Richard Hatzfeld, Ritesh Patel & Pepe Aguilar
(L to R) Richard Hatzfeld, Ritesh Patel, Pepe Aguilar

Finn Partners has named Richard Hatzfeld senior partner-global health and head of the DC offering, and Ritesh Patel as senior partner-global digital health.

Hatzfeld, who has worked in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America in a 25-year career, joins Finn Partners after five years as Ogilvy team leader, where he supervised various national vaccination efforts.

Prior to Ogilvy, he was communications director at the Sabin Vaccine Institute, overseeing vaccine development & advocacy, as well as the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases.

He began a public health career leading a nationwide network of maternal/child clinics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on behalf of USAID.

Hatzfeld will work closely with Finn Health chair Gil Bashe and practice leader Kristie Kuhl.

Patel, who was chief digital officer at Ogilvy Consulting, will collaborate across Finn’s practices and work at the “intersection of health and wellness decision-making and health-professional voice,” according to the firm.

He will report to Noah Finn, founding managing partner in charge of global integrated marketing, who praised Patel’s “bold approach that drives access to care through digital technology.”

Finn Partners also has hired Pepe Aguilar, whose work has earned 18 Cannes Lions and 26 Effie Awards for a number of global shops, as executive creative director.

Reporting to Matt Bostrom, managing partner, Aguilar’s job is to elevate Finn Partners’ creative capabilities, spearhead integrated accounts, lead new business efforts and nurture an inclusive work culture.

Bashe told O'Dwyer's the three hires "demonstrate the firm's commitment to delivering powerful, integrated solutions that make a difference in our global community and deliver for client brands."