 |
| (L-R) Rahshiene Taha, Emily Bittner |
The Obama Foundation, which is building the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side, has hired Rahshiene Taha as CMO and Emily Bittner as VP of communications.
Taha comes to the foundation from Live Nation, where was VP and head of IP development & marketing partnerships at Live Nation. Before that, he was head of marketing at 3BLACKDOT, a global entertainment company. He also oversaw the alignment of Nike's efforts for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Bittner was most recently senior advisor to Illinois Governor Pritzker, after serving as deputy chief of staff for communications during Pritzker’s first term. She also served as chief of strategy for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, chief of communications and strategic planning for Chicago Public Schools and communication director for Sen. Joe Manchin.
Taha and Bittner will drive the Foundation’s efforts to amplify the foundation’s mission and initiatives internationally in preparation for the landmark of the Obama Presidential Center in 2026.
"Rahshiene and Emily are both accomplished leaders and communicators," said The Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett. "Their creativity and expertise will strengthen our efforts as we expand our engagement and impact both locally and globally.”
Circana, an advisor on consumer behavior, names Kroger chief merchant and marketing officer Stuart Aitken as its president and CEO, effective Jan. 1... Align PR, an entertainment-focused firm that works with such clients as Matthew McConaughey, Madonna and Selena Gomez, adds Sarah Mary Cunningham to its New York-based team... Formation PR + Brand names Derek Coté creative director.
ICR names Lending Tree COO J.D. Moriarty CEO of ICR Capital, its broker-dealer affiliate... Hearst Magazines names Sherri Chambers SVP, chief marketing officer... Neighborly, a home services company, appoints Stacy Lynn Bourgeois as CMO, effective Dec. 2.
Donald Trump has picked Ballard Partners partner Pam Bondi as his nomination for attorney general as ex-Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz decides not to pursue Senate confirmation for the post.
Think Big, a PA consultancy, hires WE Communications' Aaron Walker as a managing director to lead its new PR & and crisis practice... Paradigm Talent Agency brings on Sarah Shulman as VP corporate communications... Instabase, an AI outfit, appoints Junie Dinda as CMO. 
Edelman’s Taj Reid is moving to Burson as global chief creative officer on Jan. 8. He will replace Simon Shaw, who is departing at the end of the year.
Have a comment? Send it to 
No comments have been submitted for this story yet.