NEW YORK--Renee Wilson is to take charge of MSLGroup North America, following the departure of Jim Tsokanos.

Tsokanos departs the firm after 11 years for an "entrepreneurial venture." Wilson, who was named global chief client officer earlier this year, will assume her new role on 10 September.

"Renee has been part of our strategic succession plan for many years.  Indeed her global perspective and previous experience as both chief client officer for the network, and managing director of the flagship New York office, make her the ideal executive to lead our operations in North America," said MSLGroup CEO Olivier Fleurot. 

Tsokanos' tenure at the firm included running the Atlanta business, before becoming New York MD and then, eventually, president of the Americas region. He oversaw the integration of 17 operations into the MSLGroup network, along with the acquisition of Schwartz, and expansion of the firm's Latin American footprint. 

"We accomplished a lot together," said Fleurot. "With the network transformation near complete, Jim felt this was the right time to pursue a new challenge that brings him closer to clients and meets his entrepreneurial passions.  We have been discussing this for some time and worked on a transition together."

The network's operation in Latin America will continue to be managed by Paulo Andreoli, CEO of Andreoli MSL Brazil, who will now report directly to Olivier Fleurot. 

The news comes amid a class-action gender discrimination lawsuit brought against MSLGroup by former executives. The firm has previously denied the claims, but declined to comment today on the ongoing litigation.