program officer for the California Department of Justice; and research analyst and facilities/leasing representative for the California Employment Development Department. 

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento and two notable accomplishments from Purdue University: graduate certificate for Strategic Communication Management, and Master of Science degree with a concentration in Strategic Communication and Public Relations. She also holds a certificate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from University of South Florida.

She is a member of the following organizations:

• Golden Key International Honour Society
• California Association of Public Information Officials
• National Alliance on Mental Illness

She is also co-chair of the National Association of State Chief Administrators' (NASCA) Professional Forum on Communications and Marketing and serves as vice president on the Board of Directors for the Borne Dance Company.