Don Spetner is a senior corporate advisor for Weber Shandwick Worldwide, offering counsel and expertise on the role, structure and efficacy of the communications function.

He has the unique experience of having served as the chief communications officer (CCO) for three global companies, while also having recruited and placed CCO’s for major organizations. He advises senior management on a range of issues, including structuring of the communications function, identifying and developing talent, and employing best-in-class practices for leading a world-class department.   

From 2000 to 2013, Spetner held the role of EVP, Corporate Affairs for Korn/Ferry Int’l (NYSE:KFY) where he served as the chief marketing officer, chief integration officer, and as a senior partner in the Corporate Affairs executive search practice. He also served as Korn/Ferry’s head of R&D, where he oversaw a team of clinical and organizational psychologists focused on the science behind executive success and derailment, and the assessment of senior level talent. Spetner has recruited and placed chief communications officers for numerous global brands, including Chevron, Yahoo!, Genentech, eBay, Microsoft and The Los Angeles Dodgers, among others.

Prior to Korn/Ferry, Spetner was vice president, Corporate Communications and a corporate officer for SunAmerica Inc., (NYSE:SAI) a $56 billion (assets) financial services company that was acquired by AIG in 1999.  Prior to SunAmerica, Spetner was vice president, Corporate Communications for Nissan North America, (NSANY) overseeing corporate branding, public relations, community relations, crisis management and all other communications activities for the automotive giant. At Nissan, he served as a member of the North American Management and Operating Committees. 

Spetner began his career in New York, working for three global advertising and public relations agencies including RuderFinn, Bozell Inc. and Grey Advertising and serving a variety of blue-chip clients including Panasonic, Hitachi, Minolta, Seagram’s and Nissan.

He is chairman of the Board of Overseers for Emerson College and a member of the Board of Directors of the Saban Community Clinic in Los Angeles. Spetner graduated summa cum laude from New York University with a degree in journalism.