Dentsu Aegis Network Hires Chief Equity Officer, Americas, From Time's Up

Dentsu Aegis Network hired Christena Pyle in the new role of chief equity officer, Americas. She will serve as a member of Dentsu Aegis Network’s executive team and report directly to CEO, Americas Jacki Kelley, who succeeded Nick Brien in that role last December. Pyle will partner with the executive team to provide guidance and expertise on Dentsu Aegis Network’s plan to elevate its diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and initiatives in the region, as well as how agencies and leaders are being held accountable for progress. She will also be responsible for leading advocacy partnerships for the network.

“Christena was a stand-out, in my opinion, among an amazing group of qualified and passionate candidates,” Kelley said in a statement. “Christena will help us create an inclusive, nurturing place for diversity to thrive, as we shape and lead transformational DEI efforts and align them to our strategy.”

“I’m a true believer in the power of DE&I and the impact it can have on a company’s culture, values, and business growth,” Pyle added. “Having a diverse mix of talent who can take on the challenges and opportunities a business faces, now and in the future, is a critical factor in any company’s success and resilience. In spending time with the Dentsu team, it’s clear that this is a group of people who place the value of caring—for their people, their communities, their customers, and each other—at the forefront of the decisions they make.”

Pyle arrives at Dentsu Aegis Network with a wealth of experience in the space. She joined Time’s Up as its first executive director, advertising, last June. At Time’s Up, Pyle drove impact across the industry and led development of the organization’s Guide to Equity and Inclusion During Crisis.

“Just as she has blazed trails in the creative industry, Christena has left an indelible mark on Time’s Up and our network of volunteers and supporters,” Time’s Up Foundation president and CEO Tina Tchen said in a statement. “We’re thrilled Christena will continue her commitment to transform the advertising industry from within in this new role and look forward to working alongside her for many years to come.”

A member of Adweek’s 2018 Young Influentials list, Pyle spent nearly six years with Omnicom as director of diversity and inclusion before joining Time’s Up, during which time she was responsible for accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes for underrepresented communities across the network. During her time at Omnicom, Pyle also served as director of Adcolor, helping to launch the Adcolor Conference, Adcolor Awards and Adcolor Futures programs. She has also spent time as a member of organizations including 4A’s MAIP and Ad Club of New York.

Pyle’s appointment follows Kelley sharing Dentsu Aegis Network’s EEOC diversity data for the U.S. and outlining steps the holding company is taking to address systemic racism, in an internal memo sent out to Dentsu Aegis Network employees in June.