BACKBAY COMMUNICATIONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Member of the Senior Management Team
Amisha focuses on public relations, digital communications and content creation campaigns across BackBay's client base of asset management, financial technology, impact investing and private markets firms in Europe. Her client experience includes BNY Mellon Eagle Investment Systems, Boston Partners, The Economist Events, Harvard Business School professor Vikram Gandhi, innogy Innovation Hub, LeapFrog Investments, Monument Group and TA Associates.
Prior to joining BackBay, Amisha worked as an Editor at S&P Global Market Intelligence, where she steered and managed the direction of news, exclusive content and features for the real estate and private markets industries. Previously, she served as Deputy Editor at wealth management newswire WealthBriefing.
Amisha received a Postgraduate Diploma from the London School of Journalism and a B.A. in Spanish with Management Studies from University College London. Outside of work, she loves traveling, cooking and country hikes, and is a bit of an astronomy geek!
Job Titles:
- Account Executive
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Account Executive in BackBay 's Private Markets
Anna Oeser is an Account Executive in BackBay's Private Markets group, where she conducts research, media relations, writing, and social media, in addition to developing quarterly client reports. Anna is a recent graduate of Boston College with a B.A in both English and Political Science. During her time at BC, Anna was a four-year member and three-time team Captain of the Women's Track & Field and Cross-Country teams, competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Aside from running, Anna enjoys reading, cooking, biking, and swimming.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- Member of the Senior Management Team
Bill founded BackBay Communications in 2005 and has since grown the firm to be one of the top specialist financial services communications agencies. With offices in Boston and London, BackBay is the only integrated public relations, content marketing and branding firm focused specifically on the asset management, fintech, impact investing and private markets industries.
As founder and CEO, Bill is in charge of BackBay's strategic direction, setting core values, and overseeing execution of the firm's mission to help clients identify and communicate their unique stories and generate meaningful results that build their brands and drive growth, while delivering an exceptional client experience.
Bill has more than 25 years of financial services branding, marketing and public relations experience and frequently speaks at industry events on financial communications strategies for leading investment companies. His prior experience includes Senior Vice President at Arnold Worldwide, Vice President at Scudder, Stevens & Clark, and Vice President at Ogilvy Public Relations in New York. Bill has received Series 6 and Series 63 licenses.
Bill received an A.B. in Anthropology from Princeton University and an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago. He enjoys traveling, reading, and skiing and biking in VT and Colorado with his family.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Vice President
Caryn is an experienced financial, technology and professional services PR practitioner with 20+ years of experience working for some of the largest organizations. She advises clients on the design and development of creative thought leadership programs, effective media relations, data campaigns and content strategies.
Prior to joining BackBay Communications, Caryn drove PR programs for emerging startups and category disruptors at Bateman Agency, a technology-focused communications firm. She also spent more than a decade at The Hubbell Group, where she helped clients enhance brand awareness through media mindshare and executive visibility. She has extensive experience designing data-driven PR programs that position companies as leaders in their field. A selection of past clients includes Bank of America Private Bank, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Natixis Investment Managers, New Relic, PwC, Royal Bank of Canada and Treasury Prime.
Earlier in her career, Caryn held a corporate public relations role at Akamai Technologies, where she was responsible for managing external positioning of service offerings during the company's pre- and post-IPO stages. She began her career in journalism as a reporter for Ziff Davis. Caryn studied Early Childhood Education at Fitchburg State University.
Caryn lives on the south shore with her husband, where she enjoys cycling, stand-up paddle-boarding, walking on Duxbury Beach and spending time around a fire pit.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Account Supervisor in the Private Markets Group
Daniel is an Account Supervisor in the Private Markets group at BackBay Communications, where he focuses on media relations and digital marketing. His client experience includes Clearview Capital, Gen II Fund Services, Meketa Investment Group, Monument Group, and TA Associates. Prior to joining BackBay, Daniel interned on several political campaigns as well as at an NGO headquartered in Madrid.
Daniel graduated magna cum laude with Honors in International Relations from Boston University. He enjoys sports, traveling, and talking politics.
Job Titles:
- Account Executive
- Member of the Senior Management Team
Ellie is an Account Executive on BackBay's Fintech team, where she conducts research, media relations, writing and social media, in addition to developing quarterly client reports. Before joining BackBay, Ellie held several marketing and communications internships, where she focused on social media strategy, content creation, media relations and marketing efforts.
Ellie recently graduated from the University of Florida with her B.S. in public relations. During her time at UF, she was an active member of her sorority Phi Mu, serving as chapter president in her last year, and in Florida Blue Key, the oldest and most prestigious leadership honorary in the State of Florida. While working at BackBay, Ellie is also completing her Master of Arts in Mass Communication at UF and graduating in May 2023.
