Firm welcomes the public affairs, government and campaign veteran to Chicago office

“H+K has a legacy of leading strong public affairs campaigns and handling sophisticated crisis communications assignments in all of our markets,” said Claire Koeneman, executive vice president, head of the H+K U.S. Central Region and general manager of the Chicago office. “Adding a senior professional of Lisa’s stature here in Chicago will enable us to grow our platform as well as add real value to our current clients.”

Schrader brings with her nearly two decades of public affairs and communications expertise in government, issue advocacy and candidate campaigns, and has served as a trusted strategic advisor to chief executives. As chief of staff to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, she was responsible for the day-to-day management of the city and its sister agencies with more than 80,000 employees and combined operating and capital budgets of more than $18 billion. She developed strategic plans for key government initiatives and led the execution of those plans on behalf of the mayor. Previously, she served as chief operating officer for the City of Chicago under Mayor Emanuel, and as a deputy chief of staff and deputy chief financial officer for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Prior to her work in Chicago, Schrader served on the Democratic National Committee’s Texas research and communications team in the 2000 presidential election, and for the Better World Campaign in Washington, D.C., an effort funded by Ted Turner’s $1 billion gift to support the United Nations and strengthen the US-UN relationship.

“It’s an honor to be joining an incredibly talented team at Hill+Knowlton Strategies,” Schrader said. “I’m eager to continue strengthening the firm’s Chicago roots and adding value to the unique tools and resources that H+K – a firm with global and local reach, reputation, and capabilities – brings to bear for clients.”

Earlier this month the firm announced the arrival of Nancy Fitzsimmons, another senior crisis counselor who joined the firm from tWist Marketing, where she had been a managing director and head of corporate health, following leadership roles in house at Warner Lambert, AstraZeneca, Novartis Consumer Health and Bayer Diagnostics.

About Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 87 offices in 49 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group. Learn more at www.hkstrategies.com.