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| Brad Whitford |
The Herald Group, a DC-based public affairs firm, brings on DDC Public Affairs SVP, creative director Brad Whitford as chief creative officer. Before joining DDC in 2019, Whitford was VP and design director at The Glover Park Group (which was later merged into FGS Global). In his new post, Whitford will oversee THG’s creative vision and execution across its portfolio. “He’s spent nearly two decades leading design and storytelling for complex campaigns, and he understands how to work inside fast-moving, strategy-first teams,” said The Herald Group partner and chief digital strategist Todd Van Etten.
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| Dana Bodine |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute hires former Mastercard VP of marketing Dana Bodine as its first CMO. Bodine joins RPI from global tech company Trustpilot, where she served as VP. Before that she was VP, marketing and communications at AI-driven finetech Pagaya. At Mastercard, she worked with clients in verticals including public-private partnerships, financial inclusion, startup engagement, and early-stage digital product development. "Dana's experience driving growth at the intersection of technology, media, and innovation will be essential to achieving our priorities,” said RPI president Martin Schmidt.
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| Ryan Krueger |
Reinsurance Group of America, a life and health reinsurer, appoints Ryan Krueger as SVP, investor relations, effective Jan. 5, 2026. Krueger comes to RGA from investment bank Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, where he was managing director, equity research of the U.S. life insurance sector. At RGA, he will collaborate closely with the executive leadership team to effectively communicate RGA’s strategic evolution and performance to the investor community. “Ryan is a seasoned and well-respected financial analyst with a strong reputation among investors, analysts, and industry stakeholders,” said RGA EVP and chief financial officer Axel André. “His impressive track record of engaging with the investor community gives us confidence that he will drive deeper understanding and clarity of RGA’s strategy and performance.”
Narrative Strategies brings on Stacia Tipton as managing director... Prosek Partners promotes Deirdre Bolton, Josh Clarkson and Jon Schwartz to partner... YAP Global, an international digital assets PR firm, promotes Otto Jacobsson, who has served as CFO of the firm since 2020, to CEO. 
Sarah Knakmuhs, who formerly led H/Advisors Abernathy’s DC office, is joining the Financial Services Forum as chief communications and strategy officer.
Brian Hughes, chief of staff at NASA, has joined Mercury Public Affairs as a partner in its Tallahassee office.
Cindy Leggett-Flynn, who most recently led communications at Credit Suisse, is coming on board at Swiss multinational private bank and wealth management firm Julius Baer Group as group head of communications.
The Pollack Group brings on John Cheng as creative director and Daniel Chou as director of digital strategy... Baretz+Brunelle, an advisory firm that works with legal industry businesses, brings on Daniel Gilfarb, as a senior managing director in its talent practice.... Prophet names Mat Zucker, who has served as interim CMO for the past two years, to the full-time CMO position.
