Seleana Wright, an award-winning strategic communications expert with two decades of experience strengthening corporate reputation and helping companies define DE&I commitments and strategies, joined APCO Worldwide as senior director, Licy M. Do Canto, managing director of APCO’s Washington, D.C., headquarters office, announced.
“Today’s environment has forced organizations and their leaders to rethink their corporate communications strategies and overall reputation, particularly when it comes to DE&I,” Do Canto said. “Seleana has a wealth of experience in this area and a successful track record to prove it. At APCO we strive to provide our clients with the advice, counsel and tools to reach stakeholders, shape organizational culture, amplify their messages and ultimately define what they stand for. Seleana’s addition to the team will do just that in a critical issue area that companies are recognizing deserves attention and commitment.”
Prior to joining APCO, Wright most recently worked at H+K, leading the company’s DE&I capabilities—providing strategic counsel and program support across sectors. She has partnered with Proctor & Gamble, Corning, Campari, San Manuel Casino, Ford, Spotify and Adidas, among other companies. In addition to brands, Wright’s experience extends to supporting government agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Homeland Security.
“Public demand has been a catalyst for companies and agencies to be present in their diversity, equity and inclusion commitments and not leverage these commitments as aspirational,” Wright said. “The global awakening for equity and deep introspection is no longer a responsibility relegated to HR teams, but requires corporations, agencies and each individual to do meaningful, yet hard work to make our world a better place. This collective contribution is why I’m so happy to be part of the APCO family! Through APCO’s deep expertise and track record in being a leader in public policy, corporate communications and equity justice provides a solid foundation for this work.”
Wright also previously led FEMA Risk Analysis Directorate’s DE&I program analysis. This included primary and secondary research to better understand vulnerabilities as the program serves all communities, with the most vulnerable being at most risk of property loss and loss of life in natural disasters. Through this research, insights and recommendations, the program now takes an equity-centered approach to serving communities.
Wright joins a deep bench of industry veterans at APCO with a wealth of knowledge and experience, including Do Canto; Pamela Passman, managing director of APCO’s New York office and chair of corporate; Denielle Sachs, global lead of APCO Impact; Charlene Wheeless, senior advisor for equity and justice; Elle Arlook, Equity & Justice practice lead; Katie Sprehe, senior director of reputation research for APCO Insight; and Stephanie Waties, senior director focused on corporate reputation. Most recently, Sharron Silvers, an experienced corporate brand reputation and media strategy expert with more than two decades of experience providing strategic counsel for clients across industries and sectors, joined APCO as senior director in New York.
For more than 38 years, APCO has been a trusted advisor and partner to private, public and non-profit clients as they try to identify and manage new and emerging issues, challenges and opportunities around the world. Established by Margery Kraus as a single-person operation in 1984, APCO has grown to a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy helping clients be catalysts for progress through its 950+ staff and International Advisory Council members in more than 30 markets, and having experience working in more than 80 markets globally, providing in-depth advice, perceptive guidance and creative approaches for its clients.
About APCO Worldwide
APCO Worldwide is an advisory and advocacy communications consultancy helping leading public and private sector organizations be catalysts for progress by navigating the challenges of today, acting with agility, anticipating social risk and building organizational reputations, relationships and solutions to succeed. APCO is an independent and majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.
