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| Jennifer Donahoe |
Red Banyan brings on Jennifer Donahoe as a director on its crisis communications team. Donahoe most recently led teams of public relations, influencer and social media professionals at Baltimore-based integrated communications agency Planit. Her experience includes managing cross-functional teams, conducting crisis audits and response planning, providing 24/7 crisis support, and training senior executives in media strategy. “Jennifer brings the kind of experience, steady leadership, and strategic focus that are essential in crisis communications,” said Red Banyan founder and CEO Evan Nierman. “She understands what's at stake when reputations are on the line, and her expertise will be an asset to every client we serve.”
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| Deborah Ruffins |
Furia Rubel Communications adds Deborah Ruffins to its international faculty, which works to guide law firms to success in the professional services landscape. Ruffins was most recently managing partner at Deb Ruffins Consulting Group. Her previous positions include CMO at Perkins Cole and global head of strategic initiatives as Hogan Lovells. She has coached lawyers and professionals to engage in high-impact conversations, uncover client needs and build lasting trust. “As a coach with expertise in client listening, she and our team will work together to develop targeted, actionable strategies for our clients,” said Furia Rubel CEO and general counsel Gina Rubel.
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| Catherine Solazzo |
Appfire, a global provider of enterprise apps, appoints former IBM VP Catherine Solazzo as CMO. Solazzo joins Appfire from marketing cloud provider Syntax, where she served as chief marketing officer. She was previously CMO at Tech Data/TD SYNNEX. At IBM, Solazzo led the company’s ecosystem performance marketing organization. “She has a proven track record leading marketing teams that actually move the needle, with a sharp grasp of developer ecosystems and partner channels—which is critical for us as we evolve and grow,” said Appfire CEO Matt Dircks.
Alcoa has named Emily Olson, who has more than 20 years of experience working in capital-intensive industries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, EVP & chief external affairs officer, effective April 6.
Longacre Square Partners has named Humza Vanderman partner and head of its London outpost as the financial communications firm expands into Europe.
FGS Global adds former Pfizer EVP and chief corporate affairs officer Sally Susman to its global executive board as an independent member, effective April 1... Codeword brings on Kim Baffi, who was previously Salesforce VP and creative director, as executive creative director... Amperity, an AI-powered customer data cloud, appoints Bridget Perry as CMO.
MOIA America, a Volkswagen Group of America subsidiary that develops and tests autonomous, all-electric ride-pooling vehicles, names Marcus Gamo head of U.S. communications... Continental Strategy brings on Francisco Petrirena as VP in its Miami office. Petrirena was previously chief of staff to former Miami city manager Art Noriega... MSQ Sport + Entertainment brings on Lauren Weil as EVP, Max Hirsch as VP of sponsorship, and Brooke Losee as VP.
Burson promotes EMEA COO Matt Buchanan to global chief social and Influence officer, a newly created role... Seedtag, a “global neuro-contextual advertising company,” brings on former Edelman SVP, corporate and public affairs Brendan McCarthy as chief marketing & communications officer... The Associated Press ups Lauren Easton to SVP and chief communications officer.
