• by Larissa Faw , August 19, 2019

VMLY&R is adding three executives to its North American leadership ranks including 11-year agency veteran Jen McDonald, who has been promoted to Chief Client Officer of the region.

McDonald will oversee client engagement across all U.S. offices and is responsible for driving growth, developing talent and delivering and integrating VMLY&R’s evolving offerings.

In addition to this remit, McDonald will continue to lead the Wendy’s business for the WPP-owned agency. She will report to Chuck Searle, Global Chief Client Officer, and stay based in VMLY&R’s Kansas City office.

Michelle Derderian departs FCB Chicago, where was a senior vice president in the Chicago office, to join as executive director, client engagement to serve as part of the agency's Chicago leadership team. She will responsible for the agency’s client engagement team and all key accounts in the office, including Kraft Heinz.

She will report to McDonald and partner closely with executive director and office lead Madeline Larsen and executive creative director Aaron Evanson to focus on growth in the market.

Najla Haddad has been appointed executive director, client engagement and will lead global digital transformation initiatives for Colgate-Palmolive (C-P) and be part of the VMLY&R New York leadership team. She will report to McDonald and Carl Hartman, CEO of C-P's bespoke shop Red Fuse Communications.