Beehive Strategic Communication Announces Business Transition

St. Paul, Minn., April 15, 2026 — Beehive Strategic Communication today announced company Founder and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Hannum will transition executive leadership and ownership to long-time partners Nicki Gibbs, Ayme Zemke and Rebecca Martin beginning mid-year.

“The four of us have worked together building Beehive for more than 20 years,” Hannum said. “Transitioning the agency’s future to these three extraordinary women leaders is a dream come true and will ensure stability and continuity for our clients, team and business. The business will continue as an independent, women-owned, women-led Certified B Corporation.”

Gibbs, who is currently chief strategy officer, will step into the role of president beginning July 1. She will lead the agency’s business, growth and service strategies. She will continue to oversee a client portfolio that includes brands in health care, professional services and higher education. Gibbs is a Certified PROSCI change management practitioner and a member of the Minnesota Change Management Network. She has 30 years of strategic communication, branding and change management experience, including work for 3M, United Healthcare, Legrand, University of Minnesota and Rasmussen University.

Zemke will continue as chief client officer, leading delivery of Beehive’s client experience and providing strategic communication and crisis expertise to clients. Zemke has been recognized by PR News as a Top PR Professional and PR Team Leader. She is an accredited member of the Public Relations Council of America and a certified crisis expert with 30 years of experience guiding organizations and executives across health care, renewable energy, environmental services, government and tribal nations, including work for Hartford HealthCare, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Ulteig, GEHA and Dairy Queen.

Martin has been promoted to chief people & impact officer and will continue to lead the agency’s award-winning culture and social impact initiatives. She is a human resources and talent development leader with 25 years of experience in the public relations and communications industry. She leads Beehive’s Certified B Corporation integration and is a founding member of the Minnesota Certified B Corp group. Martin has led several Minnesota Public Relations Society of America and Minnesota Women in Marketing & Communication committees over her career. She was recognized in 2019 with a Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal Best Places to Work MVP Award.

“We are inspired to steward an agency we helped build into its next chapter. The trust our leadership team shares is grounded in a shared purpose and the common values we’ve developed over two decades,” Gibbs said. “We look forward to growth and continued success for our clients and our team at this exciting time in our business and the communication industry.”

Hannum will continue to serve as founder and board chair throughout the ownership transition.

Photo caption, left to right: Ayme Zemke, Rebecca Martin, Lisa Hannum, Nicki Gibbs