Our Team
The Reputation Partner Leaders Trust
Our senior team brings deep experience across business, government, and journalism, having advised C-suite executives, senior government officials, military leaders, and nonprofit organizations. With a presence in New York, Washington, D.C., Texas, and Florida, NSG offers both national reach and local insight.
Ray Kerins
Chief Executive Officer
Global Executive Leadership positions at Bayer, Pfizer, and Merck
Three decades of Reputation, Crisis, and Issues Management
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Ray Kerins
Chief Executive Officer
Ray Kerins is Chief Executive Officer of The Next Security Group. Prior to founding NSG, Kerins served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Bayer Corporation, where he managed all communications, government relations and policy for the company’s main businesses – Agricultural, Consumer, Pharmaceuticals and Animal Health. He was a member of the U.S. Country Leadership Team and the Bayer Global Leadership Council.
Ray also oversaw the Bayer U.S. Foundation and was chairman of Bayer’s political action committee. He spent eight years as the executive sponsor for Bayer’s veteran employee resource group BRAVE (Bayer Resources for Armed Forces Veteran & Employees). Additionally, he was the executive sponsor of BLEND, Bayer’s LGBTQIA+ resource group.
Prior to Bayer, Kerins was Vice President of External Affairs and Worldwide Communications at Pfizer Inc., and earlier served as Executive Director of Public Affairs at Merck & Co.
Kerins is an Executive Committee member of the board of directors at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as Chair Emeritus of the Chamber’s Global Innovation Property Center focused on advancing and protecting innovation and Intellectual Property rights. Ray serves as Chair on the Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s Business Roundtable. He is a board member of the Congressional Award, U.S. Congress’ only charity focused on American youth.
Kerins serves as a board member of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the U.S., is a long-standing advisor of the annual National Press Foundation and a member of the National Press Club.
Kerins holds a Master of Science degree and Bachelor of Arts degree from Iona College. He has also attended executive leadership trainings at Harvard Business School.
Kerins is the only two-time recipient of the PRWeek Magazine “Public Relations Professional of the Year” (2010 &
2016) and in 2015 was inducted into the PR News Hall of Fame.
In 2018, 4-H awarded Kerins their Luminary Award, a lifetime achievement honor which recognizes individuals for demonstrating leadership, promoting 4-H values and inspiring youth through public engagement.
He is an active lecturer at universities and business schools across America.
Dan Childs
Managing Director
Former SVP of Healthcare Media Relations for Porter Novelli and Director of U.S. External Communications for Bayer
Emmy Award Winning Former Managing Editor of the ABC News Medical Unit
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Dan Childs
Managing Director, Global Media Engagement
Dan is an Emmy Award-winning former journalist and communicator whose body of work spans broadcast, print and digital venues. He is currently Managing Director, Head of Global Media Engagement for The Next Solutions Group (NSG). In his role with the corporate consultancy firm, he guides clients in engaging with the media to advance their reputation and navigate critical communications issues.
Among the various posts Dan held in his more than 17 years as a journalist was his leadership of the ABC News Medical Unit, the nerve center for all health and medical news reported across the network. Through his work with World News with David Muir, Good Morning America, ABCNews.com, ABC News Now and the network’s other broadcast and digital platforms, Dan covered numerous public health issues, including the Affordable Care Act and the opioid crisis in America. He also coordinated and supervised the ABC News Medical Journalism resident elective rotation – a unique four-week program that attracted hundreds of physicians from across the United States and trained them to work with and within the media.
Following his career in journalism, Dan held the roles of Director of U.S. External Communications for Bayer, where he served as one of the top media relations professionals for Bayer in the United States, and SVP of Healthcare Media Relations for Porter Novelli, where he led the Health Media Team and provided strategic counsel on media strategy, supporting the firm’s work with leading global health clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech and consumer health space. Dan is on the Founding Advisory Board of the Meharry Medical College Institute of Global Health Equity, and he also holds an academic appointment as an adjunct professor at the Meharry Medical College School of Global Health, where he teaches a course on health communication at the school’s Summer Institute. He has a past academic appointment at the Tufts University School of Medicine as an adjunct lecturer of Medical Journalism and Health Communication.
Among the various posts Dan held in his more than 17 years as a journalist was his leadership of the ABC News Medical Unit, the nerve center for all health and medical news reported across the network. Through his work with World News with David Muir, Good Morning America, ABCNews.com, ABC News Now and the network’s other broadcast and digital platforms, Dan covered numerous public health issues, including the Affordable Care Act and the opioid crisis in America. He also coordinated and supervised the ABC News Medical Journalism resident elective rotation – a unique four-week program that attracted hundreds of physicians from across the United States and trained them to work with and within the media.
