Beato named 4A’s Sr VP of Diversity and Inclusion.

The 4A’s has announced two new executive hires—Portia E. Badham as Senior Vice President, Communications and Singleton Beato, Senior Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion and Talent Development.

Ms. Badham is a former journalist and public affairs professional with more than 30 years of experience in communications, and Ms. Beato is an award-winning human resources leader with more than 20 years of business experience in advertising, financial services, fitness and entertainment, and real estate development. They will report to Nancy Hill, President-CEO of the 4A’s.

“Both of these very talented individuals bring new energy to the 4A’s and I am pleased to have them on board,” said Ms. Hill. “Their knowledge and extensive experience in communications, diversity and educational issues will serve us well as we develop new and innovative approaches to provide guidance and thought leadership for our members and the entire marketing communications community.”

Ms. Badham will oversee all of the 4A’s communications for the benefit of its member agencies including its Web content, e-marketing and publishing, as well as supervise media relations on behalf of 4A’s, serve as staff liaison for the Agency Public Relations and Client Public Relations committees, and manage special projects for the association.

Most recently, she was president of BadWyn Communications, a public relations and event management agency she founded in 1999. Her previous corporate positions include Vice President, Public Affairs for the national cable television network, the Odyssey Channel; Associate Director, Public Affairs for Children’s National Medical Center and Director of Public Relations for Liberty Medical Center. She’s also worked was as a print reporter and on-air newscaster in Baltimore.

Leading the 4A’s Diversity & Inclusion and Talent Development division, Ms. Beato will drive strategic initiatives to advance the diversity and inclusion agenda in the industry and will provide advice and support to members on workforce inclusion best practices that generate greater cultural sensitivity and respect.

In addition, she will oversee 4A’s programs including MAIP (the Multicultural Advertising Internship Program) and the Howard University Center for Excellence in Advertising that provide education and development of multicultural professionals.

Prior to joining the 4A’s, Ms. Beato served as part of the management team for JWT’s New York Office and in her role as Director of Human Resources was responsible for the design, delivery and management of strategic people-centric programs that supported more than 700 employees. In 2009, she conceived and implemented a Diversity and Inclusion program for JWT. Her other roles includes Director and Vice President of Human Resources at Crunch Fitness International and Director of Human Resources at Bloomberg L.P.

She’s also held positions at CIT Credit Finance, United Media, Chase Manhattan Bank and Ambassador Construction. Ms. Beato, a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University with BA and MS degrees, is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Diversity Group for Gotham City, serves on the Roundtable of Adverting Diversity Executives, AWNY Professional Development Steering Committee and is board member of Streetwise Partners.