Above+Beyond Hires Dena Walker as Chief Strategy Officer

(from left to right: Zaid Al-Zaidy, Dominic Goldman, Laura Graham, Jonny Ray, Dena Walker)

Independent creative agency Above+Beyond has announced its new leadership team following the promotion of internal talent, as well as the senior hire of Dena Walker, currently global strategy director at BBDO New York, as its new chief strategy officer. 

The new-look leadership team comprises promotions of Laura Graham to the role of chief production officer, working alongside Dena, and Jonny Ray to managing director. They join chief creative officer Dominic Goldman, with Zaid Al-Zaidy remaining as Above+Beyond Group CEO. 

Laura Graham joined the agency in 2021 and in that time she has transformed the agency’s production capabilities, and launched The Beyond Collective’s integrated production and design studio, Collective Studios. Graham was also instrumental in several new client wins including: Netflix, Olivia Burton, and Hardy’s.  

Jonny Ray has headed up Above+Beyond’s account management team for the past five years. In his new role as managing director, Ray will be responsible for the agency’s day-to-day leadership, and its clients including: Amazon, Alzheimer’s Research UK, BoyleSports, Premier Foods, and Akzo Nobel. 

Dena Walker will join Above+Beyond as chief strategy officer later this summer. In this role, Walker will lead strategy across both existing clients and new business. She previously held positions at BBDO Dublin - for nine years - and DentsuX in Singapore. 

Commenting on her appointment, Dena Walker said, “Joining Above+Beyond at such a dynamic point in its history is really exciting. Independent, integrated and ambitious, what more could you want in an agency? I can’t wait to start and help drive further growth for the business.”

Zaid Al-Zaidy, group CEO, Above+Beyond added, “I’m delighted to present this formidable new leadership team, comprising the promotion of some of the agency’s most outstanding talent, alongside welcoming Dena Walker, whose strong strategic prowess will be an enviable asset. Congratulations to Laura Graham and Jonny Ray for such well-deserved promotions. I’m looking forward to seeing them take the agency to the next level..”