Meet
our people
We’re a close-knit network of specialists who love to collaborate. Do say hello!
Our hive is made up of creatives, planners, digital specialists, copywriters, influencer marketers, publicists, designers, branding experts, award-winning journalists, corporate strategists, and social strategists.
We work across a breadth of sectors from finance to tech to consumer, and we do it all through the lens of nurturing reputations of purpose-led businesses in order to have a positive impact on the world.
Our number one metric that we monitor and measure ourselves by is team happiness.
Kirsty Leighton
Founder & Group CEO
Kirsty is the founder of Milk & Honey. She has over 25 years of experience in corporate brand PR and communications.
Kirsty has a privileged view of the communications landscape having held leadership positions in successful City and financial, technology, corporate and consumer agencies. She started Milk & Honey determined to put people first, creating a happy and healthy place to work.
Where passion and creativity are prized. Where clients are celebrated. One where there is time to think, to go the extra mile. A land of opportunity.
Becca Baker
Group CFO
Becca is keeper of the cash! A chartered accountant with a mathematics degree from University of Southampton. Becca has over 15 years' experience in the media and entertainment industry before joining the board at Milk & Honey. She plays a central role in directing the business. Keeping us on an upward growth trajectory whilst ensuring client’s budgets are treated with care. Ensuring we deliver the best possible return on investment.
Paul Cohen
CEO, North America
Paul runs Milk & Honey’s North American business and brings more than two decades experience shaping vital conversations in ways that matter.
A trusted communications advisor to executives and teams across three continents, Paul has represented multinational corporations, start-ups, industry associations, sovereign governments and non-profit organizations. He leads a powerhouse team out of Milk & Honey’s new New York office and works alongside clients’ leadership teams to help organizations tell their stories to successfully drive business results.
Manuel Hüttl
CEO, Germany
Manuel is a partner and CEO of Milk & Honey’s first office in Munich, Germany. He is a communications veteran, with more than 20 years’ experience across international agencies, advising C-suite executives and global organisations.Thinking outside the box is pivotal to Manuel, and he is driven by innovation and to create cutting edge campaigns, that work. Manuel is also the Senior Vice President of the CMO council – a global peer group of over 16,000 marketers across EMEA.
Father of two, Manuel has previous been a lecturer and has published a book about reputation management.
Meilin Wong
CEO, Singapore
Meilin is partner and CEO of Milk & Honey Singapore, the agency’s first office in Asia. She has a diverse career in building and implementing communications, marketing, GTM and commercial growth strategies that spans over 25 years.
She’s held organizational and functional leadership roles in agencies as well as large enterprises and startups across various industries, including WellbeingTech, HealthTech, EdTech and Payment.
Meilin is an actively advocate for an inclusive and equitable society, especially in the workplace. She’s currently on the Advisory Board of Live On Purpose, a privacy-by-design charity platform, and a Mentor at She Brilliance, a women empowerment movement.
Kath Myers
Partner, UK Managing Director
Kath heads up Milk & Honey’s UK business, bring to bear more 20 years’ experience in integrated communications. She has led the development of commercially successful and award-winning campaigns that have been recognised by The PRCA Awards, EMEA Sabres and CIPR Awards.
Kath has worked in some of the UK’s top PR and marketing agencies, representing leading global brands, led pan-European communications and UK marketing while client-side, and has supported both big brands and start-ups as an independent consultant.
Her professional passions lie in helping brands and organisations to develop a credible role within the lives of their audiences and in delivering meaningful measurement with impact at the heart.
Outside of professional life, Kath enjoys a gentle run in a local park, gets joy from singing and dancing, and loves a good theatre show or musical.
Zharina Arnaldo
Partner, Global Media Director
Zharina comes into the Hive with more than 20 years’ experience in a variety of exciting international roles.
She started off her career in brand management, marketing washing-up liquid for P&G, moved to Finland to work with a telecom company in Nokia’s heyday, then pivoted careers and became an international broadcast journalist working for some of the biggest outlets including the BBC, CNN, Reuters and Al Jazeera English – which earned her an Emmy nomination.
Zharina’s media expertise (which spans interviewing stars on the red carpet and covering natural disasters) is key to building out Milk & Honey’s strategic media offering. Her consulting work – advising heads of state and C-Suite executives – and fintech experience from working at Klarna, also comes in handy in helping the agency with its rapidly expanding financial services/fintech portfolio.
When not on the clock, Zharina is busy keeping fit (she has run a full marathon while drinking), teaching yoga or volunteering to help refugee entrepreneurs build their business.
