Former Office of Public Affairs Director Helaine Klasky To Direct Global Public Affairs for General Electric

Helaine S. Klasky, who led Yale’s Office of Public Affairs for eight years, has been named director of global public affairs for General Electric (GE).

At Yale, Klasky was also associate vice president and special assistant to the president; she left the University in July.

In her new post, Klasky will lead GE’s efforts to bolster its public affairs capabilities. In addition to overseeing the corporate and global public affairs teams, she will oversee the Executive Communications Program, the corporation’s development pipeline for public affairs, and will act as an adviser to GE’s colleagues around the world.

“It is a source of great pride to Yale that Helaine Klasky, who played a major role in forging the University’s international outreach campaign, was chosen to handle such a significant responsibility for GE,” said President Richard C. Levin. “Although we miss her here at Yale, we wish her well in her new endeavor.”

Prior to coming to Yale, Klasky served as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury and held a similar position at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. She also held a senior position at the U.S. Department of State and worked in the U.S. Senate.

Klasky will take up her new post on Oct. 12, and will be based in Washington, D.C.