Padilla Welcomes Financial Services Practice Lead

Category

Company News

Published on:

November 11, 2024

Author:

MINNEAPOLIS Nov. 11, 2024 – Ryan Smartt has joined Padilla as vice president of Financial Services. Based in Richmond, Va., he will be responsible for serving and growing the firm’s diverse financial services portfolio. In addition, he will be part of the leadership team within the agency’s Corporate Advisory Group, which specializes in financial communications, employee engagement, crisis and issues management, community/social impact communications strategy and executive leadership coaching.

Smartt comes to Padilla following a distinguished tenure at DuPont, where he most recently served as head of communications for the company’s Water & Protection operations. During the pandemic, he successfully navigated ongoing challenges and led communication strategies directed at more than 8,000 employees, maintaining workforce engagement, morale and alignment with company core values.

“Ryan’s diverse experience will be invaluable to financial services and corporate communications clients who come to Padilla with the need for transformation,” said Matt Kucharski, president of Padilla. “He has the right background, core skill sets, and personality to be a great long-term leader at our firm.”

Prior to DuPont, Smartt served as senior communications manager at Capital One, where he spearheaded HR communications for more than 46,000 associates, as well as raised awareness of Capital One’s community involvement strategy and corporate social responsibility efforts. He also previously served as a communications manager for Genworth Financial.

“I am thoroughly impressed by Padilla’s strategic vision and collaborative approach to integrated communications,” Smartt said. “I’ll be working alongside some extremely talented corporate communications professionals and I’m eager to see what innovative solutions we can develop together. This next chapter of my career holds great promise, and I can’t wait to dive in and contribute to Padilla’s continued success.”

RELATED Posts

In2 SABRE Award

Company News

Padilla Shortlisted for In2 SABRE Awards

Recognized among more than 850 total entries in the 2024 competition, Padilla is a PRovoke Innovation SABRE Awards North America finalist.

Company News

Padilla Earns 5 Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards

Padilla's campaigns with Jack Link's, Hennepin County, GREATER MSP Partnership, and BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota won awards.

A woman at a podium for the 2023 Virginia Public Relations Awards.

Company News

Padilla Earns Best-in-Show Award at 2023 Virginia Public Relations Awards

Padilla was recognized with six awards, including Best-in-Show of the Capital Award category, during the 2023 Virginia PR Awards.

Company News

Padilla Earns 2 Telly Awards

The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders across the media industry.

A group of Padilla employees take a photo together holding an award.

Company News

Padilla Earns 4 PRSA National Anvil Awards

Padilla was recognized with four awards at the 2024 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Anvil Awards.

Company News

Padilla Earns 2023 Best of NAMA Award

The National Agri-Marketing Association recognized Padilla with a 2023 Best of NAMA national award in the Webinars and Podcasts category.

A display of In2 Sabre Award trophies lined up on a table with the words Innovation SABRE Awards North America 2025 finalists over it

Company News

Padilla Shortlisted for 2025 PRovoke In2 SABRE Awards

Padilla is a PRovoke Innovation SABRE Awards North America finalist in two categories.

Company News

Tina Charpentier Receives Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Award

Tina Charpentier, Padilla executive vice president, Client Experience, is a Ragan’s Top Women in Communications Awards honoree.

Company News

Padilla Earns Honors at PRSA New York Awards

The New York chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized Padilla at the 2024 Big Apple Awards.

A collection of silver trophys awarded at the SABRE awards.

Company News

Padilla Shortlisted for 2025 SABRE Awards

Padilla is recognized by PRovoke Media as a North American SABRE Award finalist with Jack Link’s.

Padilla Employees gathered at the Virginia PR Awards ceremony holding their awards

Company News

Padilla Earns Best in Show at the Virginia PR Awards

The Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized Padilla with 10 awards, including Best in Show honors.

4 Padilla employees are holding their Avenir award plaques, standing together for a group photo

Company News

AVENIR GLOBAL Names 2024 Achievement Awards Honorees

Padilla’s parent company, AVENIR GLOBAL, announced its annual Achievement Awards celebrating the achievements of employees.

A silver anvils medal from the Public Relations Society of America with "finalist" across the front on a blue ribbon.

Company News

Padilla is a PRSA Anvil Awards Finalist

Padilla is a finalist with the Norwegian Seafood Council for the 2025 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Anvil Awards.

A poster for the 45th annual Telly Awards which contains a disco ball and trophy with other various shapes on a blue background.

Company News

Padilla Earns 9 Telly Awards

Our work with the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and Richmond Region Tourism earned nine Telly Award wins.

Bright oranges growing on an orange tree.

Company News

Florida Department of Citrus Selects Padilla as Consumer Marketing and Issues Management AOR

Following a highly competitive search, the Florida Department of Citrus has selected Padilla as its marketing and communications partner.

A person in a jump suit with the words 'brand refresh team' on the back is spray painting an empty wall. The words 'Suit Up! It's time for a brand refresh' are on the wall as well.

Company News

Suit Up, It’s Time for a Brand Refresh.

Padilla has ushered in a new look and feel for 2025 and beyond.

A circle with the w3 awards logo inside that says 2024 silver winner at the bottom.

Company News

Padilla Earns Three w3 Awards

Padilla has been recognized by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts with three Silver w3 Awards.

The 2024 silver anvil finalist medal, a silver circle with a blue ribbon across the bottom.

Company News

Padilla is Anvil Awards Finalist

Padilla is a finalist for the PRSA Anvil Awards, which honors communications campaigns and the tactics that contributed their success.

Company News

Padilla Named to Chief Marketer 200

Padilla has been named among the Chief Marketer 200 (CM200) in the B2B Brand Engagement Agencies category.

Company News

Jeff Wilson Receives PRSA Richmond’s Excellence in Public Relations Award

Jeff Wilson, VP of Workplace Culture, DEI and Chief of Staff at Padilla, has been honored with a career achievement award from PRSA Richmond.

More Posts

All News
No items found.

Reach Out

We're excited to talk transformation and help you get where you need to be.