BCW Group has promoted Amy Cloessner from Chief Operating Officer to President of Direct Impact (DI), an agency providing local, grassroots public relations, public affairs, and issues advocacy services.

According to a release, Cloessner, based in Washington, D.C.. “will be responsible for building DI’s offerings, growing its client base and overseeing talent management. She will work closely with Jeff Joseph, BCW’s incoming President, Washington, D.C., as well as BCW Group company Prime Policy Group, to develop solutions and programs for clients that require holistic grassroots, lobbying, policy and reputational programs.”

During her tenure with DI, Cloessner has served as the client lead/grassroots senior strategist for Fortune 100 companies, associations and nonprofits spanning a wide range of issues and industries, such as healthcare, financial services and automotive. She also currently serves as the U.S. local lead for one of BCW’s largest global accounts, working with a nationwide field network across more than 90 markets to deliver corporate reputation and marketing communications for the organization.

Mary Corcoran, President, North America, BCW, to whom Cloessner reports, said that in her most recent role as Chief Operating Officer of DI, “Amy has led the firm’s daily operations, including developing business strategies across all lines of business, overseeing staffing decisions, building and managing relationships with a diverse network of partners, and driving DI’s culture, vision and growth. This is a natural next step for her and I’m excited for what DI will achieve under her leadership.””

Cloessner succeeds Drew O’Brien in this role.