Alan VanderMolen
Alan VanderMolen
President & CEO, Global Practices and Diversified Insights Businesses, Edelman

Mr. VanderMolen is responsible for the development of the firm's knowledge-based businesses and the development and application of intellectual capital. In his role, he oversees the firm's global practices (consumer, corporate, health, public affairs, crisis, technology, sustainability, and employee engagement), research firm (StrategyOne), and consulting businesses (including Edelman Consulting and First & 42nd). Included in the firm's intellectual capital, under his direction, are the Edelman Trust Barometer, goodpurpose™, and Edelman Health Barometer.

From 2002 to 2009, Mr. VanderMolen was the president for Edelman Asia Pacific. In that role, he more than quadrupled the firm's business and drove market entry into Japan, India, and Indonesia and acquired Pegasus Communications, Edelman’s sister firm in China. He also initiated the development of significant proprietary intellectual capital in the areas of stakeholder relations, corporate trust, corporate social responsibility, and social media. He has worked extensively with high-profile clients such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Johnson & Johnson, and Astra-Zeneca.

Mr. VanderMolen's strong belief in corporate social responsibility influenced the initiation of Edelman's pro bono work in support of tsunami relief for Save the Children, as well as the firm's regional commitment to water access and stewardship with the Planet Water Foundation.

He is based in Chicago, but has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Washington D.C., New York, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Warsaw, and Brussels. He was recognized as PR WEEK’S Asia-Pacific PR Professional of the Year in 2005 and has been a guest lecturer at Ohio State University, the National University of Singapore MBA program, Baptist University of Hong Kong, and China's Renmin University. He appears regularly on CNN, Bloomberg, and CNBC as a commentator on issues related to corporate reputation. He sits on the board of the Planet Water Foundation and is on the curriculum advisory board of Hong Kong Baptist University.

He holds a BA in journalism with a minor in political science from Ohio State University.

How Organizations Should Operate to Recover Trust

The 12th annual “Edelman Trust Barometer” surveyed 30,000 people in 25 countries in October and November 2011 about their trust in government, business, NGOs and media. Alan VanderMolen, President & CEO, Global Practices& Diversified Insights Business, Edelman, presented their findings.
The 12th annual “Edelman Trust Barometer” surveyed 30,000 people in 25 countries in October and November 2011 about their trust in government, business, NGOs and media. Alan VanderMolen, President & CEO, Global Practices& Diversified Insights Business, Edelman, presented their findings.