CHICAGO — Patti Temple Rocks — the former Golin leader who has spent the last year rallying against workplace ageism — is joining ICF Next as the firm’s first head of client impact.

In the newly created role, Rocks is charged with further developing the agency’s client dealings and offerings, while also educating staffers on the client-side experience and how they can use that knowledge to improve the partnerships.

Rocks has held leadership positions at PR and ad agencies as well as on the client side of the business. “I am hoping that experience will add value,” said Rocks. She is also a big believer in the benefits of the range of marketing and communications specialties, including advertising and PR, coming together to foster better client service. “Not only should we not deny it, but embrace it,” she said.

Rocks brings four decades of experience to ICF Next, the newly launched entity that put all of ICF’s businesses — including PR shop Olson Engage — under one brand.  She spent more than six years at Golin, most recently as the agency’s first chief innovation officer, before leaving the firm a year ago. Before that, she served as Leo Burnett’s chief reputation officer and Dow Chemical’s VP of public affairs, brand and reputation.

Since leaving Golin, Rocks has been pushing for acknowledgement and eradication of workplace ageism, most notably through the publication of her book, “I’m Not Done.” She will continue pursuing her activities surrounding the issue while at ICF.