 |
| Natalie Battaglia |
Whiteboard Advisors, a DC-based edtech PR agency, brings Natalia Battaglia back to the firm as SVP. Battaglia was VP communication at the firm from 2015 to 2021. She was most recently head of communications and public affairs at Common Sense Media, which provides age-based media recommendations and advice for families. In her new position, she will drive strategic communications efforts across Whiteboard’s portfolio of clients, which spans early childhood, K–12, higher education and workforce development. “She has a track record of using comms to shape the public dialogue and will be a tremendous asset to our team and the clients we serve," said Whiteboard Advisors founder and CEO Ben Wallerstein.
 |
| Scott Gainey |
Checkmarx, an agentic AI-driven, cloud-native application that helps enterprise developers build trust at scale and speed, hires Scott Gainey as CMO. Gainey was most recently CMO at Nile, an AI networking architecture company. He has held leadership positions at companies including Palo Alto Networks, SentinelOne, Cisco Security and NetApp. At Checkmarx, Gainey will lead the company’s global marketing strategy, branding, messaging, communications, demand generation and partner marketing development efforts. “Checkmarx is hyper focused on aggressive growth, so Scott’s history of success and scale in leading marketing in high-growth companies will be an important component of our continued growth and success,” said Checkmarx CEO Sandeep Johri.
 |
| Patrice Batchelor |
Erlanger, a multi-hospital health system affiliated with the University of Tennessee, names Patrice Batchelor as chief marketing and communications officer. Batchelor most recently founded and led Twin Oaks Communications, which supported mission-driven healthcare organizations. Before that, she led communications and engagement efforts at CommonSpirit Health and Catholic Health Initiatives. At Erlanger, Batchelor will lead the strategic direction of Erlanger’s marketing and communications efforts. “Her ability to connect people, build strong teams, and drive authentic engagement will be essential as we deepen our impact, reaching more people, strengthening trust, and expanding access to the care and support our communities need most,” said Erlanger president and CEO Jim Coleman.
Andrew Sinclair, who spent nine years at ExxonMobil, has joined Dallas-based Empower lithium producer as chief public and government relations officer.
Linhart Public Relations, a Denver-based firm, names Ashley Campbell VP and partner... Akima, a provider of mission-focused solutions to the federal government, appoints Michael Teegardin as VP of marketing & communications... QuidelOrtho Corporation, a global provider of diagnostic solutions, appoints Sanjeev Sharma as VP, investor relations... McNeely Brockman Public Relations hires Lindsey West as an account executive. 
Allison DeLeo, who rose to senior VP and West Coast lead during a nearly 17-year run at Racepoint Global has joined Method Communications as senior VP.
APCO names Kelly Williamson, who has been president, North America since 2018, chief client officer and global president of capital markets, a newly created role... Avenue Z, which has offices in NYC and Miami, brings on Stephanie Goenaga as associate director, public relations... Marino names Vincent Dente EVP of creative and AI innovation, a new post.
Joele Frank managing director Tim Ragones and Jasper Street Partners' MD Peter da Silva Vint join stakeholder intelligence advisory firm Sodali & Co.
