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Kristin Cahill named Global CEO of GCI Health; Wendy Lund departs agency for in-house role 

by | Nov 23, 2020

GCI Health, an award-winning global integrated communications agency specializing in healthcare, announced that Kristin Cahill has been named Global Chief Executive Officer of the agency, effective January 1st. Cahill replaces Wendy Lund, who has been CEO since 2010 and who is leaving the agency at the end of the year to take on the role of Chief Communications Officer at Organon & Co. GCI Health is part of BCW Group, and Cahill will report to Donna Imperato, Chief Executive Officer.

Kristin Cahill

Kristin Cahill

Cahill joined GCI Health in 2003, rising to become New York Market Leader and subsequently President, North America, a role she has held since 2015. Across her career at GCI Health, Cahill has led major global client engagements with some of the top healthcare organizations in the world, played an integral role in recruiting, business development and overall operations, and has helped drive significant growth in North America, including 25 percent growth in 2020.

“I’m excited for Kristin to lead GCI Health as global CEO after five years of successfully heading up North America, the agency’s largest region,” said Imperato. “Kristin has spent her entire career in the healthcare industry, providing strategic and creative counsel to clients, recruiting and retaining the industry’s top talent, and fostering a very strong culture. She also has been a key member of the exceptional GCI Health leadership team that catapulted the agency from a boutique into a global powerhouse. Kristin is a celebrated leader who will take GCI Health to the next level.”

Wendy Lund

Wendy Lund

Cahill commented, “I’m so honored to be named CEO of GCI Health during one of the most important times in history for healthcare. Our tremendous team takes pride in being a go-to partner for clients who need strategic, integrated communications programs that consider the very distinct perspectives and specific needs of all stakeholders – patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, policy makers and payers. I’m excited to build on the incredible foundation that Wendy created and to continue to help our clients make a profound difference in people’s lives.”

Cahill was named to MM+M’s Hall of Femme in 2020, PRWeek’s 40 Under 40 List in 2018, and in 2016 she was a finalist for PR News’ PR Professional of the Year. Early in her career, she was also given Honorable Mention for PRWeek’s Young PR Professional of the Year.​ She currently serves on the Board of Directors for HealthyWomen.​

Donna Imperato

Donna Imperato

Commenting on Lund’s tenure at GCI Health, Imperato said: “Wendy has been an incredible leader who worked tenaciously to build GCI Health into what it is today. She established the strong foundation and global leadership team that has set the agency up for continuing growth. Under Wendy’s leadership, revenue has grown exponentially and the agency expanded from a small, 30-person shop to one with 16 offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific. I have absolutely loved working with Wendy and wish her every success in her new role. The teams of professionals at GCI Health will certainly miss Wendy’s nurturing spirit and support, as will her colleagues throughout the BCW Group.”

Added Lund, “I am so proud of the extraordinary team at GCI Health who are among the best in the healthcare communications industry. I know they will take the agency to the next level with Kristin’s leadership. Kristin is well-prepared for this role, and I know she will do a fantastic job as CEO. Joining Organon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., is a wonderful opportunity to embrace my long-standing commitment to the health and well-being of women, lead communications as the company prepares to spin off and drive commercial success in markets all over the world.”

GCI Health was named an Agency of the Decade in 2020, Global Healthcare Agency of the Year (2015, 2017, 2020) and North America Healthcare Agency of the Year (2011, 2015, 2017, 2019) by PRovoke Media; PRWeek Creative Agency of the Year in 2020; MM+M Midsized Agency of the Year in 2019; and, has been recognized as a Best Place to Work 18 times in North America, Europe and Asia.

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