Leading independent reputation agency Sefiani Communications Group, is delighted to announce the appointment of Mandy Galmes as Managing Director and Partner, effective 1 November.

Chair and CEO of Sefiani, Robyn Sefiani said: “As we enter our 22nd year of successful operations, we are thrilled that a leader of Mandy’s calibre will be driving the next exciting phase of Sefiani’s growth and evolution.

“2021 has been a stellar year for Sefiani and there is incredible momentum in our business. It’s the perfect time for Mandy to join and build on our strong reputation for delivering brand and corporate communication that matters in issues-rich environments.

“Mandy and I have been friendly and respectful competitors for years and complement each other very well. We also share an entrepreneurial spirit and a clear ambition to shape Australia’s leading communications agency with the best people doing the best work for the most interesting clients.

“Mandy’s appointment allows me to focus on my areas of passion: Sefiani’s strategic direction, providing reputation counsel to the C-suite, helping effect positive change for causes I care deeply about, mentoring colleagues and helping advance the communications profession,” said Ms Sefiani.

Commenting on her appointment Mandy Galmes said: “I have always had a huge amount of admiration for Robyn and her business and am over the moon to work in partnership with her.

“Sefiani has attracted some of the best talent in the market and this in turn draws in high calibre clients. I am extremely energised by the opportunity to build on this, accelerate the growth of the business and continue to nurture the people-led culture. By bringing together all our skill sets, Robyn, the team and I are going to be a formidable force!”

Mandy joins Sefiani from Hill + Knowlton (H+K) Strategies where, as CEO, she led the WPP AUNZ agency through three years of strong business growth and transformation. Prior to H+K, Mandy was Managing Director of Sibling, a purpose-built integrated agency in WPP AUNZ dedicated to Westfield and before that founded and led Fuel Communications, now within Herd MSL.

Mandy has a strong track record as a strategic advisor to businesses that are leaders, transformers and disrupters. Her work has spanned complex regulatory and legislative change programs, behaviour change campaigns, consumer product recalls, brand activations, marketing communications and reputation rebuild. Her skills in stakeholder management and risk mitigation are complemented by her creative approach to consumer engagement and brand building.

Sefiani Partner, Nick Owens, said: “Mandy is an outstanding appointment and an exciting addition to our leadership team. Sefiani has grown, evolved and adapted over two decades, always with a focus on outstanding client service and counsel. Mandy’s leadership and industry experience will be pivotal in the coming years as we take the firm to the next level of growth and new service offerings.”

Other members of Sefiani’s next-generation leadership team include Tina Peng, Nicole Thurston, Nicole Schulz and recent new hire Neeley Williams.

Sefiani is engaged by organisations including the likes of: Airbus, EY (Ernst & Young), Expedia Group, CrowdStrike, DoorDash, 3M, McGrathNicol, Arcadis, Allen & Overy, Ferrero and Australia for UNHCR.

Robyn Sefiani, left; Mandy Galmes, right.