Lochlin Partners Places Chief Communications Officer for American Psychiatric Association
October 3, 2016 – Search boutique Lochlin Partners has recruited former Defense Health Agency executive Tanya Bradsher as chief communications officer at the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Managing partners Patrick Friel and Liza Wright led the assignment.
In her new role, Ms. Bradsher will conceptualize, develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance APA’s mission and goals. She will oversee all communications, public affairs, integrated marketing and member communications for the organization.
Vigilant Caretakers of Corporate Brands
The chief communications officer (CCO) of a company is typically responsible for communications to a wide range of stakeholders, including employees, shareholders, media, bloggers, influential members of the business community, the press, the community and the public. In recent years, according to recruiters specializing in finding C-suite communications talent, the position has come to embody the communications risks and opportunities of a business, both internally and externally.
Most organizations today, they said, rely on the CCO to advise and participate in decisions that may impact the ongoing reputation of the firm. According to a recent report by Korn Ferry, 46 percent of CCOs report to the CEO, while 14 percent report to a chief administrative officer and 10 percent report to a chief marketing officer. It is their growing proximity to the CEO that has the CCO role gaining in influence.
Ms. Bradsher joins the APA after serving as chief of communications plans and operations at the Defense Health Agency, a new combat support agency that provides all of the shared services to support healthcare for the Department of Defense. She managed a team responsible for developing the media strategies for Department of Defense’s almost 10 million beneficiaries, which is provided through the $17 billion health defense program.
Ms. Bradsher, a former Army press and PA officer, spent three years at the White House, including in the Office of Public Engagement focused on veterans, wounded warriors and military family outreach.
The APA Foundation recently turned to Vetted Solutions to find Daniel Gillison as its executive director. It sought a new leader to work with the board and staff to increase financial support from funders, with a particular emphasis on increasing the number of APA members who support the foundation.
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose 36,500 physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses, including substance use disorders. Its vision is a society that has available, accessible quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
Lochlin Partners, based in the Washington, D.C., area, conducts searches for board and executive level positions within government & corporate affairs, government contracting, technology & services, higher education, the public sector, financial services, and healthcare.
For almost 20 years, Mr. Friel, the recruiter who handled this search, has provided executive recruiting and leadership advisory services to a broad range of clients. He works extensively with government, technology and professional services organizations, trade and membership associations and non-profits, helping build their management teams.
Ms. Wright has over 20 years of experience in the executive recruiting industry. She has completed searches for CEOs, board members, presidents and other functional vice presidents at start-up firms, small and medium sized public and private firms, major Fortune 100 corporations and leading non-profit entities.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