Following his career in journalism, Dan held the roles of Director of U.S. External Communications for Bayer, where he served as one of the top media relations professionals for Bayer in the United States, and SVP of Healthcare Media Relations for Porter Novelli, where he led the Health Media Team and provided strategic counsel on media strategy, supporting the firm’s work with leading global health clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech and consumer health space. Dan is on the Founding Advisory Board of the Meharry Medical College Institute of Global Health Equity, and he also holds an academic appointment as an adjunct professor at the Meharry Medical College School of Global Health, where he teaches a course on health communication at the school’s Summer Institute. He has a past academic appointment at the Tufts University School of Medicine as an adjunct lecturer of Medical Journalism and Health Communication.
Justin Blum
Managing Director
Former senior editor and reporter at Bloomberg News, Washington Post and St. Petersburg Times
Covered the White House, U.S. Congress, Justice Department, and industries including health care, energy, education, and financial regulation
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Justin Blum
Managing Director, Content and Issues Management
Justin helps organizations navigate complex challenges, shape narratives, and manage high-stakes communications.
An award-winning journalist and editor, Justin brings deep experience from leading news organizations. He served as a senior editor at Bloomberg News, where he led coverage of Congress and the White House, oversaw night news operations in the Washington bureau, and managed national reporting teams across the United States. Earlier, he edited coverage of the Justice Department, federal law enforcement, the U.S. Supreme Court, and financial regulation. He began at Bloomberg as a reporter, covering the Food and Drug Administration followed by the Justice Department.
Earlier in his career, Justin reported for The Washington Post, covering energy, the aftermath of September 11 attacks, Washington, D.C. public schools, and local and state government. He also was a reporter for the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times).
An award-winning journalist and editor, Justin brings deep experience from leading news organizations. He served as a senior editor at Bloomberg News, where he led coverage of Congress and the White House, oversaw night news operations in the Washington bureau, and managed national reporting teams across the United States. Earlier, he edited coverage of the Justice Department, federal law enforcement, the U.S. Supreme Court, and financial regulation. He began at Bloomberg as a reporter, covering the Food and Drug Administration followed by the Justice Department.
Earlier in his career, Justin reported for The Washington Post, covering energy, the aftermath of September 11 attacks, Washington, D.C. public schools, and local and state government. He also was a reporter for the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times).
Brenda Kerins
Vice President
Former Vice President Foreign Exchange, Brown Brothers Harriman
MBA, NYU Stern School of Business
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Brenda Kerins
Vice President, Head of Operations & Finance
As the Vice President of Finance and Operations at The Next Solutions Group. Brenda Kerins oversees the full spectrum of the firm’s financial and operational functions, including strategic financial planning, reporting and analysis, budgeting and forecasting, risk management, and cash flow management. She also leads the firm’s operations and PEO for payroll and benefits.
Brenda brings a distinguished financial career. Prior to joining The Next Solutions Group, she served as Vice President of Foreign Exchange at Brown Brothers Harriman, one of the oldest and largest private investment banks in the United States, where as part of the FX Marketing team she provided country economic analysis and later served as a key liaison between trading and technology teams.
Brenda holds a B.A. in English Literature from Iona University and an MBA in Finance with a specialization in International Markets from NYU Stern School of Business. Brenda’s financial expertise and operational leadership are central to the firm’s continued success.
Brenda brings a distinguished financial career. Prior to joining The Next Solutions Group, she served as Vice President of Foreign Exchange at Brown Brothers Harriman, one of the oldest and largest private investment banks in the United States, where as part of the FX Marketing team she provided country economic analysis and later served as a key liaison between trading and technology teams.
Brenda holds a B.A. in English Literature from Iona University and an MBA in Finance with a specialization in International Markets from NYU Stern School of Business. Brenda’s financial expertise and operational leadership are central to the firm’s continued success.
Carolyn Nagle
Vice President
Former Integrated Strategic Communications Manager at Bayer
Strong experience in Operations, External Communications, Women’s Healthcare and Oncology
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Carolyn Nagle
Vice President
Carolyn Nagle is Vice President at The Next Solutions Group, where she brings more than a decade of communications experience spanning strategic and product communications, reputation management, and community engagement. In this role, she draws on a deep understanding of corporate communications to counsel clients through complex challenges and high-stakes moments.
