USA
Jarrard Expands Leadership Team with Senior Appointment and Multiple New Hires: U.S.-based healthcare strategic communications consultancy Jarrard has announced a major expansion of its leadership and consulting teams, appointing Kate Katz as Senior Vice President while promoting several senior leaders and welcoming a group of experienced professionals across its practices.
With more than 20 years of experience advising healthcare organizations across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, Katz brings deep expertise in helping executive teams improve performance and achieve strategic, financial, and clinical goals. Prior to joining Jarrard, she led Healthcare Change Management and Leadership Capability at Huron Consulting Group. Earlier in her career, she spent a year working with the Brookings Institution Center for Health Policy.
Anne Hancock Toomey, President and Co-Founder of Jarrard, said Katz’s leadership comes at a critical time as healthcare organizations navigate rapid technological and operational change.
“Kate is renowned for her expertise in strategically leading change in the AI era,” Toomey said. “She is a transformation activator — delivering measurable improvements in organizational performance, engagement and sustainability.”
Leadership Promotions
Alongside the senior appointment, Jarrard also announced several leadership promotions.
Tim Stewart has been promoted to Senior Partner. Stewart joined the firm in 2015 and leads the Academic Health System Practice as well as the company’s thought leadership initiatives.
Milli Vincent has been elevated to Partner after joining the firm in 2019, where she serves as deputy lead for the 20-person Academic Health Systems Practice.
Crista Stark has also been named Partner. Stark joined the organization in 2022 as Chief Growth Officer following a career focused on driving growth and value creation across healthcare organizations.
“These individuals bring unmatched strategic impact not only to their work with clients but also to the firm’s growth and development,” Toomey said. “Each also serves as a cultural leader at our firm — shaping their practices and mentoring colleagues.”
Additional New Hires
To support rising demand for its services in issue navigation, crisis communications, growth strategy, and change management, Jarrard has expanded its team with several new professionals.
New colleagues joining the firm include:
- Julie Ashby, Vice President, Academic Practice. Ashby brings experience in children’s hospitals, brand strategy, marketing, and health technology. She previously served as vice president of marketing for Teladoc Health’s Hospitals & Health Division.
- Zack Rearick, Vice President, Regional Practice, a strategic healthcare communications professional with previous leadership experience at a Philadelphia-based communications firm.
- Vincent Rhodes, Vice President, Academic Practice, known for expertise in crisis management and brand engagement.
- Robert Bailey, Associate Vice President, Jarrard Market Research & Insights, a behavioral researcher with experience at Edelman, Harris and Ernst & Young.
- Matt Longman, Associate Vice President, Health Service & Technology Practice, previously holding leadership roles at Merck.
- Allison Nemec, Senior Managing Advisor, National Practice, bringing experience managing large-scale public health campaigns.
- Chris Robinson, Art Director, with more than a decade of design and agency experience.
- Becky Stinemetze, Marketing Manager, specializing in brand messaging, storytelling, and digital marketing strategies.
- Sophia Schmidt, Senior Advisor, Advisor Group, focusing on health communications and scientific storytelling.
- Ashley Cunigan, Advisor, Advisor Group, known for translating complex healthcare messaging into clear, engaging communications.
Founded in 2006, Jarrard specializes in helping healthcare leaders navigate critical moments of change, crisis, and growth. The firm provides expertise in communications strategy, research, marketing, and political advisory services, and has worked with more than 1,800 clients across 49 U.S. states.
Jarrard operates as a division of Chartis Group, a leading healthcare advisory firm. With its expanded leadership team, the company aims to strengthen its ability to guide healthcare organizations through the increasingly complex challenges of the modern healthcare landscape.
