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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
MMGY Global, which works with clients in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, promotes Justin Farmer to chief growth officer, a newly created role at the firm... Golin names Alexandra Ladas VP, global AI integration... Manifest brings on Richard Titus as non-executive director for US operations... Century Golf Partners, a golf course ownership and management firm hires Amy Spittle as VP of marketing. 
160over90 names EVPs Jessica Sinn, Justin Zambuto and Ryan Brown to jointly lead the Endeavor-owned cultural marketing agency... ERM, a specialist sustainability consultancy, brings on Emily Luscombe as partner. She was at Britain's Instinctif Partners... BizCom Associates promotes Dan Wiley to creative director... Xometry, an AI-driven marketplace that connects enterprise buyers with suppliers of manufacturing services, appoints Stephany Verstraete as CMO.
French/West/Vaughan hires Hulu's Caroline Newberry as AVP, social media & influencer marketing... Matter Communications promotes Grace Torrance to SVP... McNeely Brockman Public Relations adds Amanda Reinbold as a senior advisor and Rachel Wood as its first creative director... Litera, which provides legal technology solutions, appoints Cynthia Gumbert as CMO.
Brunswick Group has hired Kate Bedingfield, who was Joe Biden’s communications director, as a partner in its DC office.
Prosek Partners brings on former Blackstone senior managing director Stephen Lewis as a partner in its London office.
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