Prior to joining the firm, Carolyn spent close to twelve years at Bayer, where she most recently served as their Integrated Strategic Communications Manager for their Pharmaceutical division. During this time, she led product communications for Oncology, Women’s Healthcare and Hematology, while also supporting their U.S. pharmaceuticals communications and executive visibility initiatives. Prior to her manager role, she supported Bayer’s corporate external communications – focused primarily on community engagement and the Bayer Fund, the
company’s philanthropic arm – and media analytics.
Carolyn holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Her strong corporate background, combined with her experience navigating the complexities of the healthcare industry, makes her a valuable and trusted voice for the clients she serves at The Next Solutions Group.
Prior to joining the firm, Carolyn spent close to twelve years at Bayer, where she most recently served as their Integrated Strategic Communications Manager for their Pharmaceutical division. During this time, she led product communications for Oncology, Women’s Healthcare and Hematology, while also supporting their U.S. pharmaceuticals communications and executive visibility initiatives. Prior to her manager role, she supported Bayer’s corporate external communications – focused primarily on community engagement and the Bayer Fund, the
company’s philanthropic arm – and media analytics.
Carolyn holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Her strong corporate background, combined with her experience navigating the complexities of the healthcare industry, makes her a valuable and trusted voice for the clients she serves at The Next Solutions Group.
John Clark
Senior Advisor
Former Head of Global Security, Pfizer
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary Department of Homeland Security
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John Clark
Senior Advisor
John Clark, Senior Advisor to the Next Solutions Group, brings decades of experience in security, intelligence, and government operations helping organizations navigate complex risk environments.
John previously served as Vice President and Chief Security Officer at Pfizer, where he led a global team responsible for addressing security threats across the enterprise. He oversaw intelligence collection, facility and remote security monitoring, and traveler safety for more than 80,000 employees worldwide.
He began his career in U.S. Customs, where he held leadership roles over nearly two decades, rising through every level of management from Group Supervisor in New York to Special Agent in Charge in Miami.
Prior to his role at Pfizer, John was Deputy Assistant Secretary at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In that role, he managed operations across a 20,000-person agency with a $4 billion budget and established the ICE Intellectual Property Rights Center, bringing together law enforcement and private sector partners to combat intellectual property violations.
Clark also helped establish—and subsequently chaired—the ICE Foundation from 2009 to 2019. This nonprofit organization raised funds to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel and their families during times of need, such as line-of-duty injuries or family emergencies, including damage caused by natural disasters like hurricanes.
John previously served as Vice President and Chief Security Officer at Pfizer, where he led a global team responsible for addressing security threats across the enterprise. He oversaw intelligence collection, facility and remote security monitoring, and traveler safety for more than 80,000 employees worldwide.
He began his career in U.S. Customs, where he held leadership roles over nearly two decades, rising through every level of management from Group Supervisor in New York to Special Agent in Charge in Miami.
Prior to his role at Pfizer, John was Deputy Assistant Secretary at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In that role, he managed operations across a 20,000-person agency with a $4 billion budget and established the ICE Intellectual Property Rights Center, bringing together law enforcement and private sector partners to combat intellectual property violations.
Clark also helped establish—and subsequently chaired—the ICE Foundation from 2009 to 2019. This nonprofit organization raised funds to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel and their families during times of need, such as line-of-duty injuries or family emergencies, including damage caused by natural disasters like hurricanes.
Bob Pearson
Senior Counselor
Global Executive Leadership positions at Novartis and Dell
Instructor to U.S. Government in Countering Disinformation
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Bob Pearson
Senior Counselor
Bob Pearson, Senior Counselor at the Next Solutions Group, is a leading industry expert in healthcare communications and innovation. Pearson has built and led top-ranked media and advisory firms and currently serves as Chair of the Pearson Advisory Group.
He previously served as President of GCI Health and as Vice Chair and Chief Innovation Officer at Real Chemistry. Earlier in his career, Pearson was Vice President of Communications and Conversations at Dell, and Global Head of Communications for Novartis.
He also served as a Senior technology advisor to the U.S. State Department’s Global Engagement Center Digital Advisory Board. In addition to his corporate leadership roles, he is a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business and has authored six books on communications, leadership, and digital transformation.
From 2018 to 2020, Pearson served as Interim CEO of the MedicAlert Foundation, where he led nonprofit operations and organizational strategy during a transition.
He previously served as President of GCI Health and as Vice Chair and Chief Innovation Officer at Real Chemistry. Earlier in his career, Pearson was Vice President of Communications and Conversations at Dell, and Global Head of Communications for Novartis.
