Burson Hires Veteran Leader as Chief People Officer in the Americas

New York (Monday, August 17, 2026) - Burson, the global communications leader purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation, today announced the hire of Molly Roenna as the Americas Chief People Officer, effective immediately.

Roenna joins Burson from The Weber Shandwick Collective, where she served as Global Chief People Officer, overseeing the firm's global People strategy supporting more than 3,500 colleagues across nearly 60 markets. She brings more than 25 years of experience leading people strategy, organizational transformation and culture across complex, multinational agency networks.

"Our founder, Harold Burson, once said that 'people in this business are the greatest asset, the only real asset, that you really have'-and that core belief remains the foundation of everything we do at Burson," said Kristine Boyden, Americas CEO, Burson. "With that commitment in mind, we sought to find a leader who not only brings deep experience championing talent and culture, but someone who genuinely believes in what we're building here and who can help scale our ambitions and fuel our momentum. Molly is a proven, people-first leader who understands our industry inside and out, and I am thrilled to welcome her to our regional leadership team during such a pivotal time for our agency and our talented workforce."

Throughout her career, Roenna has been a trusted advisor to many senior leadership teams, shaping people strategies that foster innovation, strengthen organizational effectiveness and create exceptional employee experiences and culture.

"At Burson, we are deeply committed to investing in our people, fostering continuous growth and creating a workplace where every colleague can achieve their highest aspirations," said Azurée Montoute-Lewis, Global Chief People Officer, Burson. "Molly is a trusted counselor and strategic partner who will play a key role in developing our talent and cultivating a culture that drives innovation across the region. Her extensive experience in talent management and employee engagement will be invaluable as we continue to advance our global People function agenda, ensuring our people can thrive."

Prior to her global role at The Weber Shandwick Collective, Roenna spent nearly two decades in human resources across North America for the agency, including as Chief People Officer, North America. In these roles, she expanded leadership development, and championed initiatives that strengthened employee engagement and organizational effectiveness across the region.

"Great agencies are built by great people, and it's clear that Burson is on a path to redefine what a modern communications agency can be" said Roenna. "The caliber of talent already in place is proof that Burson not only builds reputation for its clients, but exemplifies that ambition from the inside out. I am thrilled to join this incredible team and help shape how we develop, support and elevate our people as we lead our industry forward."