Two Things Hired Katie Birkel as Head of Partnerships
The New York-based business transformation studio has appointed Birkel to lead its partnership initiatives.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
Two Things has hired Katie Birkel to serve as the firm's head of partnerships. In this role, she will oversee strategy across business development, marketing, content, and communications.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a strategic step for the firm as it continues to grow its internal leadership team. Birkel will be responsible for designing systems to identify and secure new client engagements.
Founded in 2018, the studio has pursued a series of senior appointments over the past 18 months to bolster its leadership team. The firm has previously collaborated with major brands including Unity, The North Face, and Timberland.
The players
Katie Birkel
She has been appointed as the head of partnerships at the New York-based business transformation studio Two Things.
Two Things
This is a business transformation studio founded in 2018 by Nilesh Ashra and Paulo Ribeiro.
Nilesh Ashra
He is one of the co-founders of the New York-based business transformation studio Two Things.
Paulo Ribeiro
He is one of the co-founders of the New York-based business transformation studio Two Things.
The details
Birkel will focus on optimizing how the firm identifies and initiates relationships with new clients. Her duties encompass high-level planning across marketing and business development channels to sustain the firm's growth.
Timeline
Two Things was founded in 2018.
Ryan Kee joined to lead the retail practice in June 2026.
The hire of Katie Birkel was announced on September 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
The firm is positioning itself within the competitive landscape of business transformation studios by steadily scaling its leadership bench. This move mirrors an industry-wide trend of boutique agencies strengthening their business development capabilities to vie for major enterprise clients.
The expansion of the firm's leadership team may lead to more consistent service offerings and a broader range of brand collaborations for its clients. Customers associated with the firm's portfolio can expect refined outreach and partnership strategies in the coming months.
The takeaway
Strategic hiring of key personnel remains a primary method for creative agencies to signal stability and growth potential to the market. Investing in systems for client acquisition helps firms maintain a consistent pipeline in a competitive consulting landscape.
Further reading
For more news on leadership changes in the region, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MediaPost.