Job Titles:
- Account Director
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Account Director in the Asset Management and Impact Investing Group at BackBay
As an Account Director in the Asset Management and Impact Investing group at BackBay, Emily focuses on the implementation of strategic public relations programs. With a wide range of tactical tools at her disposal, earned from more than a decade of experience in journalism and financial services communications, Emily boosts the profile of clients, sharpening their messages and telling their stories with clarity and depth.
Emily joined BackBay in 2015. Her client experience at BackBay includes Athena Capital Advisors, Boston Partners, Fiduciary Trust Company, Harbor Funds, Monroe Capital, and Northeast Investors Trust as well as coordinating media relations for The Economist Events Investing for Impact annual conference in New York.
Emily received a B.A. in History from Purchase College and an M.A. from the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism with a concentration in Business and Economic Reporting. Emily enjoys art, photography, classic movies, swimming, and traveling with her husband from their home base in Rhode Island, where she is an active member of both the Providence Art Club and the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Account Supervisor in BackBay 's Impact Investing
Erika is an Account Supervisor in BackBay's Impact Investing group, where she focuses on research, social media, media relations and account administration. Erika's client experience includes: Big Path Capital, Center Creek Capital, Circulate Capital, Folium Capital, Green Rock Energy Partners, IMPACT Community Capital, and Viridi RNG. Prior to joining BackBay, Erika spent three years in media sales and advertising strategy at Outfront Media, where she worked across sales, marketing, production and development teams to plan and execute client campaigns. Erika received her BS in Strategic Communication and Public Relations, cum laude, from the University of Miami in 2018. During her time there, she had internships in the fields of digital marketing, media management and public relations. A Massachusetts native, Erika enjoys football season (Go Pats!), spending time outdoors, digging into mystery novels and attempting new recipes in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- Graphic Designer
- Member of the Senior Management Team
Gabe is a well-versed Graphic Designer whose responsibilities include the design and implementation of BackBay's creative work, including websites, logos, videos, and digital marketing design.
He's lived in the greater Boston area for three years and has had the opportunity to work with some amazing designers, immersing himself in the ever-changing digital marketing world. With over seven years of design experience from freelance projects to in-house agency work, he's ready for any challenge.
Gabe studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly and enjoys relaxing at home or experiencing new foods around the greater Boston area.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Senior Vice President
George Spencer is a Senior Vice President who leads BackBay Communications' Impact Investing group, collaborating with clients to shape integrated communications programs that raise awareness about their work in this fast-growing space. His client experience includes Adenia Partners, Big Path Capital, Center Creek Capital, Circulate Capital, Developing World Markets, Folium Capital, The GIIN, Green Rock Energy Partners, IMPACT Community Capital, North Sky Capital, Viridi RNG, and Vital Capital.
Prior to joining BackBay, George was Senior Manager of Communications for the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), where he focused on spreading the organization's vision and building its brand. During his time at the GIIN, he led the production of thought leadership content, working closely with the CEO and other senior leaders to craft opinion pieces and speeches and to launch the GIIN's podcast.
Before he began his work in impact investing, George spent more than a decade as a broadcast journalist, including more than six years working at NBC News in Philadelphia and New York. Judges honored George's work with six Emmy awards over the course of his journalism career.
During his time in Philadelphia, George completed a Master of Business Administration degree at Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. As an undergraduate at Princeton University, he concentrated in politics and was an editor at the Daily Princetonian. He is also a graduate of Columbia University's School of Journalism.
As a New Yorker, George loves to run in Central Park. When he's not working, he spends as much time as he can with his family, especially his young niece and nephew.
Job Titles:
- Creative Director
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Vice President
Greg Wood is responsible for BackBay's integrated brand and design work, including logos, websites and marketing collateral. He joined BackBay in 2014.
His client experience includes Adams Funds, Athena Capital Partners, CenterOak Partners, Fiduciary Trust Company, Murray Devine, Northeast Investors Trust and The Stephens Group.
Greg has over 25 years of experience in creating branding solutions across multiple platforms. Prior to joining BackBay, Greg worked at several advertising agencies on national food & beverage, travel, and medical/pharma accounts.
Greg studied Graphic Design at MassArt in Boston. In his free time enjoys hitting the gym and checking out live music.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Senior Vice President
A member of BackBay's senior leadership team, Jen is responsible for overseeing strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the BackBay client experience, elevating the brand and accelerating growth. Jen joined BackBay in 2007.
