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| Leana Less |
Chico's FAS, which includes the fashion brands Chico's, WHBM and Soma, hires former Coca-Cola executive Leana Less as SVP of marketing. Less was most recently at Aveda, a subsidiary business of Estée Lauder, where she was head of consumer marketing. Before that, she was VP of global connections and media at Coca-Cola. Less will lead Chico's marketing efforts, drive customer acquisition and spearhead loyalty programs. "Leana is an exceptional marketing leader whose diverse global experience in consumer engagement, strategic vision and digital expertise will support driving our three-year growth strategy," said Chico's FAS CEO Molly Langenstein.
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| Michelle Spellerberg |
Millennium Trust Company, a provider of retirement, custodial and consumer-directed benefit services, appoints Michelle Spellerberg as CMO. Spellerberg joins the company from digital credit union Alliant, where she served as vice president and CMO. She was previously CMO at Sikich, a tech-enabled professional services firm. “Michelle brings to Millennium Trust the best of all worlds: a proven data-driven approach with a deep understanding of financial services combined with an ability to see things through a strong creative lens,” said Millennium Trust Company CEO Gary Anetsberger. Millennium Trust also recently acquired PayFlex, which offers Health Savings Accounts and other consumer-directed benefits solutions.
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| Nate Nickerson |
DCVC, Palo Alto venture capital firm, brings on Yale University VP for communications Nate Nickerson as a communications and public affairs partner. Before coming to Yale, Nickerson was VP for communications at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has also held editorial positions at Fast Company and MIT Technology Review. At Yale, he oversaw a restructuring of the university’s communications department. “He has been a key strategic partner in the implementation of our academic priorities, and he created the communication plans to advance public health during the pandemic,” said Yale provost Scott Strobel. DCVC works with companies across such sectors as cybersecurity, climate resilience and smart agriculture.
The Walt Disney Company names Asad Ayaz to lead its newly established enterprise marketing and brand organization... Kaiser Permanente, which provides integrated healthcare services, is bringing on Beth Leonard as SVP and chief public affairs officer, effective Feb. 2. Leonard was most recently chief corporate affairs officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance... AIC Hotel Group, which operates such brands as Nobu Hotels, Hard Rock Hotels, AVA Resort and Spa and the UNICO Collection, hires Delia Osegueda as VP, global partnerships.
Sarah Knakmuhs, who formerly led H/Advisors Abernathy’s DC office, is joining the Financial Services Forum as chief communications and strategy officer.
Brian Hughes, chief of staff at NASA, has joined Mercury Public Affairs as a partner in its Tallahassee office.
Narrative Strategies brings on Stacia Tipton as managing director... Prosek Partners promotes Deirdre Bolton, Josh Clarkson and Jon Schwartz to partner... YAP Global, an international digital assets PR firm, promotes Otto Jacobsson, who has served as CFO of the firm since 2020, to CEO. 
Cindy Leggett-Flynn, who most recently led communications at Credit Suisse, is coming on board at Swiss multinational private bank and wealth management firm Julius Baer Group as group head of communications.
