WASHINGTON — ROKK Solutions has promoted Jeff Grappone to executive VP and chair of the public affairs practice. Grappone is a veteran strategist who has held senior communications roles on the Hill and in presidential and senate campaigns, as well as in the executive branch and corporate America. Before joining ROKK in 2019, he was the deputy staff director for the Senate Republican Conference under Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY), the assistant secretary for the US Department of Labor, and advised US senators Kelly Ayotte and John Sununu earlier in his career. Grappone also worked in the C-suite as a senior communicator for Siemens.

LOS ANGELES — The Female Quotient has hired former Golin chief creative officer Caroline Dettman as chief marketing and creative officer. Dettman (pictured, right), who co-founded the consultancy Have Her Back, joined the firm’s executive team in the newly created role November 30th. The FQ also promoted director of innovation Amber Coleman-Mortley (pictured, left) to senior director of community and culture.

WASHINGTON — SKDK has added three senior leaders to its executive communications practice — Adora Andy Jenkins, who has held top communications roles at the Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency, tech companies and an advocacy organization; Lisa Stark, an Emmy- and Peabody-award-winning former network news correspondent for ABC and PBS; and Saundra Torry, who spent two decades as a Washington Post reporter and then two more writing opinions on USA Today’s editorial board. The three new hires have joined the firm’s writing and coaching team as of-counsel advisors.

WASHINGTON, DC — Google’s Michael Fitzpatrick is joining Brunswick Group as a partner. Fitzpatrick brings experience in regulatory affairs and public policy, including key digital policies related to emerging technologies, and crisis management. He joins Brunswick from Google, where he was director of global strategy and innovation, global affairs and, before that, head of global regulatory affairs.

CHICAGO — Neil Simon has joined Resolute as an executive VP, bringing media, cyber security, crisis communications and policy experience to the firm. Portland, Oregon-based he advises Resolute clients across the country. Before joining Resolute, Simon led communications for Portland’s government administrator, Metro, and was B&S Europe’s team leader for EU policy and outreach partnership in the US. Earlier in his career, Simon led global communications for the tech company Tektronix.

NEW YORK — Finn Partners has promoted VP Jessica Lise to a partner in its New York health group. In her new role, Lise reports to managing partner Tom Jones and will serve on the global health practice leadership team.

ST. LOUIS — Lambert has hired research expert Heather Rice as director. Rice joins Lambert’s market research team where she will lead and support quantitative and qualitative research studies and develop customized training programs for clients. Before joining Lambert, Rice worked in various academic capacities, including as researcher, professor, advisor and leader at Washington University in St. Louis. Most recently, she spearheaded several special projects as an Office of the Provost faculty fellow supporting teaching, research and practice faculty.

SAN DIEGO — Katalyst has promoted VP Dawn Seymour to partner. Since joining Katalyst full-time in 2018, Seymour has helped double the size of the team, taking the firm from five employees to 10, and has been a key driver of new business. Most recently, she expanded the company into a new Southern California market with the opening of an office in Santa Barbara.

NEW YORK — G&S Business Communications has appointed Seth Niessen chief financial officer. A 21-year agency veteran and G&S shareholder since 2012, Niessen assumes the role of CFO effective immediately. He previously served as the agency’s controller.