![]() |
| 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.


Mod Op brings on John Powers and Alan Kipust as part of its Executive in Residence program, which already includes former Dun & Bradstreet chief data officer Monica Richter... Takeda Pharmaceuticals hires James-Denton Wyllie as head of R&D and external innovation communications... Veeam Software, which specializes in data resilience solutions, appoints Allison Cerra as CMO.
The Dallas Mavericks bring on Gina Miller as chief communications officer, a newly created role. She was previously with Major League Soccer team FC Dallas... Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization that advances arts advocacy, names Jamey Lundblad as CMO... Ambac Financial Group, an insurance holding company, names Karen Beyer managing director, head of investor relations.
Actum has hired Cecelia Prewett, who was president of DC Public Affairs at SKDK during a nearly 13-year run, as senior managing director in its Washington office.
Franz Paasche, who was most recently EVP for public affairs and communications at Columbia University, will join Verizon as EVP, corporate affairs, effective Nov. 10.
Horizon Family Brands, which includes Horizon Organic and Wallaby Organic yogurt, hires Andrew Springate as CMO... Wake Tech, a Raleigh, NC community college that serves over 70,000 adults annually, brings on Lisa Marie Ferrell, who previously led North America communications at Lenovo, as VP of communications and marketing... Golin brings on executive creative director Meg Farquhar in Chicago, and EVPs of strategy Tom Howells (Western Region) and Martin Coomber (New York).



