NEW YORK—Porter Novelli has named new managing directors in its Southern California and Chicago offices. Linda Martin, partner, will lead the Porter Novelli team in Southern California, while Adam Scholder, senior vice president, takes on leadership of the Chicago team. Both will be responsible for talent management and the strategic growth of their respective offices, reporting to Brad MacAfee, president, North America. Martin joined Porter Novelli in 2000 and previously served as managing director of the agency's Irvine and San Diego offices. Scholder joined Porter Novelli earlier this year from Olson Engage. He replaces Rich Jernstedt, senior counselor, who will continue in a consulting role with Porter Novelli, working with key clients to drive value and results.

WASHINGTON, DC—SKDKnickerbocker has added former congressional reporter Kate Nocera to its Washington public affairs team and political and communications veterans Jaclyn Rothenberg and Maureen Shanahan to its New York office. Nocera joins the firm from Buzzfeed, where she covered Congress, and was previously a reporter at Politico. Rothenberg returns to SKDK after a two year stint at Teneo, while Shanahan joins after serving as director of worldwide publicity and corporate communications for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

NEW YORK—Ruder Finn has named John McInerney to a new role as director, healthcare digital strategy. McInerney is transitioning from the agency's full-service digital unit RFI Studios to RF Healthcare to oversee digital strategy across its health and wellness portfolio.

ST PAUL, MN—Nicki Gibbs has been promoted to senior vice president, strategy, at Beehive PR. Gibbs will continue to focus on client strategy, business development and issues management, as well as expanding the agency’s research, insights and branding services. Gibbs was instrumental in developing the agency’s proprietary insights service and co-developed Beehive’s branding service. 

WASHINGTON, DC—Stratacomm has hired Karyn Le Blanc as a senior vice president in its Washington, DC, office, where she will lead the firm’s infrastructure practice group, which helps clients communicate with stakeholders on all aspects of transportation and development-related projects. Previously, Le Blance was communications director for the District Department of Transportation and most recently she served as communications director at the Downtown Business Improvement District.