Russell Dubner
Russell Dubner

Edelman has elevated US chief Russell Dubner to global vice chairman and head of the just-launched Edelman Trust Institute.

US COO Lisa Osborne Ross succeeds Dubner as leader of the 13-office group that employs 2,360 people.

Dubner, who served as US president/CEO for the past six years, will oversee corporate development, encompassing M&A and venture investments, alliances and partnerships, as well as the ETI.

Reporting to CEO Richard Edelman, he will chair the global investment and innovation committees and continue to oversee DJE Holdings’ specialist firms: Revere, Salutem and Edifi.

Edelman said the firm’s post-COVID-19 agenda will be focused on reinvention, focused investment and bold entrepreneurialism.

Lisa Ross
Lisa Osborne Ross

“This is the perfect moment to elevate Russell’s talents as an innovator, leader and natural investor,” said Edelman. “Russell will play a pivotal role in this transformative chapter for the firm as we leapfrog forward in data and analytics and advance trust as a key lever for businesses, brands and leaders.”

Ross, who joined Edelman four years ago, led its COVID-19 task force and was the driving force behind the creation of the firm’s racial justice task force set up after the murder of George Floyd. The task force has counselled more than 400 clients on DEI and multicultural outreach engagements.

Ross will report to global president/COO Matthew Harrington, who called her “a champion of our people, and expansive in her ability to provide senior counsel to clients and drive operations.”