SYDNEY — Susan Redden Makatoa, a 20-year veteran of corporate communications, has been named Edelman Australia’s group MD.

In the newly created role, Makatoa is charged with growing Edelman’s reputation and advisory work throughout Australia. She also will oversee the firm’s reputation capabilities, with an emphasis on public affairs.

Makatoa will be based in Sydney and reports to Edelman Australia CEO Michelle Hutton.

“I am thrilled that Susan is joining Edelman. I could not think of a better person to help us build our business here. She is an exceptional, commercially astute client and business leader, who can foresee, drive and manage change,” said Hutton. 

Makatoa joins from Temple Executive Search, where she worked on assignments for Commonwealth Bank, Exchange for Change, Rabobank, NRL, Lendlease, eBay, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Novartis.

Before that, she was Ogilvy PR’s group MD for corporate, in which role she oversaw public affairs agency Parker & Partners, employee engagement firm Ogilvy Impact and Ogilvy’s corporate practice. She was previously a partner at SenateSHJ, and has held senior roles at Savage & Horrigan, ASIC and the NSW Business Chamber.