Melissa Waters
Melissa Waters

Upwork, a platform that connects businesses with freelancers, independent talent and agencies, hires Melissa Waters as chief marketing officer. Waters was most recently global vice president of marketing at Instagram. She left the company in December. Waters previously served as CMO at hims & hers and vice president, marketing at Lyft. “Melissa’s deep expertise in helping high-growth companies scale, establish new categories, and build world-class brands is key to increasing awareness of Upwork,” said Upwork president and CEO Hayden Brown.

Becky Rawlings
Becky Rawlings

Hill+Knowlton Strategies hires Becky Rawlings as director, financial + professional services in London, reporting to managing director Nick Clark. Rawlings was previously a director at integrated comms agency Smarts, where she developed strategic and creative campaigns to drive consumer awareness and behavior change. Her background spans earned media, digital, content and publishing and influencer marketing. “Clients need integrated strategy and ideas to help them with customer acquisition and to radically change their content and publishing strategies. Becky’s perspective will be invaluable in how we respond to those challenges,” said Clark.

J Strategies

J Strategies brings on Carly Andersen, Tess Morrissey and Gabriel Torres to assume vice president posts. Andersen, who will be vice president, brand & media communications, has worked with domestic and international food, beverage, CPG and lifestyle clients. She has cultivated media relationships, executed press events and built influencer campaigns. Morrissey will be vice president, policy & strategic affairs. She joins J Strategies from the University at Buffalo, where she was director of community relations and deputy director of state relations. Torres, who will be vice president, community outreach, most recently worked in the office of Congressmember Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) as director of special projects and policy.

PCF

The Prostate Cancer Foundation names Digital Science Press founder and CEO Gina Carithers chief communications officer. Carithers’ appointment comes as PCF acquires DSP, the digital publisher of UroToday.com and a provider of evidence-based clinical content and educational resources within the fields of urology and genitourinary oncology. Carithers will remain CEO of both DSP and UroToday. She will also work to expand PCF’s reach to such areas of the prostate cancer community as research, education, communication and patient support. “Gina’s executive leadership credentials and record of success will strongly support PCF’s ability to address our mission more broadly,” said PCF President and CEO Charles J. Ryan.