Jen's client experience includes: Adams Funds, Baird Capital, BNY Mellon's Eagle Investment Systems, Fiduciary Trust Company, Graycliff Partners (formerly HSBC Capital), HarbourVest Partners, Murray Devine, Pamlico Capital (formerly Wachovia Capital Partners), Quad-C Management, Ridgemont Equity Partners (formerly Banc of America Capital Investors), and Thompson Street Capital Partners. Jen joined BackBay from Compton Consulting, a financial communications firm specializing in the asset management industry. Prior to that, Jen served as an Editorial Assistant for Euromoney magazine in London.
Jen received an M.A. in Ancient History from University College London, and a B.A. in Classics and English from the College of Charleston. She lives on the North Shore with her husband and three children. She enjoys playing tennis, family beach days and weekend getaways in the White Mountains.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Vice President
Jeremy's client experience includes: Anacapa Partners, Brown Brothers Harriman, Evergreen Investments, Fremont Funds, Federated Investors, HKW, Lord Abbett, PNC Financial, Revolution Partners, TA Associates, and TriVista, among others. Prior to joining BackBay, Jeremy worked on a variety of political campaigns, for a large integrated healthcare system, and for public relations firms both big and small. Jeremy received his B.S. in Communications, Politics and Law, and a Master's in Political Communication, both from Emerson College in Boston.
Jeremy lives in the biggest little state in the union (Rhode Island) with his wife and three kids, plays a little tennis and a little golf (but neither all that well), and is noticeably happier during football season.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Director of HR and Administration
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Vice President
- Co - Head of BackBay Communications' Asset
As Vice-President, Maggie is co-head of BackBay Communications' Asset and Wealth Management vertical, collaborating with clients to establish and execute beneficial long-term strategic communication plans that enhance brand value and profitability. Maggie's clients include Adams Funds, Boston Partners, Eaton Vance WaterOak Advisors, Fiduciary Trust Company, Heartland Funds, Jacob Asset Management, Millennium Trust and Northeast Investors Trust, among others.
Prior to joining BackBay, Maggie was Director of Corporate Communications at Natixis Investment Managers, representing various institutional and retail business units, ESG-related campaigns, as well as the firm's U.S.-based affiliated investment managers. Before Natixis, she worked at Prosek Partners, a public relations and integrated marketing agency, based in New York City.
Maggie graduated from Fairfield University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and Psychology. Living between Newport, RI and Boston, Maggie can be found exploring with her Mastiff mix (named Austin), reading psychological thrillers, cooking, or cheering on the Boston Bruins.
Job Titles:
- Account Director
- Member of the Senior Management Team
Malea is an Account Director, who focuses on executing strategic marketing and public relations campaigns for BackBay's fintech clients. As a member of BackBay's fintech team, her client experience includes Bluefin Payment Systems, BNY Mellon Eagle Investment Systems, Capco, Delta Data, dLocal, innogy Innovation Hub, ISITC, MyVest, and Temenos.
Prior to joining BackBay, Malea was an editor for the B2B financial services and real estate publication Banker & Tradesman and a communications specialist at the civil engineering company VHB. Malea received a B.A. in Journalism and minor in Spanish from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Malea is an amateur charcuterie board stylist and loves traveling whenever she has the chance.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Account Supervisor
Marta, who is based in BackBay's London office, focuses on corporate and executive communications for BackBay's financial technology clients. As a member of BackBay's fintech team, her client experience includes Amount, Bluefin Payment Systems, BNY Mellon Eagle Investment Systems, Capco, dLocal, Future Energy Ventures, ISITC, MyVest, and Temenos.
Marta previously worked as an undergraduate research assistant studying cryptocurrency and trends on Initial Coin Offering (ICO) markets. She graduated magna cum laude from Boston College with a B.A. in English and concentrations in Business Management and Spanish.
Marta is a proud Minnesotan who has been to the MN State Fair every year since she was 6 months old. She's happiest writing, running, and road-tripping around New England. Next on the bucket list: visit all 61 U.S. National Parks.
Job Titles:
- Account Executive
- Member of the Senior Management Team
Nicky is an Account Executive working in BackBay's Asset Management and Impact Investing groups, where she conducts research, media relations, writing, and social media, in addition to developing quarterly client reports. Prior to joining BackBay, Nicky completed several communications and advertising internships, including at nonprofits and college access organizations. Nicky recently graduated from Williams College with her B.A. in Political Science and Sociology. As a proud Eph, Nicky was involved in mentorship and community engagement efforts, working as peer advisor and research and teaching assistant. In her free time, Nicky enjoys cooking, waving to local dogs, and taking too many pictures of sunsets.
