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| Sasha Damouni Ellis |
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, which develops therapeutics to treat orphan seizure disorders, has appointed Sasha Damouni Ellis as vice president, investor relations and corporate communications. Damouni Ellis joins Marinus from Bayer US, where she was director of external communications and media relations, driving external brand-building strategies in therapeutic areas of oncology, hemophilia, cardio-pulmonary, and women’s health. She was previously a senior healthcare journalist at Bloomberg News, as well as launching and serving as global editor of BioPharm Insight, formerly a division of the Financial Times Group. In her new role, Damouni Ellis will lead strategic investor relations and communications programs, and will work closely with investors, employees, advocacy groups, patient organizations and the media.
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| Joe Hodas |
Wana Brands, which produces cannabis edibles, has hired Joe Hodas as chief marketing officer, a newly created position. Hodas was previously CEO at Gofire, which develops hardware and software Internet protocols for plant-based medicine and mainstream healthcare companies. Before that, he was chief operating officer at General Cannabis Corporation. Hodas has also been senior director of corporate communications at Frontier Airlines, and has worked at Vladimir Jones and Ogilvy Public Relations. At Wana, he is tasked with working to generate revenue by creating marketing campaigns for the organization, as well as supporting new market expansion, partnerships, government relations and innovation within the company.
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| Jon Harmon |
Virtas Partners has brought on Jon Harmon as director. Harmon previously served as vice president at executive search and leadership development firm Heidrick & Struggles, where he led global communications. Before that he was vice president, communications at commercial and military truck and engine manufacturer Navistar-International. Earlier in his career, he served in a variety of roles at Ford Motor Company, including head of communications for Ford Truck. At Virtas, Harmon will lead the firm’s strategic communications services. “Jon’s exceptional experience in crisis communications and reputation management will be especially valuable to our clients during these times of great social, business and economic uncertainty,” said Virtas co-founder and managing partner Tim Czmiel.
Seven Letter hires Allie Raffa, who was most recently White House correspondent for NBC News, as a senior director... Points of Light, an organization founded by President George H.W. Bush that is dedicated to volunteer service, names Jeff Zanelli as CMO... Frontieras North America, an energy and environmental technology company, appoints Nora Shepard as VP of communications.
Alcoa has named Emily Olson, who has more than 20 years of experience working in capital-intensive industries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, EVP & chief external affairs officer, effective April 6.
Longacre Square Partners has named Humza Vanderman partner and head of its London outpost as the financial communications firm expands into Europe.
FGS Global adds former Pfizer EVP and chief corporate affairs officer Sally Susman to its global executive board as an independent member, effective April 1... Codeword brings on Kim Baffi, who was previously Salesforce VP and creative director, as executive creative director... Amperity, an AI-powered customer data cloud, appoints Bridget Perry as CMO.
MOIA America, a Volkswagen Group of America subsidiary that develops and tests autonomous, all-electric ride-pooling vehicles, names Marcus Gamo head of U.S. communications... Continental Strategy brings on Francisco Petrirena as VP in its Miami office. Petrirena was previously chief of staff to former Miami city manager Art Noriega... MSQ Sport + Entertainment brings on Lauren Weil as EVP, Max Hirsch as VP of sponsorship, and Brooke Losee as VP.
