CHICAGO — Spool Marketing and Communications has expanded its corporate affairs practice with two senior hires — Sarah Sheehan and Casey Swanson.

Sheehan, who joins from Ketchum, and Swanson, who joins from ICF Next, have been named Spool senior VP and VP respectively. 

They will lead the company’s corporate affairs practice and capabilities, managing multiple teams and driving key business initiatives. They will oversee media relations, strategy and narrative, executive positioning and thought leadership, CSR and social impact, issues management and public affairs, and internal communications and employee engagement.

Their expertise will bolster work for client partners such as The General Insurance, Fresh Thyme Market, Full Circle Brands and Bicycle Playing Cards, the firm said in announcing the hires.


Sheehan joins Spool after more than eight years at Ketchum, serving most recently as an SVP in the retail sector, where she led corporate reputation work for a leading retail brand, as well as brand marketing communications for General Mills and Whirlpool. Before that, she spent nearly a decade at Ogilvy Public Relations.

Swanson (pictured) spent over seven years at ICF Next with previous roles at Allison+Partners and Motion PR.

“Sarah and Casey are incredible additions to our team, to our clients and to supporting the ambitious growth goals we have in place for this year and beyond,” said CEO Catherine Merritt. “Their years of experience in the industry and passions for building authentic relationships with both employees and clients will be tremendous assets to Spool.”