 |
| Josh Isay |
Orchestra brings on Josh Isay, the co-founder and former CEO of SKDK, as a partner, effective Jan. 13. While at SKDK, he played a key role in the firm’s campaigns for Presidents Obama and Biden, as well as NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg. He also advised such Fortune 50 companies as Amazon and PepsiCo. Prior to helping found SKDK, Isay ran Chuck Schumer’s first Senate race and was his first Senate chief of staff. The Stagwell Group acquired SKDK in 2015, and Isay stepped down as CEO in late 2022. At Orchestra, Isay will advise the firm’s leadership and focus on scaling its advisory practice, helping clients align communications strategy with business objectives and navigate stakeholder relationships. "Josh's extensive experience—from Fortune 50 board rooms to the White House—make him exactly the right person to scale our executive advisory practice at Orchestra and help CEO's and boards navigate an increasingly complex world,” said Orchestra CEO Jonathan Rosen.
 |
| Akitsugu Era |
Brunswick Group names Akitsugu Era a partner in its Tokyo office, effective Feb. 8. Era previously served as managing director, head of investment stewardship for BlackRock Japan. Before that, he served as the corporate governance manager and equity analyst at Nikko Asset Management. At Brunswick, Era will strengthen the firm’s strategic advisory capabilities in Japan, advising clients in Japan and globally on a range of corporate governance issues. “Akitsugu is a widely regarded expert on corporate governance and responsible investment in Japan, and his extensive knowledge and experience will be of deep value to our clients,” said Brunswick Group CEO Henry Timms.
 |
| Wendi Wilkes |
Banner Public Affairs hires Wendi Wilkes to serve as SVP of government relations and chief of staff of the firm’s growing Water Practice. Wilkes joins Banner from the EPA, where she most recently served as the director of infrastructure implementation for the Office of Water, and helped advance President Biden’s $50 billion water infrastructure investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. She was previously manager of regulatory and legislative affairs for the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. At Banner, Wilkes will work to further solidify Banner’s leadership in the infrastructure sector. “Her breadth of experience, deep policy expertise and inclusive leadership style make her an exceptional asset to our team and our clients,” said Banner partner and chair of the firm’s Water Practice Mae Stevens.
HUNTER promotes Gigi García Russo to president and Michael Lamp to chief digital & transformation officer.... Cars.com Inc. a car-shopping marketplace, names Sarah Kettler CMO, effective June 15...The Trade Desk, an advertising tech company, appoints Sarah Gavin as CMO and EVP.
Brittany Sullivan, who held the senior VP-executive director of marketing post at Golin, has moved to Burson.
Codeword brings on Melody Brue and Jess Graham as part of a push to bolster its capabilities in market intelligence and commercial strategy... Havas Edge, which specializes in data-driven media, creative and customer acquisition strategies, for health, tech, consumer, retail and financial brands, promotes Pam Caputo to EVP, health media... Rezolve Ai, the London-based developer of Brain Suite, an enterprise AI platform purpose-built for agentic commerce, appoints Michele Fisher as CMO.
Jamie Dowd, who was most recently president of the health practice in the Americas at Weber Shandwick, comes on board at Allison Worldwide as global president, health + wellness, effective June 22.
Burson is bringing on Hanover managing director, Middle East Jonty Summers as head of corporate affairs in Dubai at the end of June... Ridgepost Capital, which had over $45 billion in assets under management as of March 31, names Brian McKenna VP, investor relations, effective June 15... The Center for AI Safety appoints Rochelle Nadhiri as head of public engagement. 
