OAK BROOK, IL—McDonald's Corporation has named Jano Cabrera as corporate senior vice president of US communications, global media and public relations. Cabrera served as worldwide vice president at Burson-Marsteller and prior to that held several senior communication positions on presidential campaigns, the White House and in the US Congress. In a newly-expanded role, Cabrera will report to Robert Gibbs, global chief communications officer and executive vice president. 

NEW YORK—Ed Dixon, who previously led FleishmanHillard’s operations in Saudi Arabia and Porter Novelli’s Southeast Asia offices, has joined consulting giant Mercer, where he serves as communications and public relations leader for growth markets—a remit that includes Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

WASHINGTON, DC—The Master Limited Partnership Association has hired Capitol Hill veteran Steve Ruhlen as the organization’s first director of federal affairs, charged with educating policymakers on how master limited partnerships generate significant value to the US economy. Ruhlen has spent more than two decades on Capitol Hill, including roles as chief of staff to Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) and Rep. Kay Granger (TX-12), as well as former Reps. Henry Bonilla (TX-23) and Lee Terry (NE-2). He also served in the White House as deputy assistant for legislative affairs to Vice President Dick Cheney, and as a senior vice president at JP Morgan Chase & Co.

NEW YORK—Lauren Hurvitz has been named executive vice president and chief communications and corporate marketing officer for Turner Broadcasting System, responsible for brand reputation across all platforms, internal and external strategic communications, media relations and publicity. Hurvitz comes to Turner from Starcom Mediavest Group, part of Publicis Groupe, where she has served as global chief communications and brand marketing officer since 2012. Prior to that, she was head of global corporate communications and events at AOL and executive vice president of global corporate communications & public affairs for MTV Networks.

PHILADELPHIA—Pamela Browner White has joined Esperanza, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving “the least of us,” as senior vice president of corporate relations and strategic development. She will lead the organization's national and local communications, marketing and development activities. Browner White comes to Esperanza after serving in the corporate role of vice president of public affairs and government relations for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She earlier served as senior vice president of public affairs for the Philadelphia Eagles.

VANCOUVER—Philip Steenkamp, a former senior public servant, has been named vice president, external relations and communications, for the University of British Columbia. He will lead government, community and corporate relations, communications, marketing, media relations, campus planning, and ceremonies and events. His most recent position was vice-president, external relations, at Simon Fraser University, but he had also served as deputy minister of advanced education; regional economic and skills development; tourism, culture and the arts; aboriginal affairs, and social development.

SEATTLE—Jill Mackie, currently vice president of public affairs for The Seattle Times Company, will join shipbuilder Vigor as senior vice president of public affairs. Prior to joining The Seattle Times in 1999, Mackie served as vice president for government affairs and human resources for Pacific Lumber & Shipping Company in Seattle.