J. Peter Donald

J. Peter Donald is a leading public relations professional in New York City and the founder and managing director of Arena Advisory Group. He has extensive experience in crisis, reputation management, media, and public affairs. 

Peter previously served as assistant police commissioner for the NYPD, where he oversaw all communications and public affairs. He advised the police commissioner, mayor and city leaders on perception and reputation issues facing the nation’s largest department, with 50,000 employees and a five billion dollar budget. Peter oversaw communications for key department initiatives and crises, including the introduction of a new use-of-force policy, the city’s response to the Chelsea bombing and other terrorist attacks, a Papal visit and change management for the appointment of a new police commissioner. Before being promoted to assistant police commissioner, Donald served as NYPD’s director of communication and previously was spokesman for the FBI’s largest office in New York. 

At the FBI, Peter managed the Bureau’s reputation and media strategy for issues including the renewed search for Etan Patz who disappeared in Manhattan in 1979, the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and the bureau’s investigation into the attack on Ambassador Christopher Stevens in Libya. Peter also led the rollout of a public service announcement with Michael Douglas to raise awareness about insider trading on Wall Street. Aiming to better prepare for the next crisis, Peter put the FBI’s first field office on Twitter. 

In addition to the roles above, Peter served as Head of Communications and Policy at Citizen, a public safety-focused startup; worked for a leading public relations firm in Washington, D.C. focused on crisis management and; began his career on Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. 

Peter has been recognized by PRWeek’s 40 under 40 list and by his alma mater, Catholic University and Northfield Mount Hermon. He appears on television as a communications expert and has authored op-eds for The Washington Post, New York Daily News and the Huffington Post.   

Peter is also currently a principal at Emissary Partners, a global special situations firm for family offices and institutional investors and sister practice to Arena. Peter holds a B.A. from The Catholic University of America. Peter is an avid cyclist and rides the Pan-Mass Challenge every year across Massachusetts.