BURLINGTON, MA—inVentiv Health has appointed Sydney Rubin (pictured) as chief communications officer. She will report to inVentiv Health CEO Paul Meister and will oversee corporate reputation, internal communications, media relations and public affairs. She joins the corporate team from inVentiv’s Chandler Chicco Companies public relations operation, where she provided senior counsel in corporate reputation, content development, crisis communications, executive training and public affairs.

WASHINGTON, DC—Widmeyer Communications has promoted Marina Stenos to vice president and director of Widmeyer’s pre-K-12 team in its New York City office. In addition, the pre-K-12 team has added Tracey Bryan as vice president, based in Washington, D.C. and Autumn Dunn as account executive in New York. Stenos has worked with clients including Boston Scientific, adidas, and Verizon. Bryan was previously president/CEO of The Bridge of Southern New Mexico, a cross-sector partnership designed to bring leaders in business, economic development and education together to solve the problem of elevated high school dropout rates.

OTTAWA—Maryse Harvey has joined the Ottawa office of National Public Relations as vice president, enhancing the firm’s federal government relations and strategic communications counsel. Harvey was recently senior vice president with the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.  Prior to that, she served as a ministerial advisor to several cabinet ministers including Industry Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, Canadian International Development Agency and Public Works and Government Services Canada.

WASHINGTON, DC—Outreach Strategies, a communications and public affairs firm focused on advancing sustainability solutions, has hired Alison Omens, former AFL-CIO director of media outreach and deputy director of public affairs, as vice president. Omens will be part of the senior leadership team responsible for driving communications and advocacy efforts designed to promote positive environmental outcomes.

TORONTO—FleishmanHillard has appointed Tara McCarthy to senior vice president and partner, head of its consumer team. In previous roles, McCarthy served as a vice president and senior leader at Strategic Objectives and Cossette. She also has corporate communications experience at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and held in-house communications and marketing positions with Sears Canada and the T. Eaton Company.

MONTREAL—Hill+Knowlton Strategies has hired Mario Lavoie as vice president, corporate communications, in the Montreal office. From 2003 to 2012, he served as political advisor and diplomatic advisor to Premier of Québec Jean Charest, working on issues including climate change, the negotiation of trade agreements. Earlier, he served as director of the research service at the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition in Québec.

WASHINGTON, DC—Global Strategy Group has hired Khristyn Brimmeier  as a vice president on the DC communications team. She joins from the Glover Park Group, where she was a vice president in the public affairs division. In addition, Shira Levy joins as a director from GMMB; Allison Bryan has come on board as an associate, having previously worked at MWW Group and on President Obama's re-election campaign. And Mark Gersh, founder and Washington director of NCEC Services Company, will provide strategic counsel on politics and public affairs as a senior adviser.

NEW YORK—Hispanic marketing agency Azúcar Communications has hired Rasiel Cardentey as director of events. Cardentey will manage and oversee all Hispanic media and blogger events in the Miami and New York markets. He previously co-founded A&E Elegant Creations, where he will continue to serve as chief event planner.