Toronto PR agency Proof Strategies has named Vanessa Eaton as its new president, with founder Bruce MacLellan staying on as chair.

Eaton has been with Proof for most of her nearly 30-year agency career, joining in 1999 and earning a number of promotions with increasing seniority and responsibility. She spent the last four years as executive vice-president, and in 2021, was recognized in the Report on Business “Best Executive Award.”

“Vanessa is a proven communications strategist and a big picture thinker,” said MacLellan in a release. “We’ve been working closely together in management for almost a decade. Two years ago, she moved into a role which included overseeing our client services teams and other aspects of the business in the Toronto office in collaboration with me.

“This will be a seamless transition as I continue as chair, with Vanessa bringing a new perspective to lead, build and evolve the agency.”

Josh Coben, executive vice-president, will also take on additional management duties while also working with Proof clients, according to the release.

“Importantly, Josh and Vanessa have worked together at the agency for over 20 years and for the last five years have collaborated closely,” it said.

“Since my first day I was taken in by Bruce’s entrepreneurial style of business-building and unwavering dedication to creating a unique values-based culture,” said Eaton. “I continue to feel proud of how we apply these principles to learning and working with each other.”