Dr. Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn, was recently honored with two major accolades for her exceptional leadership and groundbreaking contributions to the public relations industry. On May 6th, 2025, she was awarded the Outstanding Individual Achievement at the PRovoke SABRE Awards, followed by her recognition as a 2025 Pinnacle Award Honoree at the Medical Marketing + Media (MM+M) Pinnacle Awards on May 7th, 2025.

Both awards underscore Bloomgarden’s lasting impact on the industry, particularly in driving global growth, innovation, and the adoption of new technologies in communications. As CEO of Ruder Finn, one of the world’s largest independently owned PR agencies, Bloomgarden has been a trailblazer, leading her agency into new markets and pioneering cutting-edge practices like AI integration and data infrastructure optimization.

Ruder Finn’s Global Growth Under Kathy Bloomgarden’s Leadership

Since taking the helm of Ruder Finn, Kathy Bloomgarden has spearheaded multiple groundbreaking initiatives, helping the agency expand its footprint and influence worldwide. Under her leadership, Ruder Finn launched its China office, built a strong healthcare practice, and introduced rf.TechLab, a technology innovation hub. These initiatives, among others, have played a crucial role in positioning Ruder Finn as a forward-thinking agency ready to adapt to the evolving demands of the global market.

Bloomgarden’s vision of the future of public relations has positioned Ruder Finn as an agency at the intersection of traditional communications and emerging technologies. This forward-looking mindset has made Ruder Finn a key partner for global clients navigating economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. Kathy’s ability to stay ahead of trends, like the rise of AI, has been a significant factor in the agency’s success.

Leading Innovation with AI and Data Infrastructure

Kathy Bloomgarden’s commitment to innovation is perhaps best exemplified by her leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. When OpenAI released ChatGPT, Ruder Finn was already ahead of the curve, preparing its clients for the new AI landscape. Bloomgarden has consistently brought together industry leaders to shape strategies for building AI-ready data infrastructures and addressing challenges such as LLM hallucinations.

In the past year, Bloomgarden established the RF AI Advisory Council, which is led by the former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, ensuring Ruder Finn stays at the forefront of AI advancements. The agency also introduced rf.aio, a tool designed to optimize large language models (LLMs) at scale, offering brands a more efficient way to utilize AI technology.

As a result, Ruder Finn has become a leader in AI-driven communications, helping brands navigate the complexities of this fast-evolving technology while simultaneously driving industry conversations on AI’s ethical use and impact.

Praise from Industry Leaders

Kathy Bloomgarden’s leadership has earned her the admiration of many in the communications and PR industries. John Chambers, former Executive Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, lauded Bloomgarden for her exceptional ability to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. “Every time, without exception, she and her team execute flawlessly,” Chambers said. “She’s wicked smart and is able to read her client’s strengths and limitations and adjust appropriately to handle the most exciting and challenging opportunities.”

Michael Schubert, long-time Chief Innovation Officer at Ruder Finn, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Kathy is the reason I am still at Ruder Finn today. While I may have ‘Innovation’ in my title, she has it in her soul.” Schubert praised Bloomgarden for her ability to put PR in the C-suite and redefine how communications can be a powerful driver of innovation.

Kathy Bloomgarden's Vision for the Future

Bloomgarden’s approach to PR is rooted in anticipating trends and acting decisively to shape the future. Whether through the launch of Ruder Finn’s AI Advisory Council or the development of cutting-edge tools like rf.aio, Bloomgarden is positioning her agency—and the broader PR industry—to harness the transformative power of technology.

In accepting her awards, Kathy Bloomgarden shared her optimism for the future of communications. “We are in the midst of a pivotal moment for our industry,” Bloomgarden said. “It’s the communications function that is instrumental to the adoption of new technologies for the future. I am profoundly optimistic about our collective abilities to accelerate innovation and I’m excited to be a part of it.