He also served as a Senior technology advisor to the U.S. State Department’s Global Engagement Center Digital Advisory Board. In addition to his corporate leadership roles, he is a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business and has authored six books on communications, leadership, and digital transformation.
From 2018 to 2020, Pearson served as Interim CEO of the MedicAlert Foundation, where he led nonprofit operations and organizational strategy during a transition.
Hannah Hughes
Associate
B.A. Ithaca College Integrative Marketing Communications, Legal Studies Minor
Research & PR Engagement in Media
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Hannah Hughes
Associate
Hannah Hughes is an Associate at The Next Solutions Group with four years of experience in strategic communications. She specializes in public relations, media strategy, and corporate communications, and has contributed to client account management, stakeholder engagement, voter influence campaigns, and strategic messaging that have helped earn the firm several industry awards.
Hannah graduated from Ithaca College’s prestigious Roy H. Park School of Communications with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Marketing Communications (IMC) and minors in Legal Studies and History. Throughout her college career, Hannah was a student-athlete and also took on leadership roles as a peer success coach, teaching assistant, lead social media manager, and student supervisor at the campus store.
Her career at The Next Solutions Group reflects consistent growth and expanding responsibility. Known for her collaborative approach and ability to navigate complex communications challenges, Hannah is committed to delivering thoughtful and impactful work.
Hannah graduated from Ithaca College’s prestigious Roy H. Park School of Communications with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Marketing Communications (IMC) and minors in Legal Studies and History. Throughout her college career, Hannah was a student-athlete and also took on leadership roles as a peer success coach, teaching assistant, lead social media manager, and student supervisor at the campus store.
Her career at The Next Solutions Group reflects consistent growth and expanding responsibility. Known for her collaborative approach and ability to navigate complex communications challenges, Hannah is committed to delivering thoughtful and impactful work.
Cate Fesenmyer
Assistant Account Executive
B.A. Boston College Communication, Journalism & Applied Psychology Minor
Strategic Communications, Research & Crisis Management
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Cate Fesenmyer
Assistant Account Executive
Cate Fesenmyer is a strategic communications professional specializing in public relations, crisis communications, marketing, and reputation management. As an Assistant Account Executive at The Next Solutions Group, she plays a key role in executing high-impact communications campaigns, supporting brand positioning, and delivering results for clients across media sectors.
A graduate of Boston College, Cate earned her B.A. in Communication, graduating summa cum laude and ranking among the top 10 GPAs in her major. She complemented her studies with minors in both Journalism and Applied Psychology & Human Development and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu—the prestigious Jesuit honor society recognizing the top 4% of students for scholarship, loyalty, and service.
Cate distinguished herself not only academically, but as an exceptional leader and communicator. As Head Coordinator of the university’s largest undergraduate organization, the Student Admissions Program, she directed more than 1,500 student volunteers, led strategic outreach initiatives, and developed inclusive programming that engaged over 70,000 prospective students and families each year. Through her leadership, she played a pivotal role in shaping the university’s approach to recruitment, mentorship, and community engagement.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Cate is also readily involved in her communities. She was a longtime volunteer with the Maritime Education Network, a tutor with St. Stephen’s Youth Programs, and is currently training for and running the New York City Marathon with charity partner Team for Kids, raising funds to support youth running programs.
Cate brings a strong blend of strategic thinking, empathy, and execution to her work. She excels at connecting with diverse audiences, collaborating effectively, and driving initiatives that create meaningful impact—positioning her as a rising professional in the communications field.
A graduate of Boston College, Cate earned her B.A. in Communication, graduating summa cum laude and ranking among the top 10 GPAs in her major. She complemented her studies with minors in both Journalism and Applied Psychology & Human Development and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu—the prestigious Jesuit honor society recognizing the top 4% of students for scholarship, loyalty, and service.
Cate distinguished herself not only academically, but as an exceptional leader and communicator. As Head Coordinator of the university’s largest undergraduate organization, the Student Admissions Program, she directed more than 1,500 student volunteers, led strategic outreach initiatives, and developed inclusive programming that engaged over 70,000 prospective students and families each year. Through her leadership, she played a pivotal role in shaping the university’s approach to recruitment, mentorship, and community engagement.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Cate is also readily involved in her communities. She was a longtime volunteer with the Maritime Education Network, a tutor with St. Stephen’s Youth Programs, and is currently training for and running the New York City Marathon with charity partner Team for Kids, raising funds to support youth running programs.
Cate brings a strong blend of strategic thinking, empathy, and execution to her work. She excels at connecting with diverse audiences, collaborating effectively, and driving initiatives that create meaningful impact—positioning her as a rising professional in the communications field.
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