January 6, 2023

This week marks year seven for Mission Partners, and what a special seven it’s been.

I launched Mission Partners after more than a decade of leading a boutique communications firm called C.Fox Communications and felt deeply it was time to do things differently. Now, as a Certified B Corporation (TM), a Certified Woman-Owned business, a Real Leaders Top Impact Company, and a Mental Health America Bell Seal-holding organization, it’s clear that communications is indeed a powerful force for change.

That’s why I am so excited to share that Mission Partners has expanded its ownership team to include three senior leaders of the firm who have helped shape and grow Mission Partners into the firm it is today. While I will remain majority owner and CEO, our newly-minted ownership group will continue building Mission Partners as a cutting-edge social impact communications firm and best-in-class small business committed to people, planet, purpose, and profit.

Please join me in celebrating my colleagues for their new roles as employee owners and Partners:

• Bridget Pooley is Mission Partners’ Chief Operating Officer, who joined Mission Partners in our first year of business as a Strategist. Not only did she take on an early leadership role within the firm, but she has spearheaded our work in the B Corp community, and led our 2022 B Corp recertification, resulting in a 30+ point increase. She is a brilliant strategist who has guided dozens of clients through strategic plan development. Bridget holds a bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America, a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Georgetown University, and a certificate in Project Management from Georgetown University.  Bridget is a founding member of Minnesota B Local.

• As Chief Financial Officer, Deb Ferrin has guided the company’s growth since prior to its inception, having served in an accounting role at C.Fox Communications. She has guided our team as a careful and steady hand through challenging downturns in the economy, and through innovative business projects such as the launch of an impact investment 401K fund and the launch of our Social Entrepreneur in Residence program. Deb received a B.S. in Applied Physics from the University of Rochester and a J.D. from the George Mason School of Law.  An attorney and accountant by trade, Deb brings a rare combination of skills to her work, and we are thrilled to now have her in an official partner capacity.

• Anne Kerns has been collaborating with Mission Partners since 2019, when she was first hired to lead book design for our award-winning children’s book, Adventures in Kindness. Anne is a thoughtful creative and design practitioner who has a deep commitment to accessible and inclusive design practices. While she has been a trusted consultant with Mission Partners for the past several years, we are thrilled to now have her move into the formal role of partner in addition to a newly developed role of Creative Director, a position which allows her to continue providing comprehensive design strategy and support to our clients, while overseeing the growth of the Mission Forward brand. Anne is a longtime member of AIGA, the professional association for design, and completed an executive business certificate program in partnership with Yale School of Management. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, and currently teaches at the University of Maryland.

There is much to celebrate and look forward to as we start this new year. Please join me in celebrating my colleagues, and as always, thank YOU for your support and investment in Mission Partners. We’ve always believed that small can be big, and that together, we can and will do great things.

Sincerely,

Carrie Fox, she/her
Founder and CEO
Mission Partners