This week in leadership updates, Progressive’s CMO Jeff Charney is retiring and Jo Feeney steps down from McDonald’s Australia marketing director. 

Progressive Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Charney To Retire

Progressive Insurance’s CMO for more than a decade, Jeff Charney, is set to retire, the company announced. Charney will stay on until January 2022, but the company says that the exact timing will depend on securing his replacement.

McDonald’s Australia Marketing Director Jo Feeney Departs

Jo Feeney, director of marketing for McDonald’s Australia, has stepped down to become CMO at jewelry brand Michael Hill.

Feeney was with McDonald’s for over seven years, first as national marketing manager and most recently as director of marketing.

Wendy’s Taps Dr. Beverly Stallings-Johnson For Vice President, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer

Wendy’s has appointed Dr. Beverly Stallings-Johnson to the newly created role of VP, chief diversity, equity and inclusion.

Stallings-Johnson joins Wendy’s from the city of Columbus, where she served as chief diversity officer. Prior to that, she spent over 25 years at Xerox, most recently as equal employment opportunity officer as well as chief diversity and inclusion global compliance and policy officer.

Songtradr Taps Lindsay Nahmiache For Chief Marketing Officer

Songtradr has named Lindsay Nahmiache as CMO.

Nahmiache is also the co-founder and chief executive officer of Jive PR + Digital.

United Community Bank Hires Francie Staub For Chief Marketing Officer

Francie Staub has joined United Community Bank as CMO.

Staub joins Union from Capital One, where she led brand marketing for US credit cards.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau Names Gina Garrubbo Board Chair

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has appointed Gina Garrubbo, president and chief executive of National Public Media, chair of its board of directors.

Garrubbo has served as the IAB board’s vice chair since August 2020 and as the co-chair of the IAB Audio Committee since 2017.

Additionally, IAB elected three new board members, including Renie Anderson, chief revenue officer and EVP of NFL partnerships; Jerry Dischler, VP and general manager of ads at Google; and Rob Master, VP of media and digital engagement at Unilever.