Firm to Establish New Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Team Structure

Edelman today announced the appointment of Trisch Smith as managing director, Diversity & Inclusion, Edelman U.S. In this new and expanded role, Smith will partner with leaders across offices, practices, sectors and Human Resources to guide the firm’s organizational strategy and approach surrounding diversity and inclusion. Smith will lead diversity and inclusion training and development, diversity recruitment and engagement to ensure Edelman’s workforce reflects the makeup of the local communities and the increasingly diverse audiences we serve. She will work in close collaboration with the U.S. leadership team and will report to Julianna Richter, chief operating officer, Edelman U.S.

“We are committed to strengthening our diversity and inclusion efforts and to ensuring Edelman is a highly desirable and accepting work environment for all our employees,” said Richter. “Trisch’s proven experience, background and personal commitment to diversity make her the natural choice to lead our diversity and inclusion efforts going forward.”

In collaboration with a new Edelman Diversity & Inclusion Leadership team, Smith will continue to build awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion, and to cultivate relationships with external partners, thought leaders, educational institutions and other public and private organizations. The Leadership team will be formalized in the coming months and will comprise of internal experts and advocates who will help establish concrete goals and strategies for improving diversity in our workforce and culture.

“I am looking forward to helping to create a diverse and rich workforce inclusive of all backgrounds, beliefs, skillsets and experiences and advancing our diversity and inclusion efforts to have an meaningful impact on our company, our clients and our industry,” said Smith.

Smith, an executive vice president based in Edelman’s Washington, D.C. office, is a 15-year veteran of Edelman. During her tenure, she has managed stakeholder outreach, strategic positioning, reputation/issues management and public affairs campaigns for a host of Fortune 500 corporations, non-profits and associations. She also has helped to lead the firm’s Multicultural practice, working with a wide range of clients to help raise their profile and build brand awareness with a diverse stakeholder base. Smith will continue to provide senior counsel to clients around multicultural issues and/or engagement.

Smith is actively involved in her community and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Black Child Development Institute and ColorComm: Women of Color in Communications, and is a member of Mentoring USA’s Corporate Advisory Board. In addition, she was recently appointed to the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission by the Governor of Maryland. Smith earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

About Edelman

Edelman is the world’s largest public relations firm, with more than 5,000 employees in 65 cities, as well as affiliates in more than 35 cities. Edelman was named one of Advertising Age’s “A-List Agencies” in both 2010 and 2011, and an “Agency to Watch” in 2014; Adweek’s “2011 PR Agency of the Year;” PRWeek’s “2011 Large PR Agency of the Year;” and The Holmes Report’s “2013 Global Agency of the Year” and its 2012 “Digital Agency of the Year.” Edelman has been awarded seven Cannes Lions including the Grand Prix for PR in 2014. Edelman was named one of the “Best Places to Work” by Advertising Age in 2010 and 2012 and among Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work” in 2011, 2013 and 2014. Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Berland (research), Edelman Deportivo (creative) Blue (advertising), BioScience Communications (medical communications) and agency Edelman Significa (Brazil).