Starcom MediaVest has promoted Alexandra Panousis to CEO of the company in Canada.

She takes over from Bruce Neve, who has left the agency to pursue other interests, according to a release.

Panousis, who has been the president of Starcom for the past five years, brings nearly 20 years of media experience with her to the role.

Prior to her role as Starcom president, Panousis served as the SVP and group media director.

In a note on the move, Iain Jacob, president EMEA at Starcom MediaVest called Panousis an “agent of positive change,” noting “I cannot think of a better person to build on the momentum that Bruce has started.”

Neve had been CEO at Starcom MediaVest since 2011, previously working as president of MEC for over 13 years.

Jacob thanked Neve for his leadership at the agency, saying the agency had made “significant gains in the digital space” during his tenure as CEO.

He was also the chair of the CMDC. Because membership in the industry organization is tied to agency affiliation, past chair Penny Stevens, president at Media Experts, will be taking over as chair of the CMDC until the end of the organization’s fiscal year in August.

“Bruce is one of the most universally liked people in our industry, and has been a major contributor to the strategic focus of the CMDC in his role as an executive member for five years,” said Janet Callaghan, president of the CMDC. “We will miss Bruce who has helped shape our agenda for the CMDC and upcoming conference Vision 20/20 May 5th.”

This story was updated at 10 a.m. on April 24.