CEO Departures

Richardson to exit corporate lawyers group 

Veta T. Richardson has informed the $24M-revenue Association of Corporate Counsel Board of Directors that she plans to step down next year. 

“We express our heartfelt gratitude to Veta Richardson for her commitment to excellence, leadership and passion as she leaves an indelible mark on the legal and business communities,” said Cristina Gonzalez, chair of the ACC Global Board of Directors. “Under Veta’s leadership, the association has not only weathered change in the face of disruption and exponentially scaled revenue, she strategically repositioned ACC to meet the evolving needs of corporate lawyers worldwide.”

Richardson originally joined ACC in 1997 as deputy general counsel and has led for the past 13 years. She previously was an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center. Earlier in her career, she was executive director and president of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association and spent nearly 11 years as counsel for oil company Sunoco.

Korn Ferry will assist in the search for Richardson’s successor.

CEO Arrivals

Kunz claims top role at manufacturing group

SME, formerly the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, announced the appointment of Jeannine Kunz as the next executive director and CEO of the $52M-revenue organization, effective Jan.1, 2025. She will succeed Robert Willig, who announced earlier this year that he would be retiring after four years at the helm. 

“We are thrilled to elevate Jeannine Kunz to the role of CEO,” said Winston F. Erevelles, president of SME . “Her extraordinary vision has helped SME move to the forefront of the manufacturing industry as thought leaders and doers. We are confident that Jeannine will ensure the long-term success of SME.”

Kunz joined SME in 2000 as director of marketing and was named chief workforce development officer in 2022. 

She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics from Eastern Michigan University.

Korn Ferry assisted in the search.

Toyama tapped to lead epilepsy organization 

The $11M-revenue American Epilepsy Society announced Wendy-Jo Toyama will succeed Eileen Murray as CEO, effective Nov. 25. Murray, the former deputy executive director of the American Academy of Dermatology, is stepping down after 11 years leading AES. 

“Ms. Toyama is a proven leader with many accomplishments, and we are confident she is the right leader for AES at this pivotal time in our growth,” said AES President William H. Theodore. “Her extensive executive-level experience with medical societies positions her well to provide critical leadership as we continue to broaden AES’ impact and diversify the specialty in our mission to eradicate epilepsy and its consequences.

Toyama has led the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine since April 2020. Previously, she spent six years at the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, where she was executive director. She also spent a decade at the American Dental Association, most recently as senior vice president of membership, tripartite relations and marketing.

She has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography from Indiana University Bloomington and a master’s degree in marketing and managerial economics from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Korn Ferry assisted in the search.

Staff Arrivals

International Fresh Produce Association—Sarah Gonzalez has joined $5M-revenue IFPA as director of communications and public affairs. She previously was director of communications and digital media at the National Grain and Feed Association, where she spent the past nine years.

Managed Funds Association—Jill Whitelaw has been named vice president and senior counsel for regulatory affairs at $28M-revenue MFA. She spent the past six years at investment banking company Morgan Stanley, where she was executive director. 

Motion Picture Association—Emilie Anthonis has been promoted to president and managing director for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. She joined $75M-revenue MPA in 2017 as vice president of government affairs before being named senior vice president of governments affairs two years later. She previously spent nearly six years at the Association of Commercial Television in Europe, most recently as director of legal and public affairs.

Satellite Industry Association—Madeleine Chang is the new director of policy at $1.4M-revenue SIA. She most recently was a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Previously, she was a satellite software engineer at Lockheed Martin.