Shankland will remain with Emerald in the newly created role of executive director and senior advisor and remain on the company’s Board of Directors. COO Brian Field will serve as interim president and CEO while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement.
“Brian joined Emerald as COO in June of this year and has been responsible for jointly developing and implementing Sally’s strategic plan designed to improve customer satisfaction, enhance Emerald’s operating efficiency, identify and pursue ancillary revenue opportunities and ultimately return the company to sustainable organic growth,” says Emerald Chairman Kosty Gilis in a written statement. “The Board has been impressed with the quick implementation of Sally’s strategic initiatives and the execution delivered by Brian and his team.”
Shankland joined Emerald in June 2019. Before becoming President and CEO of Emerald, Shankland held a number of executive jobs with top companies, such as UBM Americas, where she was CEO. One of her first moves at Emerald was to hire Field from UBM Americas where he had also been COO. Prior to that role, Field held senior positions at UBM Medica, where he oversaw operations, finance, marketing, product, technology and sales efforts for the business’ print and digital products and events.
“I would like to thank Sally for the hugely positive impact she has had on Emerald since she joined us first as a board member and then as President and CEO, including her efforts in attracting a world-class leadership team, including Brian, to the company to implement her vision,” Gilis says. “We look forward to her continued involvement in the business and wish her every success in improving her health.”
