Marj Halperin
Marj Halperin

Hawthorne Strategy Group, the Chicago-based firm founded by former Hill+Knowlton Strategies US COO Gene Reineke, has acquired Marj Halperin Consulting, the 10-year-old shop that serves non-profits and government agencies.

Halperin, who has more than 30 years of journalism, marketing and PR, takes the executive VP slot.

She has worked for former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, ex-Illinois Treasure Pat Quinn, Chicago Public Schools and is Democratic analyst for the WGN-TV’s “political duo” segment.

Halperin also did a nearly 10-year stint as CEO of the League of Chicago Theatres.

“After several months of collaboration, we are excited to bring the MHC team, well-known especially in the non-profit and government sectors for proven communications solutions, to the Hawthorne team,” said Reineke.

Hawthorne also added Wendi Taylor Nations, former World Business Chicago marketing chief, as executive VP. She also worked as senior VP in FleishmanHillard Chicago’s health and wellness group, and managing director at Porter Novelli.