Director - TrailRunner International

Ali Adkins

Ali Adkins is a Director at TrailRunner International based in New York, bringing more than a decade of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, and issues management to advise clients on corporate positioning, media relations, executive thought leadership, financial communications, and reputation management.

Prior to joining TrailRunner International, Ali held Director roles at Wachsman in New York, and PLUS Communications and FGS Global in Washington, D.C., serving as a key communications advisor and strategist to public and private companies, high-growth startups, industry trade groups, and advocacy organizations spanning the financial services, technology, telecommunications, media/entertainment, and sports industries, as well as emerging markets like fintech and blockchain.

Ali’s clients have included some of the world’s largest and most dynamic businesses as they undergo periods of historic change in their industries, markets, and regulatory environments. Her work has entailed high-stakes and complex situations such as M&A, regulatory action, market entry, fundraises, and executive and organizational change.

Ali holds a Bachelor of Science in political science and communications studies from the University of Kentucky. She is an avid reader, writer, and adventure-seeker who enjoys live music, sports, and quality time with her husband James and miniature dachshund Hazel.

Deron Smith

Deron Smith is a Director for TrailRunner International based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Deron brings over 20 years of experience leading strategic communications for some of the world’s most influential companies focusing on building trust, shaping narratives, and guiding teams through periods of change and transformation.

Most recently, Deron was the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at BLDR Holdings, where he directed brand strategy, business development support, and corporate communications. Also, he led the creation of a subsidiary, a mass timber construction company, overseeing its operations, brand, communications, and business development efforts.

Prior to that, Deron was the National Director of Communications for the Boy Scouts of America, serving as the organization’s national spokesperson. He worked closely with executive leadership and oversaw messaging, crisis response, and media relations, helping guide the organization through intense challenges and transformation.

Deron also served as a Vice President at Edelman, advising clients on crisis issues, reputation management, and large-scale proactive communications programs as well as serving as a presentation and media trainer. He began his career with roles at Publicis Dialog and The Gooden Group, serving clients and building expertise in media relations, crisis response, executive positioning, and campaign strategy.

Deron earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from the University of Central Oklahoma. He and his wife, Audrey, live in Dallas/Fort Worth and have three sons. Deron is a history fanatic, swimmer, golfer, and a loyal Indiana Hoosiers basketball fan.

Jamie Paster

Jamie Paster is a Director for TrailRunner International, based in New York. Jamie brings over 15 years’ experience advising some of the world’s most innovative companies on corporate positioning, executive thought leadership, and strategic media relations.

Before joining TrailRunner International, Jamie served as Senior Vice President at Weber Shandwick, where she led corporate storytelling and integrated communications efforts across the Mars portfolio. Previously, she was Vice President at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, overseeing external communications for Walgreens with a focus on corporate culture, digital transformation, and crisis response.

Jamie’s earlier experience includes roles of increasing responsibility at Coyne PR, Green Room PR, and Stern Strategy Group, where she partnered with clients in sectors including sustainability, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and more.

Jamie graduated from Monmouth University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and communications. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys traveling, cooking, and exploring new adventures with her two children.

Seven Liang

Seven Liang is a Director at TrailRunner International based in Shanghai, where she specializes in supporting clients in corporate communications, media partnerships, and integrated marketing communications. Seven brings more than 12 years of experience in the business of sports, lifestyle, and Fortune 500 brands.

Most recently, before joining TrailRunner International, Seven served for five years as a PR Director at the Asia-based digital agency Mailman, a company of TKO Group, driving communications for some of the world’s leading organizations, celebrities, and luxury brands by promoting their prominence and visibility in the sports sector. She worked collaboratively with creative, digital, and marketing teams across the globe to support large-scale international sports initiatives and landed execution with excellence. Prior to that, Seven served as Head of Marketing and Deputy General Manager for the Huatai Golf Academy in Beijing and Senior Project Manager for Shanghai Ryder Sports Development where she managed the company’s public relations and worked with golf clubs and golf brands.

Seven graduated from Dublin Institute of Technology with a Master of Science and Entrepreneurship and received a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical science and an honor degree in biotechnology science from Dundalk Institute of Technology. In her free time, Seven enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, and modern drama, and loves to explore new things.

Maribeth Darling

Maribeth Darling is a Director at TrailRunner International based in New York, bringing over a decade of experience in public relations, marketing, and brand management with a focus on corporate and financial communications. She specializes in financial storytelling and media relations for clients across various sectors, including enterprise tech, e-commerce, fintech, cybersecurity, and others.

Prior to TrailRunner International, Maribeth was a Vice President at Hotwire Global, leading corporate communications and financial communications work for technology clients, from Fortune 1000 companies to challenger brands, dealing with significant business transformations and crises. Before Hotwire, Maribeth was a Director at ICR, where she led clients through special situations, including IPOs, M&As, and SPACs.

Maribeth began her career at boutique agencies, working with 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the New York City area. She was recognized in 2023 as a “Rising Star in PR” by Business Insider. With a strong passion for developing talent, Maribeth has mentored students in Minnesota’s Twin Cities Career Exploration program, helping shape the next generation of PR professionals.

A graduate of SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor of Arts in history, Maribeth is an avid world traveler and enjoys exploring new cultures. Outside of work, she enjoys snowboarding and discovering local breweries with her husband and Labradoodle, Lenox.

Lindsay Gross

Lindsay Gross is a Director at TrailRunner International based in New York, bringing more than a decade of experience as a senior strategic advisor to some of the world’s most influential and high growth companies.

