Margaret Dunning will retire effective Dec. 31, following four decades in communications and 10 years as managing partner of FINN’s Higher Education practice.

Dunning joined FINN Partners, states a release, when the firm acquired PR agency Widmeyer Communications in 2013. Over the past decade, Dunning led and grew FINN’s Higher Education practice, working with colleges and universities, nonprofits and companies, providing deep expertise in crisis communications, issues management, media strategy and long-term client positioning. At Widmeyer, Dunning led the Washington, D.C. office and was its Chief Strategy Officer. Her illustrious career spans PR, television production, public service advertising and government service.  Dunning has served on numerous boards of trustees throughout her career, including Trinity Washington University, Federal City Council and The Economic Club of Washington D.C. She was an advisor to the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications and to the American Red Cross’ Office of Public Affairs. Dunning was the inaugural recipient of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.’s Individual L.E.A.D (Learn, Explore, Achieve, Deliver) Impact Award for her efforts in support of the David M. Rubenstein scholars. Dunning also participated in Leadership Greater Washington and is a recipient of Washington Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” Award.

FINN Partners also announced that its Higher Education team will merge with FINN’s PK12 Education practice, with staff primarily in New York and D.C.

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