DGA

DGA Group (formerly Dentons Global Advisors) announces expanded roles for Grégoire Poisson, who becomes global head of public affairs; Katherine Morgan, who is now Europe head of public affairs; James Melville-Ross, who takes on the role of Europe head of complex communications advisory, and Kieran O’Keeffe, who will serve as co-head of the Brussels office (serving alongside Poisson). As part of their new roles, Morgan and Melville Ross join DGA Group’s executive committee, of which Poisson is already a member. Poisson, who was CEO of Interel before it was acquired by DGA Group in 2021, has most recently served as head of public affairs EMEA. In his expanded role, he will work to ensure the delivery of coordinated, high-quality service across all markets. Morgan, who was a deputy managing partner at Interel and has most recently served as a partner at DGA, has also worked at a senior level in the UK Treasury and in the European Commission. Melville-Ross, a specialist in crisis communication, will oversee the regional management of the practice that specializes in high-stakes communications issues, including crisis management and corporate reputation. O’Keeffe, who also served as a deputy managing partner at Interel, will oversee all operations within the multidisciplinary Brussels-based team. “The appointments of Grégoire, Katherine, James and Kieran reflect the excellent growth in our business,” said DGA Group head of EMEA Deborah Scott. “Their combined expertise and leadership will strengthen our global and regional capabilities.”

Change

The Change Agencies, a collective of PR firms offering strategic communications, counsel and outreach to represent, engage and connect with African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Indigenous, and LGBTQ communities, brings on three new members: Abenaa Hayes of Elysee Consulting in Brooklyn, NY; Sandy Diaz Haley of SDH Communications in Dallas; and Shawn Smith of Shawn Smith Communications in Los Angeles. The new members join 12 existing member agencies led by managing partners Ben Finzel of RENEWPR in Washington, D.C., and LaTricia Woods of Mahogany Xan Communications in Chandler, Ariz. “Our member agencies are dynamic firms that are making a significant impact for their clients and their communities, and we look forward to working with them and creating a new narrative for diversity, inclusivity and authenticity for our industry and future clients,” said Woods.

Capital Factory

Washington Office, a DC-based strategy firm that will provide clients with strategic communications, business development and government relations support, launches in strategic partnership with Capital Factory, a startup incubator. The firm is targeting companies in the emerging technology sector, including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, energy, materials sciences, robotics, space systems, synthetic biology and quantum computing. “Our clients will be championed by people who’ve been policymakers and technologists — who actually understand product and have built things – and who have worked at all levels in Democratic, Republican, and nonpartisan leadership positions,” said Washington Office co-founder Evan Burfield.