Linda Boff, Chief Marketing Officer of GE, has been named Chair of the Ad Council’s Board of Directors. She succeeds David Sable, Global Chief Executive Officer of advertising agency Y&R, and will serve in the role for one year.
The Ad Council Board is comprised of a prestigious group of senior executives from media companies, agencies (advertising, public relations, digital and social), technology companies and advertisers. In her role as Chair, Boff will work closely with the Executive Committee, the governing body of the Ad Council’s Board, and Ad Council leadership to drive the organization’s mission of raising awareness and inspiring action on behalf of many of the nation’s most pressing social issues. She will also manage and advise on business affairs and policy initiatives, as well as chair the Ad Council’s 2018 Annual Public Service Award Dinner, the largest fundraising event for the organization that will be held on December 5, 2018 at the New York Hilton.
“We’re thrilled to announce Linda’s leadership role as Chair of the Board,” said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “Linda is one of the most forward-thinking leaders in our industry, with an unparalleled passion for innovation and social good. Her leadership will be an invaluable asset to our Board and many of the most critical social issues facing our country.” Boff joined the Ad Council Board of Directors in 2012 and became a member of the Executive Committee in 2014. Under Boff’s leadership, GE is a founding partner of the Ad Council’s upcoming campaign designed to encourage young girls to pursue their interests in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), which is slated to launch this fall.
Throughout her longstanding tenure at GE, Boff has been responsible for driving the GE brand through innovative content, digital marketing and first-of-their-kind media partnerships. She has received many accolades, including Fast Company’s Most Creative People and She Runs It’s Changing the Game awards. In addition to her role as CMO of GE, Boff was named GE’s Chief Learning Officer in 2017. In this role, Boff leads learning and development for the company’s 300,000 employees worldwide.
“The Ad Council is a beacon for driving action around the most important causes today. From bullying to gun safety to diversity and inclusion to adoption from foster care, the Ad Council creatively and memorably spotlights and drives action around critical topics. I could not be prouder or more excited to align with Lisa Sherman and her world-class team for the next year,” said Boff.
Prior to her role at GE, Boff has served as CMO at NBC’s iVillage and held key marketing roles at Citigroup, the American Museum of Natural History and several large media and marketing agencies.
With the election of Boff, the Ad Council will continue its ongoing tradition of rotating Board Chairs every year between the organizations’ four sectors: media companies, technology platforms, agencies and advertisers.