The International Executive Board, or IEB, is the governing body of IABC and is accountable to its members. The IEB shall have supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of the association; actively pursue the association’s purpose; determine its policy within the limits of the law, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation; uphold the IABC Code of Ethics for Professional Communicators; and supervise disbursement of funds. The IEB develops the strategic plan and direction for the association under the guidance of the Association Bylaws approved by the IABC membership. The IEB serves as the Board of Trustees for the IABC Foundation.
In addition to learning more information about each member of the 2023-2024 IEB below, we asked them to share their insight on the following question: “If you could send a message to the organizational leaders around the world about the importance and impact of communication professionals, what would you say?” Please see their responses below their bio.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, MC – Chair | Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, MC, is Founder & CEO of The Ideas Collective Inc., an independent consulting firm bringing brand purpose to life through content, customers and culture. She has worked in corporate and agency roles for almost 20 years, connecting the dots between brand, marketing and communications to drive business objectives. She is a long-time IABC volunteer and is a regular speaker at industry conferences. She has won several IABC Gold Quill awards for brand development, content marketing, publications and internal communications, including two Gold Quill “Best of the Best” awards for employee engagement and COVID-19 response management and communications. View Maliha’s LinkedIn profile .
“As strategic advisors to the business, communication professionals help communicate and bring to life an organization’s purpose, vision and values. This in turn creates opportunities to engage stakeholders, drive awareness and protect brand reputation while delivering business impact.”
Term End Date: June 2025
Kamyar Naficy – Vice Chair | Kamyar Naficy is the founder and principal of KNECTCOMMS, a strategic communications consultancy that specialises in financial services and fintech. With over 20 years of professional experience, Kamyar advises businesses and organisations in Europe, the US and the Middle East on all aspects of corporate, financial and marketing communications. Prior to establishing his consultancy, Kamyar held senior communications positions at JP Morgan, London Stock Exchange Group and UniCredit. Earlier in his career, he worked in investment banking and management consulting. He holds a BA from the London School of Economics and a MPhil in Management from Cambridge University. View Kamyar’s LinkedIn profile.
“High-quality communication is essential for organisations to build their brand, manage their reputation and grow their business, and to ultimately achieve a unique and positive impact on society.”
Term End Date: June 2026
Alain Legault, MA , SCMP– Past Chair | Alain Legault, MA, SCMP, is the director of corporate communication and public relation at the Société de transport de Montréal and has been working for over 20 years in strategic positions with major trade union, city administration and public organizations. The recipient of the IABC Chair’s Award in 2019, Legault has a strong history of leadership and engagement in IABC, most recently as the chair of the IABC 50th Anniversary Task Force. On the chapter and region level, he has served on both the Montreal chapter and Canada East Region boards. A graduate of McGill University in political science and history, Legault also hold a master’s degree in communication from UQAM. View Alain’s LinkedIn profile and follower him on Twitter @IcareMtl.
“Sans relâche, il nous faut exceller. Sans relâche, il nous faut nous dépasser. Sans relâche, nous devons être à l’avant-garde. Nous sommes indispensables pour le futur de notre organisation!”
Term End Date: June 2024
Ann-Marie Blake, Chart.PR, MCIPR – Treasurer & Secretary | Ann-Marie Blake, Chart.PR, is co-Founder of True, a boutique employee engagement and communication consultancy. Ann-Marie has over 25 years’ experience of working globally in senior corporate roles spanning a range of disciplines including public relations, marketing, corporate affairs, change and internal communications. In addition to her day to day work, she teaches the PRCA Introduction to PR and Strategic Communications Planning courses. Blake is a Chartered PR Practitioner and currently is current Chair of the EMENA Blue Ribbon Panel for the IABC Gold Quill Awards and currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer on the International Executive Board of the IABC. She has been an IABC member since 2012.
Term End Date: June 2024
John Harris – Director | John Harris is a communications consultant in Austin, Texas, working since 1991 in the public and private sectors for the agency and corporate sides. An IABC member since 2004, he held leadership positions at the chapter and region levels, and was IABC Region Leader of the Year as Southern Region chair for 2022. Earlier he was president of the Houston and Austin chapters. As a volunteer, John helps lead an Austin organization that assists people experiencing homelessness or needing financial help. Before returning to Austin, he was a senior VP at Houston First, serving the city’s convention and entertainment facilities. He started in newspapers and holds a bachelor of journalism degree from The University of Texas.
Term End Date: June 2026
Julie Ludwig, ABC, SCMP – Executive Director at Large | A business communicator with more than 20 years of experience producing and implementing successful marketing and communications strategies for professional services industries, Julie Ludwig, ABC, SCMP, is an experienced writer on marketing communication, legal, forensic accounting and technology topics. She currently serves as a senior marketing manager for Baker Tilly US, a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm. Ludwig’s past work experience includes her work as the global communications manager for RGL Forensics and senior account executive and operations consultant with meme, inc. in Denver, Colorado. Ludwig first joined IABC in May 2006 and has since served the association in many leadership roles at the chapter and region level, including president of the Colorado chapter and chair of the Southern Region. At the international level, she has served on IABC committees for finance, ethics, certification and audit and risk. View Julie’s LinkedIn profile.
