There might be a budget issue in the morning, followed by a school‑funding
controversy, a meet‑and‑greet at a ribbon‑cutting, a lawsuit — and literally a forest
fire, flood or snowstorm. All in one day.
After eight years of serving as Gov. Phil Murphy’s communications director and chief
strategy officer — the apex of a more than 15-year career in public service — you might
think Mahen Gunaratna would want to move to a slower-paced environment.
You’d be wrong.
When Gunaratna announced last week that he was taking a job with MikeWorldWide,
an integrated and independent public affairs agency with offices around the world, he
said he did so because he loved the speed of the firm.
“I like to stay busy,” he said.
Gunaratna certainly considered other public service opportunities, but he said MWW
founder Michael Kempner and Carreen Winters (a partner and president of the firm’s
corporate reputation and advisory committee) made a compelling case that the firm
could provide a similar setup.
“There are certain distinct parallels, and there are also stark differences,” Gunaratna
said. “In government, or when you’re working on a campaign, you’re dealing with a lot of crisis comms because issues emerge on any given day. It could be an issue related to reputation, to the brand, to public safety or to litigation.”
Gunaratna, who previously worked for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio,
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and on the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton,
feels that experience will serve him well at MWW.
“You have to be able to push on multiple platforms concurrently,” he said. “That’s very
similar to the work you experience at an agency, where you’re dealing with a range of
clients across sectors.
“You need to stay one step ahead. You don’t have the luxury of hitting the pause button in government or on campaigns, and I certainly won’t have that luxury at the firm.”
Gunaratna, who will serve as the executive vice president for public affairs at the firm,
took a few moments to chat with BINJE about the role. Here’s more of the conversation,
edited slightly for clarity.
BINJE: Talk more about moving from the Murphy administration to MWW.
Gunaratna: It felt like a very natural transition. My years with Gov. Murphy were
incredibly fulfilling — we dealt with everything from the COVID‑19 pandemic to major
policy initiatives to nearly 2,500 bills signed into law. What Michael and Carreen laid out
was a compelling case for why now was the moment to take what I’ve learned and use
it in a different setting.
BINJE: You’re taking a global role at MWW. How much did the governor’s extensive
overseas trips prepare you for this position?
Gunaratna: Those trips were incredibly valuable. Many of the issues clients face today
— tariffs, regulatory pressures, supply‑chain challenges — are global in nature. My
experience traveling extensively with Gov. Murphy to Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other regions showed me how interconnected these markets are.
BINJE: And how business is truly global.
Gunaratna: Exactly. We weren’t just meeting foreign officials — we were bringing New
Jersey businesses with us, helping them connect with opportunities in Germany, Israel,
India, and so on.
Those companies operate across borders, and the issues they face in those markets
mirror what they face at home. That experience showed me how markets intersect, and
that’s exactly the lens you need in a global public‑affairs role. Companies in New
Jersey often have just as much at stake overseas as they do here.
BINJE: What drew you specifically to MWW’s model?
Gunaratna: Independence was a big factor. A lot of firms today are owned by holding
companies or private equity. That’s one model, but it comes with pressures that can
affect the work. MWW doesn’t have that. Being independent allows us to focus entirely
on clients and employees, not quarterly expectations.
We maintain a low fence between different practice areas — health care, financial
services, consumer brands, corporate reputation, sports and entertainment, digital and
creative, crisis and issue work — and across offices. So, even though I’ll be based in New Jersey, I’ll be collaborating with offices in London, New York, Los Angeles or
Mexico City.
Everything is integrated. That structure is a huge strength.
BINJE: You’re joining the firm following the passing of longtime MWW leader Bill
Murray. How do you view stepping into the organization at this moment?
Gunaratna: Bill played a singular role at the firm. His contributions over more than 35
years helped shape MWW into what it is today. No one can fill his shoes. I have a
different role, but I hope to honor his legacy by bringing the same level of dedication
and vision to the work.
His loss is felt every day, and if I can achieve even a portion of what he built, that would
be an incredible success.
