The new hire will lead Weber Shandwick efforts involving educational institutions to advance their missions and reputation in the market.
Weber Shandwick has welcomed Drew O’Brien on board as Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships as part of the firm’s Global Corporate practice. He was formerly special representative for global partnerships in the U.S. Secretary of State’s Office of Global Partnerships.
His appointment also follows his previous commission a senior adviser to Secretary Kerry, a position he led for more than a decade. Based in Boston, he will lead the agency’s efforts working with educational institutions to advance their missions and reputation in the market.
In his new capacity, O’Brien will work with leading public and private organisations worldwide to drive corporate social responsibility initiatives and develop partnerships which create market opportunity, facilitate social impact, and generate high-profile brand enhancement.
At the U.S. Department of State, he developed sustainable public-private partnerships globally, including mobilising various organisations in response to West Africa’s Ebola crisis in 2014. He also led the first Partnership Opportunity Delegations (PDOs) to drive government-level collaborations with businesses.
Under Kerry, he played a lead role in major policy and legislative deliberations, including negotiations around foreign relations, small business issues, veterans’ affairs, immigration concerns, environmental policy, housing development as well as healthcare issues.
Earlier in his career, the industry veteran worked on Thomas M. Menino’s campaign for mayor of Boston. He served as a special assistant and as chief speechwriter for several years before being appointed Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services.
“Our clients navigating complex issues and we need to help them think creatively. There’s no one more qualified than Drew to help our corporate clients realise their social and business objectives simultaneously,” said Micho Spring, Chair, Global Corporate Practice and President, New England for Weber Shandwick.