Job Titles:
- Account Executive
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Account Executive in BackBay Communications' Fintech
Olivia Leslie is an Account Executive in BackBay Communications' Fintech group, where her role includes research, social media and media relations. She enjoys working with each client and learning more about their impact on the Fintech industry. Prior to working at BackBay, Olivia worked at a D.C. think tank focusing on communications and government relations.
Olivia graduated from Williams College with a degree in French and Russian and is always looking for fun ways to practice her language skills. An Ohio native, Olivia is a big fan of Cleveland sports, and in her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and sailing.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Senior Account Executive
- Senior Account Executive in BackBay 's Asset Management
Paige Sullivan is a Senior Account Executive in BackBay's Asset Management group, where she focuses on research, social media, media relations and account administration. Paige's client experience includes: Adams Funds, Boston Partners, Fiduciary Trust Company, Heartland Funds and MFS. Prior to joining BackBay, Paige completed several public relations, marketing and sustainability internships at Mission Magazine, Edgewell Personal Care and ICR Strategic Communications. Paige recently graduated with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Marketing from Boston College, where she was a member of the Women in Business Club.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Senior Vice President
Paul Lim is a Senior Vice President who co-heads BackBay's Asset Management group, leveraging his two decades of experience as a financial journalist and editor to implement integrated media and content marketing strategies.
His client work includes Adams Funds, Athena Capital Advisors, Big Path Capital, Boston Partners, Cresset Partners, Fiduciary Trust Company, Harbor Funds, Heartland Advisors, Jacob Asset Management, LeapFrog Investments, and Northeast Investors Trust. Prior to joining BackBay, Paul was Deputy Editor at Money Magazine, where he oversaw the publication's markets and investing coverage. For several years, he was a contributing columnist for The New York Times, where his "Fundamentally" column on investing appeared in the Sunday business section. Before that, he served as chief financial correspondent and senior editor for U.S. News & World Report and covered the financial markets for The Los Angeles Times. Paul earned his A.B. in political science from Princeton University and an M.A. in public administration from The University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government.
It only took 20 years, but Paul, a California native, has finally grown accustomed to life in Boston-though he still doesn't know the words to Sweet Caroline. He lives in Milton, MA, with his wife and two sons.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Senior Vice President
Philip leads BackBay's Private Markets and Venture Capital group. He is responsible for creation and execution of comprehensive integrated strategic public relations and content marketing programs on behalf of a variety of domestic and international clients including general partners, family offices, placement agents, consultants, service providers and private markets-focused organizations. Phil joined BackBay in 2007.
Phil previously served as a Vice President at Arnold Worldwide, as Communications Director for the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and as a Logistics Analyst at GTE Government Systems.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Vice President, Content
Rick provides strategic content and communications support to BackBay's private markets clients, helping them shape and share their stories with key audiences. He brings more than 25 years of experience working in senior roles within both private markets and institutional asset management.
Prior to joining Back Bay, Rick was Head of Content at private markets manager HarbourVest, where he worked with the venture, buyout, credit, and infrastructure investment teams to create and deliver timely messaging and content. He also served on the firm's ESG team and led the production of its first-ever annual ESG report. Rick has also held positions with Fidelity Investments, MFS Investment Management, State Street Global Advisors, and The Hubbell Group.
Rick graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in English/Journalism. He lives on the North Shore with his two daughters and beloved pup Jake, and enjoys live music, Boston sports, finding the next best IPA, time on the Cape, reading, and golf.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Senior Account Executive
- Senior Account Executive in BackBay 's Fintech
Ryan is a Senior Account Executive in BackBay's Fintech group, where he focuses on media relations. Prior to joining BackBay, Ryan completed several internships in PR and Marketing, including working for Dow Jones. Ryan recently graduated from Boston College with a degree in Economics and Political Science. During his time at BC, Ryan ran Track and Field, where he focused on the mile event and was chosen as a captain of the team senior year. Outside of the office, Ryan enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Senior Account Executive
Sarah is a Senior Account Executive in BackBay's Private Markets group, specializing in media relations, social media, and account management. Prior to joining BackBay, she worked in business development and marketing at a biotech startup. Sarah earned her B.S. degree in Marketing and a minor in Data Analytics from Fairfield University. Outside of work, she enjoys playing with her dog Simba, taking workout classes, exploring new parts of Boston, and honing her culinary skills in the kitchen.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Director, Media Strategy
As a Media Strategist, Sarah works across the Impact Investing, Asset and Wealth Management groups at BackBay Communications. She brings several years of financial services media relations experience with her, representing Fortune 500 clients and producing a long track record of top-tier media results. Sarah is always on top of the ever-changing media environment and considers herself a "news junkie," with a passion for creative storytelling and media research.