“As they say, ‘You can’t not communicate’. Everything we do is communication, but not all communication is done well. It is vital to have professional communications at the heart of every organization, and having communication professionals in your organization greatly aids in that mission. There is a direct line that can be drawn from your communication to your business results. Communication professionals are the ones who help us have the conversations we need to have for our organizations.”
Term End Date: June 2024
Anuja Kale Agarwal – Director | Anuja is an accomplished global communications professional, with over 30 years of experience in communications, in the insurance, banking, financial and professional services industry in Asia, US and Canada. She is currently the National Communications Director at PwC Canada. Anuja is also actively engaged in CSR and DEI initiatives, and has served on several Diversity and Inclusion Councils. She is currently serving as the Chair of the IABC Global DEI Committee, and is the Co-chair of the DEIB Special Interest Group, IABC. In her free time, Anuja coaches and mentors graduate students and young executives on building their personal brand and executive presence. She is also a guest speaker and writer on topics such as leadership communication and engagement. She holds an MBA in Marketing and has a Bachelor of Commerce, with a specialization in Advanced Accounting and Auditing.
Term End Date: June 2026
Ed Kamrin, SCMP – Director | Based in San Francisco, Ed has more than 25 years of communications experience. He heads a consulting agency specializing in change communications, corporate social impact, and sustainability reporting services for large and mid-sized organizations. An IABC member since 2007, Ed has served the organization in many key roles, including chapter president, region chair, and chair of the Gold Quill Awards. After graduating with high honors from Swarthmore College, Ed worked in Finland for eight years, where he completed postgrad studies at the University of Helsinki. View his LinkedIn profile.
“Communications professionals are your advisors and partners in solving problems, engaging audiences, and helping create a better, more equitable world. We bring a unique combination of business acumen, empathy, and innovation to our work. In an environment where communications channels are multiplying, and attention is scarce, we craft stories and messages that cut through the noise and achieve results. We don’t only create content – we also listen deeply and foster channels for dialogue. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved as a profession and know the best is yet to come.”
Term End Date: June 2025
Cyrus Mavalwala, ABC, MC – Director | Cyrus Mavalwala, ABC, MC is a sought-after social media strategist, trainer and keynote speaker who helps B2B organizations, municipalities and associations achieve better business outcomes. He is the 60th person in Canada to have been awarded IABC Canada’s highest honour and lifetime achievement designation, Master Communicator.
Cyrus is a founding course developer of the Digital Strategy and Communications Management Certificate at the University of Toronto and conducts corporate training sessions globally. In 2002, Cyrus founded Advantis Communications, IABC/Toronto’s 2023 Boutique Agency of the Year. Advantis builds clients’ in-house digital communication and marketing capacity through expert consulting and training. View Cyrus' LinkedIn profile.
Term End Date: June 2024
Wendy Snyder – Director | A communication executive with more than 25 years’ experience working around the world at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of Defense, Wendy retired from the U.S. Navy in March, 2022. Wendy has continued to utilize her communication expertise as a business and leadership consultant. Additionally, she has pursued her passion for the fitness and health industry by receiving certifications as a personal trainer and nutrition coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Wendy served as the communications director on IABC’s EMENA Region board during her last Navy assignment as the chief of public affairs for U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Wendy is completing her third year as a member of IABC’s international executive board. View Wendy's’s LinkedIn profile.
“Deliberate and effective communication is the key to maintaining trust and credibility with stakeholders and is an essential element for the success of any organization.”
Term End Date: June 2024
Matt Tidwell Ph.D. – Director | Matt is assistant dean for graduate and professional studies at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. He is also a faculty lecturer and the program director for the Integrated Marketing Communications graduate degree program at the KU Edwards Campus. Matt is an experienced marketing communications professional with more than 25 years of industry experience working in health care, energy and technology companies. In 2018, Matt received the Arthur Lowell “Communicator of the Year” award from the Kansas City Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). View Matt's LinkedIn Profile.
Term End Date: June 2025
Jonathan Tremblay, CMP – Director | Living in Regina, Saskatchewan, Jonathan Tremblay is director of business development for Commissionaires in his Canadian province. Commissionaires is the only non-profit in the North American security industry and the leading employer of law enforcement and military veterans in Canada. Previously, Jonathan led communications and marketing teams in the public sector and worked as a journalist for a variety of North American outlets including the History News Network, Radio Canada and Canadian Sailings Magazine. Tremblay served as chair of IABC’s Canada West Region (2017–2020), and president of IABC Regina (2014–2017). He also chaired the Advisory Council of the Royal Roads University School of Communication and Culture (2017–2020) and has been on the International Executive Board since 2020. Tremblay is a proud graduate of Laval University and Royal Roads University and is currently completing a Master’s in Business Administration, with a focus on Communications, at the latter. Championing the communications profession and the value we add to business is his passion.
“You have experts managing all variables of your business, including the communicators managing the human variables that contribute to your business objectives: employee engagement, customer behaviours, and your social license to operate. Using your communicators to their full, strategic potential is the key to matching and surpassing your competitors.”
Term End Date: June 2024
Staff Liaison:
Paige Schafer, Membership and Operations Coordinator