Caroline Gruen
Partner, Client Services Director
Caroline heads up our B2B and client services. She started her multi-award winning PR career in 2009 in-house within the automotive industry before moving to central government, then to global agency Weber Shandwick.
Over the years Caroline has built up quite the awards cabinet, having been recognised in PRWeek’s 30 under 30 in 2016 and celebrated for her client campaigns along the way too. As a board director at the hive, she leads our client quality and measurement activity, ensuring every creative campaign has demonstrable business results.
Kirsty Howe
Partner, Head of ESG
Kirsty brings 10 years of communications, marketing and business development experience in agency and in-house leadership roles.
Kirsty was most recently a director at international agency Cognito, where she led ESG and financial services client portfolios.
Kirsty is an ESG communications expert, driven by positive change. She has spent time advising clients onsite at COP26 in Glasgow and working closely with the COP28 presidency in Dubai.
Outside of work, Kirsty is passionate about education and volunteers as a local authority school governor. She has a love/hate relationship with running and is always looking for an excuse to go hiking in the mountains.
Adam Toms
Head of Content
Adam has more than 20 years of communications experience in the public, charity and private sectors.
As head of content, Adam takes complex subjects and translates them into a form that’s understandable, meaningful and interesting to relevant audiences. He has put words into the mouths of Lords, Ministers of State and blue-chip CEOs – and developed the full range of corporate communications collateral.
Before joining the hive, Adam led Editorial at Genomics England, ran his own writing business, was head of communications at a national medical regulator, managed corporate communications within the NHS and has been at the sharp end of major national events such as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Imogen Wallis
Head of Digital, Associate Partner
Imogen is a lover of all things social and SEO. Having been both agency and client side, Imogen began her career 2015 as an account manager for a social media agency. Here she was deep diving into content creation, copy writing and creating event coverage for a range of clients from fashion to confectionary.
Looking to switch things up and work in-house, she then took up the helm of all things marketing and PR at luxury nightwear start-up Yawn. Tackling all sides of the business from PR coverage, social media management, online discovery and PPC. Imogen’s experience, and first-class honours degree in marketing and advertising, has allowed her to gain a fantastic understanding of client struggles from all business angles and how to optimise the digital world.
When not building award worthy digital campaigns, you’ll find Imogen planning her next trip across the world, singing her heart out at a gig or taking her puppy ‘Biggie’ out for some quiet time.
Claire Lematta
Group Non Executive Director
An exceptional global leader, Claire sits external to the business and advised the board on growth and culture. Claire is an experienced communications consultant and leader for business and not for profit organizations. Skilled in fundraising, global communications, corporate and internal communications, organizational development. Expert in decision making and alignment strategies for networked organizations. Claire also holds a masters in in Organisational Development and Leadership.
Richard Green
Non-Executive Director
Richard sits external to the business and advises on risk, governance and tax. As non-executive director, his principle role is to keeps the board on their toes. Pushing us to be the best we can be. He works between New York, Sydney and London offering business advisory chartered accountancy services for ambitious growth companies.
Richard Bagnall
Non-Executive Director
Formally Chair of AMEC and co-CEO of CARMA, Richard is an exceptional and renowned expert in global media intelligence, data analytics and communications evaluation. As a Non-Exec Director he brings the perfect blend of agency leadership, data analytics and measurement expertise as well as a passion for client service excellence. He advises the UK, US, Germany and Singapore on upleveling evaluation, measurement and data analytics best practice, as well as bringing his expertise in scaling organisations to the global team. Richard is a Cabinet Office advisor, sitting on the evaluation council since 2013.
Petrina Marks
Senior Executive Assistant
Petrina is a seasoned EA with over 20 years of experience working with CEO’s and senior executives. Like any top level EA, she can juggle a variety of projects and tasks, whilst keeping the board in check and is also a super talented baker.
Having worked with Kirsty in a previous agency, the two work together in sync. Petrina is energetic, innovative and motivated with strong attention to detail. She keeps the office humming, occasionally fuelled by some fabulous edible creations.
Lisa Hüttl
Assistant to CEO Germany
It's all a question of organisation!
After a career in the fashion industry, where she spent time in Milan studying the rich and beautiful, and several years of expertise in family management, Lisa knows what it takes to keep a diverse company with different characters running. Communication is at the top of the list.
And because food keeps body and soul together, after work she likes to cook, invite people over and spend time together!
