The Managed Funds Association (MFA), the trade association for the hedge fund and global alternative asset management industry, has appointed Raffi Williams as its vice president of communications. 

In his new role, Williams will work to advance MFA’s agenda on key policy issues and educate the public about the value of the hedge fund and alternative asset management industry. 

Williams joins MFA from Edelman Smithfield, where he served as Vice President in the financial communications team. Edelman Smithfield is a distinct practice within Edelman, one of the world’s largest PR companies. 

At Edelman Smithfield, Williams developed and executed communications strategies for financial services companies and trade associations. Prior to Edelman Smithfield, he served as the Acting Director of Communications for the Federal Housing Finance Agency and as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He has also worked on Capitol Hill and for political campaigns. In 2015, he was named to Forbes “30 Under 30.”