Gabrielle Gambrell Joins Executive Team At Hachette Book Group

Gabrielle Gambrell has been named the senior vice president and chief communications officer for Hachette Book Group (HBG), one of the world’s largest trade and educational publishers. She will succeed the company’s current SVP of corporate communications, Sophie Cottrell.

In her new role, she will oversee the Hachette Speakers Bureau as well as communications including media relations, branding, and executive communications.

“I’m really excited to be working with Gabrielle,” said David Shelley, HBG CEO, in a statement. “An industry in growth mode, I believe there’s never been a more dynamic or interesting time for book publishing, and Gabrielle will be instrumental in communicating the possibilities to the widest audience.”

She previously worked for Amazon as the head of communications for inclusive experiences and technology, employee experience. She was also the first Black woman, and youngest, to lead marketing and communication efforts at Barnard College of Columbia University.

In a 2018 interview with Her Agenda, she said she discovered her passion for telling stories as editor-in-chief of her high school’s newspaper: “I followed what I was good at. It helped to know what I wanted to do by recognizing my talents early on.”

She received Iona University’s Rising Star Award in 2018 for her early-career achievements and serves as both an entrepreneurship career mentor and advisory board member for Iona University’s Communications, Sports, Entertainment and Media department, as well as a board member for the university.

She also made her mark being a champion for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at CBS Corp., where she was a charter member of the company’s first diversity council. She started her career as a production and talent assistant on ABC’s “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

Venturing into education, she has served as professor of marketing and communications at Columbia University and New York University and has been named to PR Net’s “Marcomms’ Most Influential List,” Color Magazine’s “Power 40 Under 40,” and PRNEWS’ list of Top Women in PR, among others.

The founder of The Gift of Gab, which offers award-winning executive, corporate and brand consulting services, she offered Her Agenda tips for women to successfully brand themselves, urging them to practice telling their unique stories, continue lifelong learning and find new ways to showcase who you are and what you offer as a leader.

“As a storyteller at heart, I look forward to elevating this world-renowned brand and showcasing all that HBG offers,” she said in a statement. “Publishing impacts the entire world, our understanding of information, thoughts, curiosity and imagination.”