On the Move: Suvanto Named First CEO of Edelman Financial

Lex Suvanto

Edelman names Lex Suvanto managing partner and CEO of Edelman Financial, a newly created position. Suvanto has been with Edelman since 2013, most recently serving as global managing director. He has advised on transactions, activism defense situations and IPO as well as high-profile crisis situations. Prior to Edelman, Suvanto was managing director and CMO at Abernathy MacGregor. In addition, Edelman named regional leaders for financial communications in the US (Katie Spring and Josh Hochberg), EMEA (Alex Simmons), APAC (Chad Tendler) and Canada (David Ryan). "Lex and this outstanding group of leaders have built a strong platform for delivering world-class counsel and execution, and we will continue to invest significantly to further grow our team," said Edelman CEO Richard Edelman.

Bill Smith

The Bliss Group hires Bill Smith as SVP to lead paid, earned, shared and owned (PESO) communications strategy and corporate storytelling for healthcare, finance, technology, and professional services firms. Smith joins The Bliss Group from Makovsky, where he was a group vice president, leading strategy across the firm's financial and professional services practice. He has also served as a vice president at BCW Global and a senior account executive at Dukas Linden Public Relations. In his new position, Smith will be responsible for helping the agency introduce "search media relations," which the agency says will enable it to identify and reach an optimized set of influencers and organizations. "The days of just gaining coverage are long gone and Bill is helping us usher in a new era," said The Bliss Group CEO Bob Pearson.

Justine Fedak

MERGE hires Justine Fedak as chief marketing officer and a member of the company's executive committee. She most recently ran her own firm, Corporate Hippie; worked as chief brand strategist at Pollara Strategic Insights; and held a variety of senior marketing positions at BMO Financial Group. Fedak also co-founded Instant Impact Group, a diversity and marketing consulting firm, with Star Jones. "Justine truly embodies MERGE's purpose of promoting health, wealth and happiness," said MERGE chief executive officer Patrick Venetucci.

Bob Jimenez, Jessamyn Katz, Joseph Tateoka

The Plank Center adds Bob Jimenez, Jessamyn Katz and Joseph Tateoka to its board of advisors. Jimenez is senior vice president of corporate affairs at Cox Enterprises, serving as the chief communications counsel to members of the company's executive team and leading the management of its brand, reputation and strategic communications. Katz is president of Heyman Associates, where she leads searches to fill executive-level roles in strategic communications, investor relations, marketing and other specialties. Tateoka is vice president of global learning & development at Edelman and an adjunct professor at DePaul University College of Communication. "Nurturing and mentoring the next generation of ethical, skilled communications leaders is essential to our profession," said Plank board chair Bridget Coffing. "We're delighted and honored to have Bob, Jessamyn and Joseph join our Board of Advisors, as they bring the integrity, talent and experience that will help us drive this critical imperative."