Havas Chicago has appointed two new executives to its leadership team: Lilia Arroyo Flores as chief strategy officer and Maisha Pearson as chief client officer.
“At Havas Chicago, we’re focused on operating as strategic business partners, assembling bespoke, cross-functional teams that break down the traditional silos to ultimately deliver against business KPIs—and Lilia and Maisha are essential to solidifying that model,” said Nikki Laughlin, president, Havas Chicago, who also oversees Annex Chicago and Annex Experience. “In strategy, that means data, analytics and insights come together to uncover human truths and power creativity. In client partnerships, that means holding ourselves accountable to those business KPIs and finding the spots where we can break and build.
As chief strategy officer, Flores will be responsible for building and leading strategy across Havas Chicago, Annex Chicago and Annex Experience, bringing together human truths, data and insights to power creativity. Having spent more than two decades working in advertising, communications and marketing, she leverages cultural competency to increase creativity and business growth acumen through strategy. Most recently EVP, head of strategic planning for Edelman, Flores was a member of the company’s Chicago leadership team and was tapped to establish and lead the strategic planning practice. Prior to that role, she held multiple positions at Leo Burnett Group/ARC, leading global strategy and insight development for 25 brands in the P&G portfolio. She also brings experience from shopper marketing agency TPN Retail and FCB. Flores is an outspoken advocate for diversity and inclusion, and she currently serves on the National Board of Directors of The Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE).
As chief client officer, Pearson will serve as executive client lead and will be responsible for overseeing all clients across Havas Chicago, Annex Chicago and Annex Experience. She is focused on developing multi-platform programming that connects with consumers and achieves business goals. Pearson comes to Havas Chicago from Burrell Communications Group, where she was viewed as a true strategic leader and thought partner for clients. As VP, she excelled in agency growth and client leadership, primarily serving as national account leader for the McDonald’s African American Consumer Market public relations business. A long-standing Chicago professional, Pearson spent several years as VP with Porter Novelli, where she was responsible for brands including McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, Vera Bradley and Dylan’s Candy Bar.
Flores and Pearson will collaborate with Laughlin as well as current Havas Chicago executive leadership team members including Jamie McGarry, chief growth officer; Allison Ciummei, chief talent officer; and Angelo Kritikos, chief financial officer. Havas Chicago and Annex clients include Bel Brands, Citi, Michelin, Moen, National Association of REALTORS®, Reynolds Consumer Products, AutoZone, Pillsbury Baking and Republic.
Stephanie Nerlich, Havas Creative North America CEO, said, “Our clients’ business needs are constantly changing—now more than ever—with strategy and leadership paramount to guide them as they look to the future. Lilia and Maisha are especially noteworthy as we have taken the time to build out a leadership team representative of the heart and muscle of Chicago in Havas’ ambition to be both city strong and fiercely collaborative across the network.”
