Desiree Peterkin Bell

Activist, Concerned citizen, Connector, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Event planner, Idea generator, Public servant, Social entrepreneur

Desiree Peterkin Bell is a multi-faceted political and communication strategist that world leaders, visionaries, and change agents turn to when they desire to not only build a rock-solid brand, but an enduring legacy with global impact. As President and CEO of the public affairs firm, DPBell & Associates, she serves her clients by leveraging her hard-won expertise in problem solving, crisis communications, strategic counsel, and brand development. Desiree’s impressive career is one that is defined as being driven by ‘Purpose, Not Position’. From an early age, she was raised to be a self-reliant and critical thinker that always persists through adversity. These skills, along with a potent mix of diligence and discretion, would become the reason why she has served as a trusted advisor to a dynamic group of American cities and leaders for over 20 years. As the Director of Communications and Strategy for the City of Philadelphia and former Mayor Michael Nutter, Director of Communications for Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker, and VP of Government Affairs for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, Desiree’s track record for producing results is undeniable. In these roles, she led initiatives and campaigns that elevated the profiles, awareness, and digital presence of each locale and its respective leader. In 2012, Desiree served as Senior Adviser of Communications for Obama for America - Pennsylvania, overseeing a comprehensive communication strategy that positively impacted the reelection campaign efforts in the battleground state of PA. Additionally, she served as the lead in drafting and negotiating the successful bid for Philadelphia to host the Democratic National Convention that took place in July 2016. During the Convention, Desiree served as a Senior Adviser to the CEO of the DNCC and her team. Desiree recognizes her success as the result of drinking from wells she did not dig. To honor those who have pioneered paths before her, she endeavors to dig wells for those that are to come behind her, through mentorship of young women of color. She regularly gives talks to audiences across the country on her life’s theme of ‘Purpose, Not Position’, and lectures in Urban Communication, a course she developed at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication. Described by those who know her best as passionate, ambitious, and fearless, Desiree is also a loving wife and mom. Keep an eye out for Desiree’s upcoming book collaboration, Women Who Inspire available nationwide on Amazon September 26th of this year.

Being driven by Purpose and Not Position.

Dinners with 20 people who don't look like you, believe what you believe or live where you live.

Communications, Government, Marketing, Politics, Social Media, Strategic Partnerships

Purpose, Not Position I have always been the youngest, brownest often only female at a decision making table. It hasn’t been easy. Those older than me regardless of gender and sometimes especially because of, try to figure me out. How am I at the same table as them? With the same power or in some cases more power and to be so young!? I have been dealing with this my entire professional career. Not luckily, but because I earned it, my principals have always had me at the table, sought my input because I didn’t look like everyone else, I am and my experiences are different. I am driven by purpose not position. That means I operate to make an impact in the world and I’m driven by that everyday. I don’t chase titles, accolades or roles. I was raised by a single mother who is Brooklyn, NY thru and thru. The eldest of three girls, sometimes we had, some days we didn’t. I was taught never to think of myself less than and that when I worked hard there wasn’t anything I couldn’t achieve. But my mom was pragmatic as well. While attending high school in Bensonhurst, a different part of Brooklyn then where my mom was from (Bed Stuy) she and my uncles were chased home from school everyday by young white boys who decided they didn’t belong. So while I knew if I worked hard I could be and do whatever I wanted, my mother’s realities and later mine proved that some chose to be an impediment to that progress. For years I have been talking a lot about those people who will try to stand in your way mainly because of their own insecurities, to try to break you. There are those that will try to test your resolve, but they can’t crush your spirit because you are driven by Purpose. This is the message I share often with young women and girls of color. I share this message for those ladies of color who may find the trials and tribulations of life and the severe insecurities of others to be overwhelming. My message is my own life story. I work so hard because I drink deeply from wells I did not dig, I wasn’t born with privilege, access and resources where things came easy. I have had to work harder, be better, do more. That’s what my mother taught me because someone is always trying to chase you away. But as I share with my young ladies and my lovely daughter, no one can take your power, you are a force to be reckoned with.

Fixing things.