Page People

Issue 5 | November 7, 2024

Welcome to the fifth edition of our monthly newsletter: “Page People.” This initiative aims to spotlight the remarkable individuals who are part of this vibrant community. Each month, we’ll dive into the journeys, insights, and contributions of our members, celebrating the diversity of talent and experience that defines Page. We hope you find inspiration in the stories of your fellow members and that these stories spark connections for you.

Page | Executive Vice President Corporate Communications & Governmental Affairs, Robert Bosch

Current role: I am the Executive Vice President Corporate Communications & Governmental Affairs at the global technology company Robert Bosch. In that capacity I am the CCO of the Group which has 420.000 employees worldwide and generates a revenue of 91bn. Throughout my career I have been regularly teaching communications management at universities and business schools. Since 2013 I am an honorary professor for International Corporate Communications at Leipzig University where I teach master students. In April 2024 I was elected Chairman of the Board of the private Günter-Thiele-Foundation committed to research and teaching in the field of communications management.

Previous roles: Before joining Bosch in 2019, I was the Head of Corporate Communications & Responsibility and Executive Vice President at Deutsche Post DHL Group, with about 500.000 employees in more than 200 countries and territories the

world´s leading mail and logistics Group. Prior to this assignment I was leading Corporate Communications at European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS, the mother company of Airbus) after having served as CCO of the ethical pharmaceutical company Schering AG. Having started my career doing communications in the media industry, I look back on 30 years of experience as professional in international communications and related fields.

A little bit about me: I deem it to be my biggest accomplishment that besides my very busy professional life I have a wonderful family with two grown-up sons and the best wife on the planet. In communications I had the privilege to be named “PR Manager of the Year” in Germany 2017 and this fall I will receive – together with our CEO Stefan Hartung – the “German Image Award” for the company with the best international media image. I am the first communications executive in Germany to receive this prestigious award a second time and for a different company (having won it already 2017 for my work at Deutsche Post DHL Group). It feels like having led two different sports teams to the championship.

Fun fact: I am a certified skiing instructor and have crossed the alps repeatedly on my mountain bike.

Ask me about: The REAL impact of AI on our discipline which goes far beyond making communications management more effective or efficient. We must discuss the long-term consequences of delegating human judgement in culturally highly sensitive matters to technology.

Meet Laura Washington

Page | President and CEO, Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley

Current role: My main duty is to lead our organization in fostering sustainable growth and improving the overall quality of life in Ulster, Dutchess, and Putnam counties. Through close collaboration with donors, partners, and local leaders, I prioritize allocating resources toward causes that hold significance for both our contributors and our region. In this multifaceted role, I am responsible for overseeing daily operations, shaping long-term strategic plans, and positioning our foundation as a prominent force in the community. My goal is to create a more vibrant and resilient environment for all residents while ensuring that philanthropic investments align with donor objectives and have a lasting impact.

Previous roles: Before joining CFHV, I was CCO and VP for Strategic Partnerships at the New-York Historical Society, where I led initiatives that elevated engagement and visibility and managed a portfolio of public fundraising efforts, securing support from city, state, and federal agencies. Prior to that, I established the first communications function at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, integrating strategic communications across grantmaking and institutional culture and launching campaigns that strengthened support for arts and humanities philanthropy.

A little bit about me: Early in my career, I covered taxes and finance as a journalist, but after 9/11, my focus shifted when I volunteered with the Partnership for New York, helping small businesses access critical resources to support the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan. This experience opened the door to public relations and community-centered work, ultimately leading me into the nonprofit sector.

Fun fact: In an earlier chapter of my life, I spent a year on a European tour with the production Sophisticated Ladies.

Ask me about: I’d love to connect with others about the role of communications as a pathway to the CEO position.

Meet Mikey Hoare

Page Up | Director, Kekst CNC

Current role: I work on crisis communications, from cyber incidents to safety issues to tackling executive misconduct. I help tech clients plan and deliver effective communications. And I advise on the geopolitical aspects of global companies’ messaging.

Previous roles: I worked in UK Government for 20 years, and before that I’d been a financial journalist, so the UK Foreign Office put me into media handling jobs, like Press Secretary at the UK Mission to the UN in New York, Head of Communications at the British Embassy in Washington DC, press adviser to the British Foreign Secretary, and running the Foreign Office’s press office through multiple crises. I was also director of communications at one of the UK’s national security agencies, and I finished my career in Government as the Director of National Security Communications, leading for example on countering hostile state disinformation, and UK Government messaging on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A little bit about me: I take pride in helping keep my team (mostly) sane through some very difficult crises: hostage situations; terrorist attacks; evacuations; and wars, and being honest (again, mostly) with the politicians I've worked for. In my free time I enjoy playing sports with my kids, or watching them play sports, it makes me very happy.

Piece of advice: Listen. It’s the single most important asset in a communicator.

Ask me about: Crisis communications. Geopolitics. Use of AI in corporate affairs. Explaining complex tech, like quantum.

Meet Alyssa Gilmore

Page Up | Global Head of Communications, Financial Products, Bloomberg LP

Current role: As the global head of communications for Bloomberg’s financial business, I lead a team of talented communicators in strategic initiatives to protect, promote and future-proof our company’s reputation. Our scope includes media and analyst relations, awards and third-party advocacy, crisis communications, market and competitive insights and narrative development to inform our customers and entice new prospects.

Previous roles: I’ve always been fascinated by the power technology has to change the ways in which we work, and particularly its transformative impact on the financial ecosystem. Before my decade at Bloomberg, I held senior marketing and communications roles at Thomson Financial (pre-Reuters) and SunGard Financial Systems (now FIS). I was in financial technology before it was #FinTech”!

A little bit about me: I’ve never stayed within the confines of a job description for very long; I always find ways to break down walls and silos to create solutions and teams that
address business problems. This has helped me lead cross-firm initiatives
ranging from product launches to global crisis responses and corporate actions
management. The accomplishment of which I’m most proud is earning the trust of my team and colleagues to make tough decisions on critical issues.

Fun Fact: In my four years at college, I earned two degrees: Theater and Psychology. While I expected to use these for a storied lifetime run on Broadway, they gave me an amazing basis for a career in financial marcomms...especially when I was improvising my way through those early media backgrounders on shortening the post-trade processing cycle! I’m also a group strength fitness instructor at my local YMCA, an enthusiastic-but-inconsistent vegetable gardener, and mother to two young men and two Boston Terriers.

Teach me about: I’m a total Marcomms nerd – I love to dive deep into the possibilities and challenges of our profession. I’m as eager to learn as I am to share my thoughts on leadership, macro factors, technology, best-practices, risk management, collaboration and so much more.

Our Newest Members

The Page community just grew! Connect with our new Page and Page Up members, and show them why our community is so great.

Page People News

🏆 Congratulations are in order - Evan Kraus and APCO Worldwide were presented with the 2024 Page Up Innovation Award at the Page Up Annual Conference in Boston. Their AI platform, Margy, is a testament to the power of human expertise combined with cutting-edge technology. Congratulations Evan and the entire APCO team on this well-deserved recognition!

🎧 Listen to this - In the latest episode of #TheNewCCO podcast we have an inspiring conversation with Catherine Frymark, EVP of Corporate Communications at Mattel, Inc. We dive deep into the incredible success story behind Barbie’s brand transformation.

Is there something or someone you'd like to spotlight in our next newsletter? If you have published something recently, got recognized for a professional achievement or would like to highlight a fellow member's accomplishment, please let us know by sending an email to Mia Skwiot at mskwiot@page.org.