KHJ Leadership Team

We are excited to announce a full transition of ownership from co-founder Judy Habib to our long-standing company leaders Sylvie Askins, Adam Cramer and Michael Panagako who will serve specific and complementary roles as Managing Partners. The move maintains our stature as one of Boston’s leading independently owned, full-service, mid-sized brand and advertising agencies. 

“Keeping KHJ strong through three recessions, two acquisitions and a very long pandemic has been its own success story. But the stories we’re most proud of are about the clients we’ve helped make industry leaders, and the employees whose careers we’ve helped launch and nurture.” said co-founder Judy Habib. “And now I am thrilled to pass the torch to the leadership team who has helped make us who we are today.”

“Retaining our total independence was an important factor as we planned this transition.” said Adam Cramer, Managing Partner/Creative. “KHJ is built on a passion for doing whatever it takes for our clients to succeed. And being unencumbered by a larger authority has served us well.”

As Managing Partner/President, Ms. Askins will take on the daily operations of the agency in addition to her strategic role with clients. “Our branding approach has always been distinguished by our focus on employees as audience #1. This is an approach that we intend to continue to build upon. In today’s hybrid work environments and competitive recruitment landscape, organizations are more than ever looking for ways to retain and engage employees. We believe fully activated, purpose-driven brands can be used to attract and recruit top talent, engage employees and ignite cultures.”, said Sylvie Askins.

“Part of the magic of KHJ is that our methodical, yet flexible, process was designed to align stakeholders inside and outside of an organization and it can be applied to a wide variety of business challenges. It’s an especially effective approach for organizations and industries facing disruption, which explains our historically strong focus on life sciences, health care, professional services, real estate and destinations.”  said Mike Panagako, Managing Partner/Growth and Strategy.

The firm has formed an Executive Leadership Team that will include Mr. Cramer, Mrs. Askins, Mr. Panagako and Todd Baird, who has been promoted to EVP, Strategy & Planning and will continue to play a critical leadership role for the agency.

As Ms. Habib transitions to an advisory role with the firm, she will continue focus on her commitments as Vice Chair of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, President of the International Women’s Forum of Massachusetts and continue contributions with her writing, speaking and mentoring. And what she claims is some “long overdue time for play.”

KHJ Brand Activation is an independent, full-service brand strategy and activation firm with deep expertise in healthcare, real estate, hospitality and professional services.  Located in Boston’s thriving Seaport District, the firm offers a full suite of brand activation services including brand strategy, creative services, media planning and digital marketing services.