From Promote to Protect: The Evolution of the Communicator, With Jessamyn Katz

PodCatalyst: The Official Podcast of IABC

This episode of PodCatalyst features guest host Kamyar Naficy, chair of the IABC International Executive Board, and Jessamyn Katz, CEO of Heyman Associates, a leading executive search firm focused on communications, corporate affairs, marketing, and investor relations.

Jessamyn has been with Heyman Associates for nearly two decades. Since 2019, she’s led the firm’s strategy and day-to-day operations. In January 2024, she stepped into the role of CEO.

Tune in as Jessamyn touches on the trends she’s seeing in national and global executive searches. As the role of the communicator evolves, the function only grows more important. Learn about the shifts she’s seeing in strategy, managing communications through political cycles, the emergence of comms “plus” roles, skills gaps and the evolution of AI, and more.

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As CEO of Heyman Associates, Jessamyn sets high standards for client work. She manages the overall success of the firm while also leading major national and global searches. After nearly a decade in New York, she built the firm’s West Coast presence and has developed close relationships across varying industries coast-to-coast and is a sought-after advisor.

Jessamyn’s intellectual curiosity and passion for getting to know people allow her to lead searches to fill myriad executive-level roles in strategic communications, investor relations, marketing, and other specialties within those functions. She advises clients across sectors, with an emphasis on technology, health care, financial services, nonprofits, and higher education. She is also an active member of the Arthur W. Page Society, is on the board of the Public Affairs Council, and was named one of PRWeek’s 2020 Women to Watch.

Jessamyn developed a taste for public relations while still in college through internships at Abernathy MacGregor and Burson-Marsteller and knew she wanted to spend her career around people who build brands and protect their reputations. With two decades of experience in the function of communications, she’s a credible counselor to clients and candidates who keeps a close watch on where these functions are heading.

Jessamyn is a cum laude graduate of Bucknell University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education. Having lived in Texas, Switzerland, New York, and California, she approaches work and life with a broad worldview. These days, she and her husband Nick, and the newest addition to their family – their daughter Grace – call California wine country home base. Her Papillons, Olivia and Marlowe, are very much enjoying life with a growing family.

Kamyar Naficy is managing director of Alberin, a strategic communications consultancy for finance, technology and sustainability. With over 20 years of experience, Kamyar advises clients in the US, Europe and the Middle East on all aspects of corporate, financial and marketing communications. Prior to working at Alberin, Kamyar held senior communications positions at JP Morgan, London Stock Exchange Group and UniCredit. Earlier in his career, he worked in investment banking and management consulting. He holds a BA from the London School of Economics and a MPhil in Management Studies from Cambridge University. View Kamyar’s LinkedIn profile.

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LINKS

Mentioned in this episode

Heyman Associates: https://www.heymanassociates.com/

Research on the function: https://www.heymanassociates.com/_files/ugd/442ad7_1694e1ef3f1345a8940db9a8232f4e93.pdf

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