Jann Mirchandani
Communications, advocacy, and government relations for Westchester
I help mission-driven organizations make their case clearly: to the public, the press, and the people who make policy.
For more than 25 years I’ve run Westchester Marketing Café, a certified woman-owned communications firm serving small businesses and nonprofits. Since 2022 I’ve also served as Consulting Director of Communications for Open Door Care Network, a community health center network, and I’ve built and led town-wide campaigns for Yorktown Town Supervisor. My early career in financial services taught me to turn complex information into something people can act on.
What I bring
Strategic communications.
Messaging, op-eds, press releases, newsletters, and social content that move people to act.
Advocacy and government relations.
Translating policy into plain language, engaging elected officials, and showing up in Albany and at the town board.
Coalition building.
Bringing together residents, businesses, nonprofits, and officials across different priorities and party lines.
Financial and operational oversight.
Budget analysis, multi-year planning, and nonprofit fiscal governance, grounded in a financial services background.
Selected work
HEALTH CARE · ADVOCACY
Open Door Care Network
As Consulting Director of Communications since 2022, I’ve guided communications for Open Door Family Medical Center and Family Services of Westchester through their merger. I took part in NACHC policy calls and joined Open Door’s delegation to Albany for CHCANYS Advocacy Day. I also partnered with the development team on Foundation and capital campaign communications.
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
Scouting America: closing a $640,000 budget gap
As Vice Board Chair of Operations for the Greater Hudson Valley Council, I led the Program Fee Task Force that closed a $640,000 shortfall while keeping full programming for 7,500 youth. I’m also the first woman to serve as the Council’s Commissioner.
ORGANIZING · YORKTOWN, 2022–2026
Town-wide campaign operation
I built a campaign operation from the ground up and founded Community First, an independent local party line. I knocked on more than 6,100 doors, recruited and managed volunteers, and wrote every piece of content. Along the way I built working relationships with residents, local press, community leaders, and county partners across Westchester.
SMALL BUSINESS · 25+ YEARS
Westchester Marketing Café
I run communications audits, build WordPress sites, and manage email and social strategies with measurable KPIs for small businesses and nonprofits. I also train client teams to manage their own digital channels.
Leadership and service
- Scouting America, Greater Hudson Valley CouncilExecutive Board, Vice Board Chair of Operations, and Council Commissioner (2019–present)
- Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of CommerceBoard Member and founding chair of the Equity and Diversity Committee (2020–2025)
- Black Diamonds Academic SuccessBoard Member (2021–2023)
- Ossining InnovatesMentor and Final Pitch Judge (2020–2023)
- Leadership WestchesterGraduate, 2018
Affiliations: Business Council of Westchester · Westchester Women’s Agenda · Association of Development Officers · Volunteer New York!
Writing
I write about local government, budgets, and how communities can work better: plain-language commentary for Westchester readers.
Let’s talk
I’m always glad to connect with organizations working to make Westchester stronger. Whether it’s a communications challenge, an advocacy effort, or a new role, I’d like to hear from you.