President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Form Presidential Inaugural Committee
Initial Senior Leadership Team Announced
Online Presence and Store Unveiled at BidenInaugural.org and @BidenInaugural
WASHINGTON — Today, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are forming a Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) to organize activities surrounding their swearing-in on January 20, 2021, announcing the initial senior leadership team who will lead PIC and unveiling its online presence.
The team announced today to lead PIC includes:
• Tony Allen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer*
• Maju Varghese, Executive Director
• Erin Wilson, Deputy Executive Director
• Yvanna Cancela, Deputy Executive Director
*Serving in personal capacity
“I’ve known and loved the Biden family for 25 years and am deeply humbled to help organize the historic inauguration of a good and decent patriot during an unprecedented time in our country. As the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden alongside Kamala Harris, the first woman of color to be elected Vice President of the United States, will work hard for all Americans and lead us towards our nation’s highest calling — ‘a more perfect union,’” said Tony Allen, PIC Chief Executive Officer. “This year's inauguration will look different amid the pandemic, but we will honor the American inaugural traditions and engage Americans across the country while keeping everybody healthy and safe.”
“It is an honor to help lead the team that will plan the inaugural activities for President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris while keeping their commitment to protecting the health and safety of Americans and demonstrating the strength and resilience of our nation,” said Maju Varghese, PIC Executive Director. “This historic inauguration will serve as the launching pad for the Biden-Harris Administration to get to work on day one and beat the pandemic, build back our economy better, and unify our country.”
Additionally, the PIC is also unveiling its website at BidenInaugural.org, which includes a web store with exclusive inaugural merchandise and collectables. The PIC is also launching its social media presence on Instagram and Twitter under the handle @BidenInaugural where Americans can visit for the latest news and information about the inauguration.
The PIC will work closely with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) to coordinate all activities surrounding the 59th inaugural ceremonies, prioritizing keeping people safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19 while engaging all Americans.
Additional details about the PIC and inaugural activities will be announced in the coming days and weeks.
SENIOR TEAM BIOGRAPHIES
Tony Allen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer
Tony Allen, Ph.D., is the President of Delaware State University (DSU), one of the nation’s premiere public Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Before being appointed President, Dr. Allen served as Executive Vice President and Provost at DSU and previously led Bank of America’s corporate reputation group. He is also the Founding President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and co-Founder of Public Allies Delaware. In the 90’s, Allen worked in then-Senator Biden’s office as a Special Assistant and Speechwriter.
Maju Varghese, Executive Director
Maju Varghese was Chief Operating Officer and Senior Advisor on the Biden-Harris campaign from the primaries through the general, overseeing the campaign’s day-to-day operations and leading the entire campaign through an unprecedented shift to remote working. He previously served in the Obama White House in various roles, including Assistant to the President for Management and Administration and Deputy Director of Advance. He has also worked as the Chief Operating Officer at The Hub Project and a Senior Advisor at the law firm Dentons.
Erin Wilson, Deputy Executive Director
Erin Wilson served as the Biden-Harris campaign’s National Political Director throughout the primary and general elections, the senior staff member responsible for relationships with hundreds of elected officials and leaders across the country. Previously, Wilson was a senior aide in Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey’s office, most recently serving as his State Director and Senior Advisor to his 2018 reelection. She is also a Hillary for America and Democratic National Committee alumna.
Yvanna Cancela, Deputy Executive Director
Yvanna Cancelea serves as a Nevada State Senator and was one of Joe Biden’s earliest elected supporters, endorsing him the day he announced his campaign. Cancela was a senior advisor in Nevada during the primary election, helping steer Biden’s comeback, as well as in the general election to secure another victory in the Silver State. Previously, Cancela was Executive Director of the Immigrant Workers Citizenship Project and Political Director at the Culinary Union in Las Vegas.
