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| Rachel Spielman |
Ruder Finn promotes Rachel Spielman to chief strategy & change officer, North America, a newly established role. Spielman has most recently led Ruder Finn’s US marketing team, overseeing culture, reputation and external engagement. She also founded and led the agency’s first corporate practice, driving its expansion and influence across sectors. Earlier in her career, Spielman was a producer at CNN. In her new post, she will lead initiatives to strengthen Ruder Finn’s strategic growth, foster deeper integration across practices, and help guide the agency’s innovation agenda. “Rachel has long been a force in shaping Ruder Finn’s culture and position in the marketplace and her leadership will help us continue to shape the future on our own terms,” said Ruder Finn chief innovation officer Michael Schubert.
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| Mary Ruth Raphael |
McNeely Brockman Public Relations names Mary Ruth Raphael a partner in the firm. Raphael, previously an SVP, is MBPR’s fourth partner, joining Kelly Brockman and Mark McNeely, who worked at MP&F Strategic Communications until setting up MBPR in 2018, and Leigh Lindsey who was named an MBPR partner in 2023. Raphael previously spent 23 years at MP&F, leading national and regional communications campaigns and supporting the management and growth of the agency. “Mary Ruth shares our commitment to creating a positive culture for our team and delivering top-notch results for the organizations that trust us to tell their stories,” said Brockman.
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| Arielle La Piano |
LIMELIGHT, which works with professional services, legal services, technology and B2B companies, appoints Arielle LaPiano as SVP to lead its law firm practice and launch its leadership development and training practice. LaPiano was previously managing director of communications and corporate affairs at multinational law firm Paul Hastings, which has more than 1,000 lawyers across 24 offices. She has also served as CCO at cryptocurrency platform Earnity. LaPiano’s hire is also intended to help the agency capture growing demand from law firms navigating AI integration, evolving client expectations and a communications skills gap. “Her ability to translate expertise into influence makes her uniquely qualified to help law firms elevate their communications, strengthen leadership, and thrive amid industry transformation," said LIMELIGHT CCO and founding partner Erin Harrison
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| Meredith Stein |
Windjammer Capital, a private equity investment firm, brings on Meredith Stein as head of investor relations. Stein was most recently director, investor relations and capital formation at Flexpoint Ford. She has also held senior posts at Cross Ocean Partners and Avenue Capital Group. In her new role, she will lead Windjammer’s investor relations strategy, fundraising initiatives, and limited partner engagement. “Meredith’s addition strengthens our investor engagement and supports the firm’s ongoing growth,” said Windjammer managing principal Jeff Miehe. The firm has also added Evan Klebe and Beth Lesniak to its investment team as managing director and principal, respectively.
DCI Group has hired Will Stevens, who has more than 20 years of
Imre names Fred Hickman EVP, group account lead. Hickman joins Imre from Klick, an agency that works with life sciences companies... Residence, a global network of creative companies, brings on Julian McBride as head of communications, a newly created role... Sherlock Communications, which has offices in Bogotå, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Santiago, appoints Bianca Boucault, Maria Amelia Costa and Patricia Zylberman as managing directors.
Nick Mammano, who was president/CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, has rejoined Mercury Public Affairs as a managing director in its Saddle Brook office.
Seven Letter hires Allie Raffa, who was most recently White House correspondent for NBC News, as a senior director... Points of Light, an organization founded by President George H.W. Bush that is dedicated to volunteer service, names Jeff Zanelli as CMO... Frontieras North America, an energy and environmental technology company, appoints Nora Shepard as VP of communications.
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.
