Clear Peak Communications

Renee V. H. Simons launched her marketing consultancy, Harley Simons Group, focusing on building stronger, more effective marketing and organizational partnerships, improving internal communication approaches and minimizing unintended, but negative downstream impacts.

Renee was a Managing Director, at JP Morgan Chase, and directed the worldwide communications and Change Management function in technology through two mergers and evolving outsourcing models. Prior to this position, as Vice President, Renee was responsible for advertising in the Global Investment Banking business, introducing a more systemized planning and budgeting process. Renee also worked for Philip Morris USA and Philip Morris Management Corp in various brand building, marketing and sales management positions. Renee marketed brands and oversaw marketing processes at The Seven-Up Company, James River Co.’s Dixie/Northern Products and the General Foods Corporation.

Renee has a distinguished career directing organizations through major strategic and process changes within and for Fortune 500 companies and brands including:

• Chase/JP Morgan/ Bank One mergers working with IBM, TPI and McKinsey; Transitioned Marketing and Communications from a new, centralized function to In/Outsourcing merger models.
• Led change management process enabling JP Morgan Chase to outsource 4,000 technology employees to IBM without negative impact on morale or performance. Cited as “best practice” by TPI’s national outsourcing panel and was invited to present at their industry conference.
• At JP Morgan Chase, Renee worked on diversity steering committees and fielded diversity related research to positively impact company direction.
• Developed a comprehensive process restructuring of Philip Morris cross functional, marketing planning and execution to align Marketing and Sales into a cohesive, more efficient partnership. Led Sales Force Automation Project and training which significantly improved data quality, sales management effectiveness and local area decision making across multiple billion dollar brands.

Renee was listed as one of "21 Women of Power and Influence" by Black Enterprise magazine. She is the recipient of the YMCA "Black Achievers in Industry" Award, the "Young Women of America" Achievement Award as well as a recipient of volunteer/recognition awards from organizations such as Westchester ARC and Monroe College.

Renee serves as the Chair and Past President of the Board of Directors of THE ADVERTISING CLUB. She served as a member and Vice Chair on the Board of Directors at Covenant House New York. Renee is a volunteer member of not-for-profit organizations and is President of the Greater Hudson Valley Chapter of The Links Inc., an international women’s organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in diverse communities through volunteerism and community service.

Renee received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College in Urban Affairs, a Master of Science degree in Education Planning from the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University and an MBA degree from the Columbia Business School in Marketing/General Management.