By the way: even though Lisa has now found happiness in Bavaria, her hometown Cologne is always in her heart. And anyone who needs tips because a trip will take them there, can get in touch at any time!
Claire Soutar
Senior Learning & Development Consultant
Claire joins us at Group level to develop and deliver our Hive Academy programme of leadership and management development. MCIPD qualified, with over 15 years experience, Claire Soutar has worked alongside teams and executives across multiple sectors including FMCG, Communications, Financial Services, Charity and Recruitment.
A Business Consultant and Leadership and Management Trainer, Claire helps business leaders and teams develop robust, commercially focused people agendas that drive growth and change. Her approach is honest, pragmatic, curious and fun. Claire gets to the heart of any business issue and delivers practical solutions. In addition to the above, Claire is also an experienced Executive Coach and Insights Discovery Practitioner.
Ayesha Kohli
Senior Consultant
Ayesha is Senior Consultant at Milk & Honey Singapore. She has over 20 years’ experience, operating at the intersection of brand storytelling, social impact and creative design. She has held leadership roles in creative agencies, multinationals and start-ups across various industries including Health, Consumer, Lifestyle, Tech. Ayesha brings hands-on experience in delivering insights-driven campaigns, leveraging earned, owned, paid and shared media across multiple channels. In her avatar as champion of heritage textile crafts and communities, she works closely with a diverse network of multigenerational artisans, developing contemporary products for a global audience while creating impact at the grassroots level.
Sanjiv Winayak
Head of AI, Senior Client Director
A graduate in Astrophysics and Philosophy, Sanjiv has been working in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle PR since 2013. Passionate about data driven ideation, Sanjiv brings an objective, measured and results driven approach to his work. Prior to joining Milk & Honey, Sanjiv worked with brands such as Teva and Planet Organic.
In his spare time, he cooks and plays tennis, with his aspirations in either field far outweighing his ability.
Georgia Cobden
Senior Client Director
Georgia joined Milk & Honey to bolster its strategic consumer communications offering, bringing with her seven years of experience delivering hard working press offices and award-winning integrated campaigns for global brands across Travel, FMCG, Retail, Hospitality and F&B industries.
She is an energetic and creative collaborator with a passion for campaigns that create positive social impact and behavioural change for consumer brands, organisations, and Government.
Georgia is a qualified Mental Health First Aider and member of the Harringay Council Volunteer Programme, Wellbeing Walks. Things that make her most content include spending time with loved ones, trips to vineyards and distilleries, exploring new cities and dancing to her favourite music.
Conor Douglass
Senior Client Director
Conor is a Senior Client Director with the New York team. Formerly of Edelman, Conor started his career focused on political campaigns, from a local mayoral race in 2013 to a US Congressional race in 2016. He also spent four years in Washington, DC working on Capitol Hill and in public affairs before arriving in NYC in 2019 to work for Edelman where he represented large F&B brands like PepsiCo and Campbell’s and supported professional services firms.
Outside of work, Conor is volunteers with an environmental group in Brooklyn that supports sustainability efforts in the community. He also stays active on the tennis court and the occasional hike in upstate New York.
Lewis Oakley
Head of Broadcast, Client Director
Lewis is a media hound with a broadcast background. As Client Director he works across a range of sectors, collaborating with clients to achieve their ambitions. In addition, he also works across many Milk & Honey initiatives, including the Diversity drive and the AI sprint.
Outside of the office, Lewis employs his PR expertise to advocate for a better understanding of bisexual individuals. His work is widely recognised, with regular contributions to major publications like Metro, HuffPost, and the Independent. Additionally, he co-hosts a thought-provoking podcast, writes an advice column, and delivers speeches to other companies, all aimed at promoting awareness and inclusivity.
Lewis's commitment to this cause has earned him accolades, including being twice honoured on the Pride Power List as one of the most influential LGBT+ figures in the UK. He has also received recognition as one of PRWeek's '30 under 30' rising stars.
Hannah Williams
Senior Digital Manager
Social and Digital are Hannah’s bread and butter. A music management graduate, fusing creative and business together, Hannah has a variety of agency side experience. From social video licensing on viral Facebook pages, to social, digital and creative account management across a variety of major corporations charities and small businesses.
With 3 ½ years previous experience at a full service agency, she skilfully account managed global activations and orchestrated co-marketing campaigns for renowned brands.
Described as a friendly, spirited, and ambitious individual, when Hannah’s not working on social and digital campaigns, she's an enthusiastic traveller and music enthusiast. While she once dabbled as a micro-influencer, these days, she leans toward leisure, and her life is brightened by Bella, her cherished cockapoo.
