Purple Strategies has elevated Kristen Morgante to be Purple’s first Managing Partner. Having been with the firm since its founding, Kristen has been COO for the past decade and was named a partner in 2015.
“Purple’s business and team have grown exponentially in recent years and increasingly all roads lead to Kristen,” said Steve McMahon, Purple co-founder and CEO. “Just as some of the world’s most significant corporations turn to Purple as a partner for navigating change, Alex and I turn to Kristen as our partner in charting the course for the firm. We are fortunate to have had her alongside us since the beginning and now in this new role for Purple.”
As COO, Kristen has been responsible for all day-to-day operations of the business and leading the firm’s long-term growth strategies. In her role, Kristen aligns Purple’s unique talent and expertise against client needs to deliver high-performing teams. Through her work with the founding partners, she is credited with scaling Purple’s client offering, building its dynamic culture, and creating a rewarding place to work for professionals from a cross a multitude of disciplines.
“Kristen is without question the heart and soul of Purple,” said Alex Castellanos, Purple co-founder and chairman. “This firm continues to be the special place that it is in largest part because of the sharp, talented people who make it their professional home. Kristen has been instrumental in shaping the experience of each person who walks through our doors, and I’m confident I speak for all of them when I say we’re excited Kristen has agreed to take on this role.”
Kristen got her start in Democratic politics, beginning her career in the Clinton Administration, and continuing her work on state and federal Democratic campaigns across the country, including Howard Dean’s Presidential campaign in 2004. Before Purple, Kristen served as Associate for Strategic Planning and Special Assistant to President and CEO John Podesta at the Center for American Progress. Kristen currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the nonprofit policy advocacy group, Stronger Fairer Forward.
“The team at Purple is extraordinarily special. I’m proud of our work in both partnering with clients to tackle their toughest challenges, while also investing in our internal culture and community to make this place a magnet for such brilliant and interesting people,” Kristen said. “The growth and success Purple has enjoyed has put us on an exciting path of transformation as a firm, and I’m grateful for the trust Steve, Alex and our other partners have placed in me to help ensure we continue to scale and evolve in ways that best support our outstanding team and our clients.”
In addition to Kristen and co-founders Steve McMahon and Alex Castellanos, Purple’s partnership includes Chief Creative Officer Jillayne Smyth Rogers, John Gatti, Chris Durlak and Rory Cooper; and founding partners, emeritus, Mark Squier and Robin Roberts.
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