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| Kathy Baird |
The Washington Post names Kathy Baird COO. Baird was most recently at Nike, where she was senior director of global communications. Her previous positions include managing director and head of Ogilvy’s Washington, DC, and SVP and partner at FleishmanHillard. Baird is Sicangu Lakota and Oneida and an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She also serves on the advisory board of IllumiNative, a nonprofit working for accurate and authentic portrayal of Native people. In her new position, Baird will oversee corporate communications, public relations, live events, and brand marketing, reporting directly to Post publisher and CEO Fred Ryan. “Kathy brings extensive experience in corporate and consumer marketing and digital communications and will serve as a key strategic partner for all aspects of the business,” said Ryan.
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| Raffi Williams |
The Managed Funds Association, the trade association for the hedge fund and global alternative asset management industry, hires Edelman Smithfield vice president Raffi Williams as vp of communications. Before coming to Edelman Smithfield, Williams was acting communications director at the Federal Housing Finance Agency and deputy assistant secretary at the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. At MFA, Williams will work to advance the organization’s agenda on key policy issues and educate the public about the value of the hedge fund and alternative asset management industry.
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| Celena Fine |
Tier One Partners names VP Celena Fine to lead its Agile Insights and Analytics practice. Fine, who works with clients in the financial services, technology and healthcare industries, was previously a TV news journalist at Boston’s NBC and FOX affiliates. “With Celena at the helm of this practice area, one she helped to build and shape over the past year with her passion for culture and news, Tier One will continue to expand the Agile Insights and Analytics practice and develop future products,” said Tier One co-founder and managing partner Kathy Wilson. The Agile Insight practice’s first product is the What’s Next, Now trends report, which is available free of charge to Tier One clients and for a $1,200 annual subscription via Substack.
Ballard Partners names former Burson managing director Mike Waterman as MD. Waterman comes to Ballard from ROKK Solutions... The Herald Group brings on Trace Scruggs and Evan Lukaske as VPs... Travelier, which operates platforms for booking intercity transportation services via buses, trains and ferries in 124 countries, appoints Mario Gavira as CMO. 
Raffetto Herman Strategic Communications brings on Jessica Gail, who served as director of communications for Rep. Eric Swalwell, as senior media lead... Prime Therapeutics appoints Katie Payne as chief external affairs officer, a newly created role. She was previously a senior director at APCO... Thunderly promotes Jason Weaver to director of paid media. 
Ruder Finn hires Brent Mullins as SVP, talent and partnerships. Mullins joins the agency from 160over90, where he was VP, entertainment marketing... Allison Worldwide names Katie Huang Shin global president, technology, effective Nov. 14... Vasion, which provides serverless printing and AI-enabled automation, appoints Cindy White as CMO. 
Mod Op brings on John Powers and Alan Kipust as part of its Executive in Residence program, which already includes former Dun & Bradstreet chief data officer Monica Richter... Takeda Pharmaceuticals hires James-Denton Wyllie as head of R&D and external innovation communications... Veeam Software, which specializes in data resilience solutions, appoints Allison Cerra as CMO.
The Dallas Mavericks bring on Gina Miller as chief communications officer, a newly created role. She was previously with Major League Soccer team FC Dallas... Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization that advances arts advocacy, names Jamey Lundblad as CMO... Ambac Financial Group, an insurance holding company, names Karen Beyer managing director, head of investor relations.