Patrizia Heun
Client Director
Patrizia brings energy and a can-do attitude to Milk & Honey's German office, which she's helping to grow on the Munich grounds. Her passion is telling great stories for clients in an innovative way and her warm personality has helped her to build strong relationships with Journalists in Germany and the UK.
With a degree in PR & advertising, Patrizia kicked-off her career in PR at The Hoffman Agency in London, which fostered her excitement for B2B tech. Over the years, she's worked with several multinational clients in the tech sector and in various areas - from AI over semiconductors to telecommunications, 5G, e-commerce, and surveillance technologies.
In her spare time, you'll find her on a sailing ship, learning how to play the Ukulele (which might still take some time) or traveling the world.
Sianna Peal
Head of Digital, North America
If you’re looking for a dynamic, creative, and results-driven marketing strategist, then look no further. With over five years' of digital marketing and PR experience in the USA, Sianna knows how to optimise her clients' performance and raise brand awareness.
Before joining Milk & Honey North America, Sianna used innovative strategies and market analyses that got her clients results. Sianna is a motivational leader, who places collaboration at the heart of success, ensuring business objectives are achieved while developing people's talent and industry knowledge.
Outside of work, you’ll find Sianna at the park with her dog Ahsoka, or chatting over brunch with her friends.
Juste Rekstyte
Senior Client Manager
Juste is an experienced manager specialising in all things financial services and B2B tech. Her experience includes global tech companies across semiconductors, digital infrastructure, data storage, IT services, and gaming. She has also worked with financial institutions and fintechs across open banking, crowdfunding, digital assets, and trading services providers on both institutional and retail sides. She is driven by the challenge of turning the complex into the compelling - that's her favourite part of PR!
Outside of work, you’ll find Juste walking and cycling around any green space in East London, going to gigs, and enjoying board games.
Caitlin Banton
Senior Client Manager
Caitlin is a strategic communicator and influencer specialist. Starting her career in 2017, she has experience in delivering cross-channel programmes for market leading lifestyle and FMCG brands. From implementing hard working press offices to crafting high reaching content series, her experience on integrated campaigns spans editorial, influencer marketing and full service social, from devising social strategies right through to content creation, community management and paid media. She is passionate about creative storytelling with a channel neutral approach to effectively bring brand stories to life.
In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys spending time with friends and trying new things – whether it’s trying new spots in town or pushing herself at a new workout class.
Jack Mullen
Finance Manager
Jack joins the team with his analytical eye to bring the numbers to life. An accountant by trade and a self-professed lover of all things numerical, he provides insightful data to the team to keep things on the right track. Beyond just the numbers, Jack oversees the finance functions of the Milk & Honey PR Group.
Outside of the office, you’ll find him doing all things football and finding the best pint to watch a match with.
Lola Carter
Client Manager
Lola is driven by a desire to help purpose-driven organisations shake up the status quo.
Lola graduated from the University of Sussex with a first-class Psychology degree in 2021. Shortly after, she kicked off her career and has since gained experience in delivering insight-driven campaigns for a variety of consumer, B2B and not-for-profit clients.
Naturally inquisitive and passionate about developing meaningful and long-lasting relationships, Lola is fascinated by great comms and how it can influence consumer behaviour.
Outside of working hours, you’ll find her experimenting with extravagant vegan recipes in the kitchen and exploring her new stomping ground of SW London.
Jin Lee
Client Manager
Jin is a passionate and driven PR professional with experience working across industries including B2B and B2C clients. In addition to her deep earned media experience developing unique and compelling pitches, she’s experienced in developing and executing influencer campaigns to reach a consumer-focused audience.
After graduating from Smith College with degrees in Government and East Asian Studies, Jin moved to New York and pursued a career in law as a legal analyst. After a career change, she went on to work at SourceCode Communications and 5WPR, working across CPG, consumer tech, and B2B portfolios before joining Milk & Honey.
Outside of the office, you can catch Jin outside with her dog, staying active, or finding the next best sushi restaurant.
Emma Weeks
Client Manager
Emma is Senior Client Executive and expert in all things B2B. She joined us with prior agency experience and a Masters in Public Relations and Multimedia Communications.
She is passionate about media and entertainment and is excited to bring her knowledge in the sector to the team.
Outside of work you’ll find her baking or playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Alexandra Fielker
Client Manager
Alexandra has always been fascinated in the impact of communication, leading her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Communication Science, Business and Economics as well as her Master's in International PR at the University of Munich.
