Toronto-based Public added new senior leadership to the team: Dan Dunsky, vice-president, insights & impact, Adam Kahan, senior advisor, and Roberta Polyak, director, people & culture.
Dunsky was the co-creator and executive producer of TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin. Most recently, he ran his strategic communications consultancy, Dunsky Insight.
Kahan has led non-profit and for-profit organizations in five countries and consulted for both sectors. His most recent role was vice-president, advancement at Ryerson University, a position he held for 13 years.
Polyak has 13 years of human resources and organizational development experience in various industries. Most recently, she was director of support services at Shoplogix, and prior to that she was human resources manager at GDI Integrated Facility Services.
Public bills itself as a social impact agency and accelerator, whose mandate is to help brands “profit with purpose.” The firm is currently working with Maple Leaf Foods on a new platform around food sustainability and was recently named agency of record for community investment for CIBC. While Public is a full-service agency, it also works with startup social businesses on accelerating their growth.
Public CEO Phillip Haid said the agency had been in steady growth mode and saw a shift in the market, with the idea of merging profit and purpose “gaining a lot of currency.”
“We felt it was important to add to our ranks both to help guide thinking about where the market is going, and how different demographic groups, particularly millennials, are open to this idea,” he said.
“Both in terms of growth and the opportunities we’re going after, we need some real leadership on the idea formation and strategic thinking side, opening up potential market opportunities, and thinking about the recruitment and development of our people.”
