NEW YORK — Weber Shandwick has promoted 25-year agency veteran Susan Howe to president, expanding her oversight of the firm’s regional operations across the globe.

Howe, who most recently was chief growth officer, will be responsible for driving cross-functional collaboration globally, and integration among Weber Shandwick’s specialist brands. She will continue to oversee Weber Shandwick's geographic regions, each of which reports directly to her. 

Howe continues reporting to CEO Gail Heimann, who became president in 2013 and retained the position in the two years since being named CEO.

“Susan is the ultimate connector. Her deep understanding of our network, our talent, our work and our expertise around the world is extraordinary — and incredibly important as we harness the global power of our agency to drive value for our clients and provide meaningful opportunity for our people,” Heimann said. “Susan’s mark on our agency to date is profound — from the way we team to solve and how we share generously and celebrate often. I truly value her partnership, her infectious positivity and her unwavering commitment to our agency.”

Howe has served in a range of leadership positions since joining Weber Shandwick in 1996 as a senior VP and group manager.

During her 18 months as the agency’s first chief growth officer, Howe was responsible for enhancing collaboration between sectors and specialties throughout the organization to drive growth. Weber Shandwick has yet to choose Howe’s successor in the role, an agency spokesperson said.

Previously, Howe was the agency’s chief collaboration officer, as which she was charged with driving integration among the agency’s disciplines. While in that position, Howe helped create and implement a new approach to talent mapping and teaming which led to a new talent strategy. She was also responsible for the agency’s global consumer marketing practice, and Chicago operation.