She joins Milk & Honey's German team after gaining PR-experience in different communication agencies working for tech and lifestyle clients. With her calm but curious nature she is interested in a variety of topics, coming in handy when working for Milk & Honey PR's multifaceted clients.
Outside her job, she is passionate about reading and loves to try out new pastimes, such as dancing and painting.
Sydney Portigal
Client Manager
Sydney joins Milk and Honey’s North American team to utilize her strategic eye in finding creative and inventive solutions for client asks.
After graduating from Emory University with a degree in Political Science, she moved to New York City to join global financial technology firm The London Stock Exchange Group. Throughout her time there, Sydney lead multiple project-management workstreams, focusing on multiple areas across the business, from global onboarding to developing key internal communication launches.
Away from The Hive, Sydney loves to (attempt to) cook NYTimes recipes, increase her never ending book collection, try the endless new restaurants and bars popping up around the city, and spend time with her family and friends.
Oliver Henn
Digital Client Manager
Oliver has vast experience connecting brands, projects, IP, and products to diverse audiences through social media and other owned channels. Using his experience in theatre, film, and TV, Oliver blends storytelling and narrative training with digital strategy expertise for meaningful impact locally and internationally.
Having previously worked in house for major brands and as a consultant/freelancer for independent businesses and projects, Oliver joins Milk and Honey ready to combine the polarities of his experience towards creative, conscientious, and successful digital campaigns.
Outside of the office you’ll likely find Oliver cooking, watching his favourite sports teams and looking after his family dog Willow the Hungarian Vizsla or, ideally doing all three at once.
Maya Seth
Client Executive
After studying for a BA in Design at Goldsmiths University, Maya joined the hive in 2023, one week after graduating. She works across PR and digital communications while also leading on design and our internal marketing. With previous experience supporting a charity with its marketing, digital strategy and design, her work has always had a strong set of values at its heart. Outside the office, you will find Maya swimming in the sea, listening to live jazz or travelling to explore new cultures and cuisines.
Ava Jafarmadar
Client Executive
As a member of the North American team, Ava leverages her passion for strategy and storytelling to help brands create a lasting impact. With a B.S. in Public Relations, she has worked with diverse organizations to amplify voices and deliver projects that drive real change. Her international background gives her a strong appreciation for different perspectives and fresh ideas, which she brings to every project.
Outside the hive, Ava enjoys surfing, scuba diving, listening to live music, traveling to new places, and trying new things. She also values time spent with family and friends, while cooking a nice meal.
Lea Knobloch
Client Executive
As a part of the Munich office, Lea utilizes her strategic chops and love for storytelling to help impactful brands make a difference. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Business Management in 2022, and then jumped right into agency live at a Boston-based tech PR Agency. Some of her clients included Anjuna, Archer, and Gradle.
In her free time, you can usually find Lea playing beach volleyball, curled up on the couch with a Thriller, or munching on chocolatey treats to appease her sweet tooth.
Keaiana O'Riordan
Client Executive
Keaiana began her career as a freelancer after graduating during the pandemic and wanting to gain experience. She joined the world of tech PR in 2022, where she gained skills across various sectors including broadcast technology, VFX, animation, gaming, enterprise technology, cybersecurity, and telecommunications.
In July 2024, Keaiana joined Milk & Honey, with a strong interest in technology and a passion for DEI&B initiatives.
Outside of work, Keaiana enjoys cooking and exploring different cultures through food, slow Sunday’s, live music and MMA.
Madison Boyce
Client Assistant
Mads joined us in July 2024 as an intern and we could just not let her go! She is a new face on the PR scene having graduated from Durham University Business School only two days before starting at Milk & Honey PR! Outside of work, you will often find Mads at the dance studio, out socialising with friends or fueling her shopping addiction.
Ruth Chew
Senior Consultant
Ruth is a Senior Consultant at Milk & Honey Singapore with over 20 years in marketing communications. A passionate brand storyteller, Ruth started as a lifestyle journalist writing for leading women’s titles in Singapore such as Harper’s Bazaar and Her World.
She then moved into fashion retail and PR, working with brands like Calvin Klein Jeans and Gucci, as well as e-commerce leaders like Audible and Piaget.
Personally, Ruth is passionate about women’s issues, advocating for women’s rights, health, and mental well-being. She is a certified Tiny Habits® and Thrive Global coach, a well-being platform founded by Arianna Huffington.
