Global PR leader Porter Novelli will make big changes in the New Year: Parent company Diversified Agency Services (DAS) just announced that Karen Van Bergen will serve as CEO, effective January 1^st, 2013.

The position had been filled on an interim basis over the past six months by Michael Ramah, who will continue to serve as a member of Van Bergen’s New York-based executive committee.

Van Bergen moves into her new position as a veteran highly regarded by clients and peers within the industry. DAS president and CEO Dale Adams said: “Her innovative leadership style is one that prizes collaboration above all else, empowering teams to draw from the best possible resources – regardless of level or location – to deliver creative, business-building programs for clients.”

Just over a year ago, Van Bergen joined the agency as senior partner and managing director. Prior to accepting that role, Van Bergen spent three years working in an Amsterdam-based position as senior vice president/senior partner at Fleishmann-Hillard and global leader for OneVoice, an integrated offering serving Phillips Electronics under the Omnicom umbrella.

In other Porter Novelli news, Adam Snyder will join the firm as vice president of strategic planning. Snyder previously worked as digital and social strategy lead at Havas Worldwide.