10/27/21

Padilla Announces Agency Promotions

MINNEAPOLIS (October 27, 2021) – We’re pleased to announce the promotion of 14 of our team members who have performed extremely well in their current roles, and who have demonstrated the ability to excel in their new positions, helping clients transform by building, growing, and protecting brands and reputations.  

“These colleagues are being recognized for their accomplishments and achievements in client service or agency operations,” said Matt Kucharski, Padilla president. “They also demonstrate our values and beliefs on a daily basis and help our clients transform with purpose across multiple industries worldwide.”  

Washington D.C. 

Kim Blake was promoted from senior director to vice president in Padilla’s Health practice. With nearly 20 years of strategic communications experience in the health care industry, she has worked extensively with providers, payers and associations. Currently, she leads the agency’s work for clients such as CommonSpirit Health, Mayo Clinic, VITAS Healthcare, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.    

Richmond 

Julie McCracken was promoted from senior director to vice president in Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group, where she focuses on social impact, employee engagement, corporate culture and change communications. A seasoned communications professional, who has been with the agency for 20 years, Julie provides counsel for clients including Edward Jones and Dominion Energy. She helped lead the development of Padilla’s Social Impact Consultancy, which includes environmental, science and governance (ESG), diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), and community relations capabilities. 

Jen Baybutt was promoted from manager to senior manager in Padilla’s Channels team.  

Ali Hutcheson was promoted from senior strategist to manager in Padilla’s Channels team. 

Minneapolis 

Kenny Devine was promoted from senior account executive to account supervisor in Padilla’s Corporate Advisory Group. 

Vasil Gerchev was promoted from accounts payable specialist to staff accountant for Padilla. 

Alyssa Dettloff was promoted from assistant account executive to account executive in Padilla’s Technology practice.  

New York 

Chelsea ElkinMS, RD, was promoted from director to senior director at FoodMinds. 

Danielle Pesce was promoted from director to senior director in Padilla’s Food + Beverage practice.  

Katie Hill was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Food + Beverage practice. 

Lindsay McConnell was promoted from social media strategist to senior social media strategist in Padilla’s Channels team.  

Emma Bond was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Food + Beverage practice. 

Carson Creehan was promoted from account executive to senior account executive in Padilla’s Health practice.  

San Francisco 

Lauren Hoffman, MBA, RD, was promoted from director to senior director at FoodMinds. 


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