Sarah graduated from St. Lawrence University, earning a B.A. in Art and Art History, and later completed graduate studies in advertising and communications at Boston University.
Sarah grew up in South Florida, but now spends most of her time between Boston and Cape Cod. In her free time, she enjoys traveling abroad, cooking cuisines of all types, skiing and attending live music performances. She can often be spotted walking in the Charlestown Navy Yard with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Wilson - named after a song by her favorite band.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Account Coordinator
Sophia is an Account Coordinator working in BackBay's Asset Management team. Her responsibilities include research, media relations, writing and social media, in addition to developing quarterly client reports. Sophia is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.A in Journalism and Communications. Sophia was one of the first graduates of the Public Relations Concentration at UMass and was involved with the PR club on campus. In her spare time, Sophia enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and exploring Boston.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of the Senior Management Team
Stephen heads up BackBay's London office, developing and implementing strategic communications programmes across all of BackBay's focus areas, with a particular emphasis on the UK and Europe. He brings more than 15 years of public and media relations, corporate communications, and marketing and market research experience within the financial services and B2B sectors. He joined BackBay in 2013.
Stephen's client experience includes: AFEX, BNY Mellon Eagle Investment Systems, Boston Partners, Edwards Wildman, HarbourVest Partners, innogy Innovation Hub, Monument Group and TA Associates among others. Prior to joining BackBay, Stephen worked in the corporate practice of global PR firm Citigate Dewe Rogerson in London, representing a variety of corporate clients and leading the firm's research department. Stephen received a B.A. in History from the University of Exeter and has been awarded the Advanced Certificate from the Market Research Society.
Stephen lives in London with his wife, plays cricket for a small village in Kent in the summer months, enjoys watching football (U.S.: soccer) and rugby in the winter months, and cooking and foreign travel year-round.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Senior Vice President
- Vice President of the Fintech Group
Tylor leads the Fintech group at BackBay, working to build and execute strategic communications programs to tell the stories of the companies that are at the forefront of pushing the financial services industry to embrace the digital revolution.
His client experience includes AFEX, Amount, Bluefin Payment Systems, BNY Mellon's Eagle Investment Systems, Capco, Delta Data, dLocal, innogy Innovation Hub, ISITC, Linedata, MyVest, and Temenos.
Prior to joining BackBay, Tylor worked for Celent (a division of Oliver Wyman) leading their global public relations function. Before that, Tylor worked at InkHouse LLC and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board.
Tylor graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Communication and a double major in French, from the University of Maine. As a Maine native, Tylor enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, whether it's hiking (he's summited Katahdin four times), running (he's on his fourth half marathon) or skiing (hasn't broken anything yet). He's an ardent Boston sports fan that feels just as at home at Fenway Park or the TD Garden as in his own house.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Media Strategist in the Financial Technology Group
Will Hernandez is a Media Strategist in the Financial Technology group at BackBay Communications. Prior to joining BackBay, Will covered the banking, fintech, and payments industries for 12 years, most recently as a technology reporter at American Banker. He also served as the editor for Mobile Payments Today for almost five years.
His client experience includes Capco, DriveWealth, dLocal, Facteus, innogy Innovation Hub, ISITC, MyVest, and Temenos. Will graduated from St. John's University in New York City with a B.S. in Journalism.
Will started his career as a sportswriter for a small newspaper in Eastern Connecticut, and still has a passion for sports, particularly baseball. He also has a fondness for podcasts, and has hosted and produced shows on both a professional and personal level.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Associate Director in Backbay 's London
Zaid is an Associate Director in Backbay's London office, where he focuses on public relations and establishing long-term strategic communication plans with a particular emphasis on UK and European clients. Prior to joining BackBay, Zaid has been associated with Credit Suisse Bank, JS Bank, IBM, AkzoNobel and Intel in the UK, Germany, Belgium and Pakistan. He has over 15 years' experience in Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility / ESG and Public Relations. Zaid was also selected by the US State Department for their prestigious "International Visitor Leadership Program" in 2020 for Emerging Leaders.
Zaid holds two post graduate degrees: an MBA and a Double Masters in Global Economic Governance & Public Affairs. He has also attended Executive educational programs from Harvard Business School, University of Cambridge, and National Defence University. A strong believer of putting social purpose at the heart of business is both a moral imperative and a commercial opportunity. Zaid lives in London with his wife, enjoys spending time with his pug, pursuing his passion for foreign travel, and keeping himself well informed about global affairs.