Most recently, she was a Director at Brunswick Group, serving as a key advisor to leadership teams at public and private companies across industries, particularly in the consumer, technology, and financial services spaces. Her work entailed complex transactions such as M&A, IPOs and spin-offs, financial communications, crisis management, business and organizational transformation, corporate positioning, media relations, and brand building.

Prior to Brunswick, Lindsay served as a Principal at Kekst CNC, advising senior clients on diverse and often high-stakes reputational matters. Before that, she held several roles at Weber Shandwick, including Senior Manager for Corporate Issues and Financial Communications.

Over her career, Lindsay has also completed in-house secondments during periods of significant change – including a high-profile spin-off and a pandemic-era organizational restructuring and global technology transformation.

Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Science in communication studies from Boston University and a Master of Science in corporate and organizational communications, magna cum laude, from New York University. In her spare time, she is an avid hiker, Peloton member, and long-suffering Brooklyn Nets fan. She lives in the New York City suburbs with her husband Evan and daughter Blake.

Christoph Diesch

Christoph Diesch is a Director for TrailRunner International based in the United Arab Emirates.

Bringing more than 10 years of government, corporate, and startup communications experience, Christoph joined the firm from Edelman, where he served as Head of Technology for the UAE. In this capacity, Christoph led the development and execution of regional communications strategies for leading international, regional, and UAE-based tech firms.

In addition, Christoph led the communications programs and media centers for some of Dubai’s largest technology events such as GITEX Technology Week, AI Everything, and GISEC. Before leading Edelman’s technology practice, Christoph oversaw large teams on some of the firm’s largest EMEA clients and was part of a dual-hub team operating between London and Dubai for a major multinational client.

Prior to his five-year tenure at Edelman, Christoph held various positions at APCO Worldwide, mainly working on government affairs projects, which included work with the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Christoph holds a Master of Science in international management for China from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in international relations and Chinese from the University of Westminster and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Outside of work, and apart from being a passionate dog lover, Christoph enjoys going on long road bike rides through the UAE’s picturesque Al Qudra desert, CrossFit, and reading.

Anan Ibrahim

Anan Ibrahim is a Director for TrailRunner International based in the United Arab Emirates drawing on 14 years of experience in communications in both agency and in-house roles.

Anan specializes in providing counsel and communications support to clients in the energy, oil and gas, and industrials sectors. Prior to joining TrailRunner, Anan led Edelman’s UAE energy practice where she oversaw the setup and growth of the firm’s energy portfolio, which included some of the largest energy companies in the world.

Anan also led large-scale communications projects for clients participating at Expo 2020 and more recently, COP28. She also oversaw the delivery of Arabic spokesperson training modules for senior government officials and C-suite executives.

Before joining Edelman, Anan held an in-house role as Head of Media Relations at the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) for six years. She also previously served in a variety of roles with global firms including Weber Shandwick and Golin.

Anan holds a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from the American University of Sharjah and a Certificate of Crisis Management in social media from the International School of Communication (ISOC).

Anan was born in the UAE but is of Egyptian heritage. She is a mother of two. In her spare time, she knits, watches documentaries, and hopes to write children’s books in the very near future.

Maddie Kraft

Maddie Kraft is a Director for TrailRunner International based in Phoenix, where she specializes in supporting clients in collegiate, professional, and international sports.

Maddie has more than eight years of experience in the business of sports. During her time at TrailRunner International, Maddie led the formation of the initial strategic plan for TrailRunner Sports alongside partners at Legends. She plays a key role on teams providing strategic communications and business strategy solutions for NFL, MLB, EPL, and “Power 4” collegiate clients. In 2025, Sports Business Journal named Maddie to its New Voices under 30 list.

Most recently, Maddie was an Associate at TrailRunner International and previously served as Manager of Corporate Partnership Marketing for the Dallas Cowboys, where she helped develop significant commercial relationships with more than 20 corporate partners. Before that, Maddie was a Partner Service and Activation Coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals Football Club, where she managed client relationships and oversaw contractual agreements for more than 40 corporate partners, including leading the onboarding efforts for the new naming rights partner, State Farm, in 2018.

Maddie holds a Master of Business Administration from the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University as well as a Bachelor of Science in marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in sports business from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Maddie enjoys giving back to her alma mater, Arizona State, serving as an Executive Mentor for the Sports Business Scholars program. In her free time, Maddie likes to exercise, hike with her dog Charlie, travel with her husband, read, and work on her golf game.

Jen Hibbard

Jen Hibbard is a Director based in TrailRunner’s Truckee, CA office. She advises clients on a wide range of matters, including executive positioning, crisis preparedness and response, product launches, internal communications, and reputation management. Jen has 20 years of experience in financial services and 12 years in corporate communications. She has worked with clients across a broad spectrum of industries, helping them elevate their industry presence and navigate complex matters, such as business restructuring, acquisitions, housing affordability, social responsibility, and mortgage-backed securities.

Prior to joining TrailRunner, Jen served as a senior communications advisor working for Wells Fargo’s Commercial Banking division, where she provided internal communications and media relations support for high producing businesses across 19 specialty industries. Jen has also provided communications counsel to leaders of Wells Fargo’s Commercial Real Estate, Equipment Finance, Corporate Trust Services, and Small Business divisions.

Jen holds a degree from California State University, Sacramento (BA, Business and Strategic Management). She lives in Lake Tahoe, CA and enjoys skiing, hiking, cycling, and exploring the outdoors through all the seasons in beautiful Lake Tahoe.