GMMB Expands Leadership Team
Posted on Jan 27, 2011
GMMB is pleased to name three new partners, Alison Betty, Susan Feeney and Kaia Lenhart. They bring extraordinary strategic communications experience, leadership and issue expertise on education, U.S. health care, and global health and development. GMMB works with some of the world’s most recognized and respected foundations, political leaders, non-profit organizations and corporations on issues and causes that improve lives.
“Alison, Susan and Kaia are smart and innovative strategists who share our vision for this firm – to use communications to create real change that will positively impact families, our nation and our world,” said Raelynn Olson, GMMB’s managing partner. “With their deep experience in global health and development, domestic health policy and education reform, we are confident this leadership expansion will strengthen our position as one of America’s leading strategic communications firms.”
Alison Betty most recently played a significant role supporting last year’s efforts to pass health care reform legislation. She joined GMMB in 2002 and directs the firm’s work with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Coverage team, supporting their efforts to expand health coverage to Americans. Betty has provided strategic counsel and overseen health care communications campaigns for a range of clients, including AARP, American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the Bipartisan Policy Center as well as the states of Maryland, Oregon and Vermont. Previously, she worked in issue-advocacy communications for Share our Strength and the National Campaign Against Youth Violence and began her career on Capitol Hill working for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3).
“We are very proud of the work we have done over the years to provide health coverage to more children, and most recently, fight for policies to make quality health care affordable for all Americans,” Betty said. “No matter the issue – whether it is health care, energy or education – our track record of success is due in large part to the partnerships we have with our clients who are so dedicated to making lives better. It’s an honor to work with them.”
Susan Feeney joined the firm in late 2009 as senior counselor. She transitioned from GMMB’s Washington, D.C. office to join Frank Greer in leading GMMB’s Seattle office. Feeney’s clients include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The First Five Years Fund. She also provides strategic counsel to domestic and global clients across the firm.
Prior to coming to the firm, Feeney was senior supervising editor for NPR’s influential flagship programs, All Things Considered and, before that, Morning Edition. She serves on the Strategic Planning Committee of KUOW, a Seattle NPR station.
“It has been gratifying to put my skills as a news manager to work for clients who are making a difference in the world,” said Feeney. “Seattle is an exciting place that has provided the firm with many opportunities. I look forward to helping the firm expand its reach and impact for our clients.”
Kaia Lenhart is a leader in the firm’s expanding portfolio of global health work. She provides strategic communications guidance to nutrition, vaccine and maternal, child and newborn health clients, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations Foundation, PATH, Pneumococcal Awareness Council of Experts (PACE), and the World Bank. She has led accounts for several award-winning campaigns and initiatives, including Nothing But Nets, a global, grassroots campaign to prevent malaria in Africa; World Vision’s Hope Initiative to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa among Evangelical Christians; and the 2006 UNAIDS Global Report. Before coming to GMMB in 2002, Lenhart directed strategic communications at the United Nations Foundation around the issues of children’s health, women and population, the environment and human rights.
Lenhart said of GMMB, “For years GMMB has helped our clients improve the lives of children and their families here in the United States. We saw an opportunity and a need to achieve this same kind of change for children in the world’s poorest countries. I am proud to be a part of a firm with such a strong and sincere commitment to making the world a safer, healthier place.”