APCO Worldwide’s Kelly Stepno Named Managing Director To Lead North America Midwest Regional Hub

New Midwest Deputy Managing Director and North America Crisis Practice Lead Also Named

Washington – June 23, 2021: Kelly Stepno, North America crisis practice lead, was named managing director and appointed to lead APCO Worldwide’s North America Midwest team, Kelly Williamson, president, North America, announced today.

“Kelly is a seasoned communications and crisis strategist, and her leadership will further strengthen and build on APCO’s recent growth in the Midwest,” Williamson said. “Since joining APCO almost five years ago, Kelly has consistently provided clients with clear-headed, responsive and strategic guidance to help them address high-stakes, reputation-threatening events.”

Before joining APCO, Stepno was a senior associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she advised clients and developed strategies to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate risks, with a focus on data-driven decision making. She previously served as vice president and corporate counsel for TMG Strategies, working with clients’ senior management on complex reputation, crisis and litigation issues.

“At a time when organizations are experiencing new levels of disruption and change, APCO’s recently launched Regional Growth and Innovation Hubs allow us to rapidly respond to client challenges,” Stepno said. “I am excited to lead a talented Midwest team and provide the industry-leading solutions our clients want and need, while continuing to grow and expand business services in the region.” In her new role, Stepno will be based in APCO’s Chicago office.

APCO also announced today that Katie Milgrom, MPH, senior director of healthcare, was named Midwest deputy managing director, a newly created role. For more than nine years at APCO, Milgrom has managed global and complex account teams while using her strong command of disease prevention and health promotion to guide clients on critical health issues. As Midwest deputy managing director, she will be responsible for ensuring that APCO clients get the very best advice and that APCO employees are thriving in their careers.

In addition, Jim Moorhead, a five-year veteran in APCO’s crisis practice, will take over as APCO’s North America Crisis Practice lead. Moorhead is a member of APCO’s International Advisory Council and a crisis expert with three decades of experience handling high-stakes situations as a strategic communications advisor, major law firm partner, investment banker and political consultant.

“I am pleased to recognize Kelly, Katie and Jim for their dedication and hard work on behalf of our clients by promoting them into these critical leadership roles,” Williamson said. “These changes further advance our advisory and advocacy communications capabilities and build and expand on the current success of our Midwest region. I look forward to seeing them continue to innovate and take the Midwest region and the North America Crisis Practice into the future.”

For more than 37 years, APCO has been a trusted advisor and partner to private, public and nonprofit clients as they try to identify and manage new and emerging issues, challenges and opportunities around the world. Established by Margery Kraus as a single-person operation in 1984, APCO has grown to a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy with offices in more than 30 markets and experience working in more than 80 markets globally, providing in-depth advice, perceptive guidance and creative approaches for its clients.