Finn Partners Named New Global Technology Lead

Laura Macdonald will oversee the nearly 300-person technology practice following a leadership vacancy.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in People

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Finn Partners has appointed Laura Macdonald as global technology leader, tasked with managing the firm's nearly 300-person technology division. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Finn Partners has appointed Laura Macdonald as its global technology leader, filling a position that remained vacant since September 2024. The firm's technology division reported $50.3 million in fees for 2025.

Why it matters

The hire marks a shift in leadership for a division that has expanded its roster by over 50 clients in the past year, reflecting the agency's efforts to maintain its growth trajectory in a competitive market.

The agency's technology practice generated $50.3 million in fees in 2025 with a team of nearly 300 employees. Over the same 12-month period, the group expanded its portfolio by adding more than 50 new clients.

The players

Laura Macdonald

The newly appointed global technology leader at Finn Partners and former president of Hotwire Americas.

Finn Partners

A global marketing and communications agency with headquarters in New York that employs nearly 300 people in its technology practice.

Peter Finn

The global CEO of Finn Partners who oversees firm-wide operations and strategy.

Sabrina Guttman

The former technology practice lead at Finn Partners who departed the agency in September 2024.

The details

Macdonald will report directly to global CEO Peter Finn and operate from San Francisco. She joins the firm after previously serving as the president of Hotwire Americas. Her arrival concludes a search that began after the departure of former lead Sabrina Guttman in September 2024.

Timeline

  1. September 2024: Sabrina Guttman left the agency, leaving the role vacant.

  2. 2025: The technology practice generated $50.3 million in fees.

  3. September 29, 2026: The agency announced the hiring of Laura Macdonald.

Market Landscape

The hire ends a significant leadership transition period for the firm, which followed the September 2024 departure of Sabrina Guttman. It positions Finn Partners to stabilize its management structure after a year of notable client acquisition.

Operators looking at this firm should track whether the new leadership alters the current fee-to-headcount efficiency of $50.3 million per 300 staff members. Client managers should monitor if Macdonald adjusts the agency's recent onboarding velocity for new accounts.

The takeaway

Agencies often face organizational friction during extended leadership gaps, but this hire signals a return to a settled executive structure. Stakeholders should track the firm's client retention metrics over the next two quarters to see if the leadership change impacts service stability.

Further reading

For more on industry hiring trends and executive moves, visit People.