![]() |
| Nicole Cornish |
Nicole Cornish plans to step down from the helm of Avoq by the end of the year to pursue new opportunities.
She will remain on the board to support the transition to new leadership. Avoq has launched a search for Cornish’s replacement.
Cornish did a seven-year run as CEO of Subject Matter, which merged with Kivvit in 2023. Avoq emerged from that merger in 2024.
Avoq debuted as a Top Ten O’Dwyer ranked firm, chalking up $89.9M in 2023 fees. It declined to participate in the 2025 rankings.
Will Wynperle, founder of Los Angeles-based Coral Tree Partners private equity firm, said Cornish guided the firm with an unwavering commitment to the people and mission of Avoq.
“During her tenure, we achieved record revenue, and she leaves the firm well positioned for continued growth,” added Wynperle, whose firm invested in Subject Matter in 2022.
Prior to leading Subject Matter, Cornish was COO at Burson-Marsteller and CEO of its Direct Impact unit.


Sphere Entertainment Co., an entertainment holding company that owns the Sphere event venue in Nevada and New York-based regional sports network chain MSG Networks, names Karen Laureano-Rikardsen global head of corporate marketing and communications....Fender Musical Instruments Corporation appoints Christina Stejskal as chief communications officer, a new position at the company....Herringbone, a digital marketing platform backed by Trinity Hunt Partners, names Dan Hinckley head of AI.
DGA Group has added Hilton alum Jonas Neihardt as a senior advisor to bolster its hospitality, travel and tourism offering.
Ed Harnaga, who most recently served as SVP, chief marketing and communications officer at Pfizer, joins Vantage Data Centers, which provides hyperscale data center campuses, in the chief marketing and communications officer spot.
Lucas Public Affairs, a Sacramento-based firm, adds Sallie Poggi, who has worked at both FleishmanHillard and APCO, as a VP. Most recently, Poggi was chief communications officer at the University of the Pacific... Allied Universal, a security and facility services company, brings on Melissa Butler as VP of communications. She was at Burson... Talk Shop Media, a firm that operates in Canada and the U.S., specializing in PR, corporate communications and social media, promotes Stuart Martin to managing director of its U.S West Coast operations.
The Estée Lauder Companies names Madeleine Boyd SVP, global brand communications. Most recently, she served as global SVP, beauty & wellness at Together Group... Cohen & Steers, a global investment manager specializing in real assets and alternative income, names Erik Schneberger as EVP, chief marketing officer... CooperVision, a contact lens company, brings on former Bayer VP Brenda Raphael as VO of marketing, Americas.



