MINNEAPOLIS—Ned Winsborough has joined Padilla Speer Beardsley as senior director, research and insights. He will help Padilla continue to build its research department and deliver insights-based communication programs for clients. Most recently, he was with General Mills where he conducted research across several brands, including Yoplait, Progresso and Cheerios. He also led a team at General Mills that created online qualitative research tools.

WASHINGTON, DC—GYMR Public Relations has hired Judi Kennedy (pictured) as a senior vice president from Ketchum, where she was a member of a specialty practice that provided branded health communications expertise to a variety of clients. In addition, five-year GYMR veteran Virginia Bader has been promoted to senior VP; Erica Garland is now an account supervisor; Kristin Brown is an account executive; and Crystal Cooper has joined the GYMR team as an account coordinator.

NEW YORK—CooperKatz & Company has promoted Rachael Adler and Melissa Connerton to vice president and director, client Services. Adler joined CooperKatz in 2002 and in 10 years with the firm has developed special expertise in thought leadership programs and has been instrumental in building the firm’s health practice. Connerton joined CooperKatz in 2005 and has served a wide range of consumer and business-to-business clients and led the growth of the firm’s higher education practice.

HALIFAX, NS—Mark Renouf and Kevin McCann appointed principals at MT&L Public Relations. Formerly vice presidents, they join existing principals and co-owners Kim West, Janet MacMillan and Sarah Young who have run the marketing and communications firm since 2002. Before joining MT&L in 2006, Renouf spent much of his career as a journalist with the BBC in England. McCann joined in 2010 and leads a digital team focused on strategy, development, social media, and design.

BOSTON—Shift Communications has named Catherine Allen as its first ever senior vice president. Allen has been with Shift since its founding in 2003 and manages a diverse portfolio with clients in B2B technology and services, consumer lifestyle, and healthcare.