Merge Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Merge has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational coordination, marketing, revenue generation, and creative direction.

Focused on delivering integrated marketing and technology solutions, Merge empowers brands through experience design, analytics, and PR to drive meaningful market impact and long-term growth.

Leadership Roles at Merge

  • Chief Executive Officer - Chen Wenyuan
  • Chief Financial Officer - Cassandra Hudson
  • President & Chief Creative Officer - Kevin Houlihan
  • President & Chief Creative Officer - Maite D'Amico
  • Chief of Staff - Elizabeth Darden
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Paul Buranosky
  • Chief Revenue Officer - Heidi West
  • Chen Wenyuan - Chief Executive Officer

    Chen Wenyuan, the Chief Executive Officer at Merge, directs the overarching strategic vision and corporate development initiatives. Overseeing the integration of creative, marketing, and technology services, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment across all departments to maintain a competitive edge in the industry. This leadership role involves fostering innovation in experience design and analytics to meet evolving client needs. By optimizing operational efficiency, Chen Wenyuan directly impacts the company's ability to scale across North American markets. The Chief Executive Officer maintains close collaboration with the Board to secure sustainable growth and long-term value creation. Through rigorous oversight of the firm's integrated marketing and PR capabilities, the Chief Executive Officer drives the organization toward achieving its mission of delivering high-impact, technology-driven solutions for diverse global clients.

    Cassandra Hudson - Chief Financial Officer

    Cassandra Hudson, the Chief Financial Officer at Merge, manages all fiscal operations, capital allocation, and financial reporting processes. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that investments in technology platform development and media planning align with corporate profitability targets. This leadership role involves rigorous analysis of market trends to support strategic decision-making across the firm. By implementing robust financial controls, Cassandra Hudson directly impacts the company's capacity for expansion and resource optimization. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with other C-suite leaders to evaluate the ROI of integrated marketing campaigns and experience design projects. Through disciplined management of the firm's assets, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary capital to fuel ongoing innovation and maintain a strong market position within the competitive landscape of creative and technology services.
    Cassandra Hudson

    Kevin Houlihan - President & Chief Creative Officer

    Kevin Houlihan, the President & Chief Creative Officer at Merge, leads the creative vision and design philosophy for all client projects. Overseeing the creative department, the President & Chief Creative Officer ensures that every experience design and integrated marketing campaign maintains the highest standards of aesthetic and functional excellence. This leadership role involves mentoring creative talent and fostering a culture of innovation within the firm. By pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling and user experience, Kevin Houlihan directly impacts the company's ability to deliver transformative results for clients. The President & Chief Creative Officer collaborates with the technology and analytics teams to ensure that creative concepts are grounded in data and technical feasibility. Through the pursuit of creative distinction, the President & Chief Creative Officer elevates the firm's reputation for delivering cutting-edge, impactful brand experiences.

    Maite D'Amico - President & Chief Creative Officer

    Maite D'Amico, the President & Chief Creative Officer at Merge, directs the strategic development of brand narratives and multi-channel content strategies. Overseeing the integration of PR and media planning, the President & Chief Creative Officer ensures that creative outputs align with the broader business objectives of the firm's clients. This leadership role involves refining the creative process to improve efficiency and output quality across all service lines. By championing innovative design solutions, Maite D'Amico directly impacts the company's success in delivering cohesive and engaging brand experiences. The President & Chief Creative Officer works in tandem with the analytics team to measure the effectiveness of creative campaigns and optimize future performance. Through the application of strategic design thinking, the President & Chief Creative Officer strengthens the firm's market position and ensures the delivery of high-value, creative solutions.

    Elizabeth Darden - Chief of Staff

    Elizabeth Darden, the Chief of Staff at Merge, coordinates cross-functional workflows and facilitates communication between executive leadership and internal teams. Overseeing the execution of strategic priorities, the Chief of Staff ensures that organizational goals regarding experience design and technology development remain on schedule. This leadership role involves streamlining operational processes to enhance productivity across the firm's various departments. By managing high-level projects and internal initiatives, Elizabeth Darden directly impacts the efficiency of the company's integrated marketing and PR efforts. The Chief of Staff acts as a primary liaison for the executive team, ensuring that all business units operate in harmony with the overarching corporate mission. Through meticulous planning and resource management, the Chief of Staff supports the organization in maintaining its reputation for excellence in creative and analytical service delivery.

    Paul Buranosky - Chief Marketing Officer

    Paul Buranosky, the Chief Marketing Officer at Merge, architects the firm's brand identity and external communication strategies. Overseeing the development of integrated marketing campaigns, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the company's creative and PR services resonate with target audiences across diverse industries. This leadership role involves leveraging analytics and insights to refine messaging and enhance client engagement. By driving brand awareness and market positioning, Paul Buranosky directly impacts the company's ability to attract and retain high-value partnerships. The Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with the technology and design teams to showcase the firm's unique capabilities in experience design and media planning. Through the implementation of data-driven marketing initiatives, the Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the company's presence in the marketplace and supports the achievement of long-term growth objectives.
    Paul Buranosky

    Heidi West - Chief Revenue Officer

    Heidi West, the Chief Revenue Officer at Merge, directs all sales strategies, business development efforts, and client acquisition pipelines. Overseeing the expansion of the firm's client base, the Chief Revenue Officer ensures that revenue targets are met through the effective promotion of experience design, analytics, and technology services. This leadership role involves identifying new market opportunities and cultivating long-term relationships with key stakeholders. By optimizing the sales funnel and refining service offerings, Heidi West directly impacts the company's financial performance and market share. The Chief Revenue Officer works closely with the creative and media planning teams to tailor solutions that address specific client challenges. Through the strategic alignment of sales and service delivery, the Chief Revenue Officer drives consistent revenue growth and reinforces the company's status as a leader in integrated marketing and technology solutions.
    Heidi West

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Merge Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Merge?
    Merge is led by Chen Wenyuan (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Cassandra Hudson (Chief Financial Officer) and Kevin Houlihan (President & Chief Creative Officer).
    Who is part of Merge’s executive team?
    The executive team of Merge includes leaders such as Chen Wenyuan (Chief Executive Officer), Cassandra Hudson (Chief Financial Officer), Kevin Houlihan (President & Chief Creative Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Merge have?
    Merge has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Merge’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Merge includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President & Chief Creative Officer, President & Chief Creative Officer, Chief of Staff.