On the Move: Hunter Ups Garcia Russo to New Innovation & Growth Post

Gigi García Russo

Hunter promotes Gigi García Russo to the newly created position of chief innovation and growth officer. García Russo has been with the firm since 2002 and is the founder of its multicultural practice. In her new post, she will work with the firm’s practice leaders to enhance their services and offerings to new and existing clients, especially those who are looking to connect with multicultural audiences. She will also lead diversity and inclusion efforts at the agency, as well as drive the integration of the expertise of the agency’s creative services team. “Gigi’s ability to attract and retain clients by offering creative solutions and a multicultural perspective has greatly improved our offerings as a full-service consultancy and has inspired our staff to think differently and with a more diverse and inclusive mindset,” said Hunter CEO Grace Leong. Hunter has also promoted Jon Lyon, who has led the agency’s culinary and spirits practices for more than 25 years, to chief operating officer, and named long-time EVP of strategy and partnership Samara Farber Mormar as the agency’s first chief marketing officer.

Lazlo Baksay

DCI Group names Lazlo Baksay and Chris Gilleter directors on the firm’s digital and social media team. Baksay was most recently a strategist for the U.S. Army and assisted the Department of State with their digital strategy. He will focus on developing digital advocacy strategies for Fortune 100 companies and international clients. Billeter, who began his career in digital communications at DCI more than 10 years ago, rejoins the company from Seven Letter, where he was a director. He was previously vice president of digital media at JDP Frontline and deputy digital director for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Jamie Rismiller

Allison+Partners adds three senior leaders to its health practice. Jamie Rismiller, who previously led integrated communications programs for A+P’s B2B and consumer tech clients, will serve as the senior lead for the agency’s health tech portfolio and several of its new clients. Gabriela Duran joins the firm as a senior vice president. Duran comes to A+P from Real Chemistry, where she was a senior account director. She will oversee A+P’s growth efforts across diagnostics, devices and biotech in addition to serving as the lead for the agency’s health equity client offering. Sarah Natoli comes on as vice president of health strategy, based in Boston. She was previously director, content strategy at Revive. At A+P, she will work to strengthen the practice’s integrated communications, content creation and healthcare storytelling capabilities.

Ryan Lilly

Matter Commnications promotes Matter Health vice president Ryan Lilly to general manager. In this newly created senior leadership role, he will continue charting the strategic course for the team, while also working directly with Matter’s CEO and president to collectively guide the agency’s overall strategy. Paul Berthiaume has been named his successor as vice president of Matter Health, having previously served as account director for Matter Health after a lengthy tenure leading communications for MEDITECH.