Hi Everyone,
I’m writing this fresh from Toronto, where nearly 1,000 communicators from around the world gathered for IABC World Conference recently — and where, for the first time, I was representing EMENA as your incoming Chair!
I’m honoured to be stepping into this role and, before I say anything else, I want to take a moment to thank Simon Cavendish, SCMP® for everything he has done for IABC in EMENA over the past year. Simon’s energy, warmth, and vision have shaped an outstanding board year and I for one am incredibly grateful that he’ll continue to be part of the team as Past Chair.
I’m also delighted to introduce the incoming EMENA 2026/27 Board, elected by our members across the Region and confirmed at our Annual General Meeting on 10 June.
The new Board is as follows:
- Vice-Chair – Rachael Pearson
- Past Chair – Simon Cavendish
- Secretary/Treasurer – Shan Chatoo
- Board Directors:
- Sharon O’Dea (Professional Development)
- Eduvie Martin (Communities)
- Lamar Williams (Membership)
- Ruxandra-Laura Bosilca (Sponsorship & Partnerships)
- Fady Ramzy (Recognition)
- Olha Boiko (Communications).
They’re all incredibly talented individuals, and I have high hopes for what we can achieve as a team. Watch this space for more from all of them in the months ahead.
World Conference itself was every bit as diverse and thought-provoking as I’ve come to expect from attending over the past few years: bold thinking, generous conversations, and a real sense that what we do as communicators genuinely matters. Co-hosting the EMENA Region Reception and also welcoming our colleagues from APAC and Africa was a particular highlight and a reminder of just how much strength there is in this global community. Next year’s World Conference will be taking place in Calgary, Canada, from 13 June to 15 June, and I’d encourage you to put it firmly in the diary.
Wishing you a great month ahead.
Kathryn Kneller, SCMP
Chair, IABC EMENA