Committees and Task Forces

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IABC's international committees are a critical component of our governance structure. International committees and task forces help develop programs, represent members in decision-making and help further the goals of the board and the association at large. Serving on an IABC international committee is also a wonderful opportunity to gain leadership experience, refine skills and work hands-on with leaders around the world.

IABC has two different types of committees: board committees and programmatic committees. While all committees report to the international executive board (IEB) and work in alignment with the board approved strategy and budget, there is a difference. Board committees work as an extension of the IEB and carry out the work of the board. Some of these committees are chaired by a director from the board. Programmatic committees work closely with staff to develop programs, events, and initiatives that enhance value for members and the broader IABC community.

Click on a link below to see the current IABC volunteers who are giving their time to further the IABC mission.

Get Involved

The IABC Committee Nominations are closed.

The Nominating Committee appreciates everyone who applied for the volunteer leaders to serve on international committees and task forces. Members must be in good standing with IABC to serve on a committee. Applications to serve for the 2025-2026 term are for a 12-month period (July 2025 to June 2026), unless otherwise specified. View the International Committee Candidate Packet for full details about the committee and nomination process. All applicants will be notified of the final decisions in late June 2025.

Briefing Packet

IABC Board Committees

Ethics Committee

The IABC Ethics Committee is responsible for input to the IABC International Executive Board (IEB) on policy, standards, strategic development, education and monitoring in relation to ethical matters and upholding the IABC Code of Ethics.

Andrew Morrison, SCMP | Chair
Judy Dobbs | Vice Chair
Malar Ramalingam | Past Chair
Pamela Gole, SCMP | Committee Member
Jayanti Menches, SCMP | Committee Member
Simon Murphy | Committee Member

Finance Committee

The committee's role is to review regular financial results: oversee preparation of an operating budget for the fiscal year adopted by the executive board; to annually review IABC's policy on reserves.

Ed Kamrin | IEB Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
Kamyar Naficy | IEB Chair
Anuja Kale-Agarwal | IEB Vice Chair
Alexia Malamis - Senior Finance Manager | Staff Liaison
Linda Andross, ABC, MC | Canada East Region Representative
Amanda Hamilton-Attwell ABC, CPRP, IABC Fellow | Africa Region Representative
Tammy Nienaber | United States Region Representative
Sam Sinclair | APAC Region Representative
Jodi Tauber, BCom | Canada West Region Representative
Gloria Walker, ABC, FRSA, MPRCA, MCIPR | EMENA Region Representative

Audit and Risk Committee

The committee's role is to act on behalf of the International Executive Board (IEB) to bring objective oversight to material aspects of the association's financial reporting, internal controls and external financial audit and identification, evaluation and (where relevant) mitigation of risks, by management, the IEB and its committees.

John Harris | Chair
Alexia Malamis - Senior Finance Manager | Staff Liaison
Nancy Arab, APR, ABC, FCPRS, CMP, SCMP
Mark Evans, SCMP

Programmic Committees

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development (PD) Committee oversees IABC's professional development platforms and sets strategy with regard to IABC's educational offerings to members and non-members. The committee ensures that IABC's offerings are consistent and high-quality across platforms.

Kelli Cargile Cook | Chair
Donna Itzoe | Past Chair
Peter Finn | IEB Liaison
Kristin Frankiewicz - Editorial Manager | Staff Liaison
Joe Bobbey
Christine Breet, SCMP
Melissa Corns
Zameena Dadani, MPP
Erin Baxter Melo
Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku
Kim Strickland

Awards Committee

The IABC Awards Committee provides leadership and vision for the IABC Gold Quill Awards. It is responsible for ensuring that the Gold Quill Awards program is the leading awards program for business communicators, that chapters and regions have the information they need to align with the Gold Quill standards and processes and appropriate governance and strategic documentation are in place.

Anthea Cudworth, ABC | Chair
Mandy Gibson | Vice Chair
Sylvia Link, MC, ABC, APR | Past Chair
Paige Schafer - Membership and Operations Coordinator | Staff Liaison
Paula Bernardino, MCM, CSR-P, SCMP
Adrienne Jackson, ABC
Theresa Lee
Cynthia Schmieg, SCMP, IABC Fellow

Membership Committee

The purpose of the IABC Membership Committee is to advance membership retention and growth through the development of strategies that enhance the member value proposition and benefits for IABC members.

Kamyar Naficy | Chair
Opeyemi "Yemi" Adeyemi, FNIPR, CMC
Deanna Biros
Kristie King, SCMP
Kaleigh Maclaren, CMP
Ross Monaghan
Wendy Snyder
Cynthia South
Wendy Thatcher, SCMP
Monique Zytnik

Fellows Committee

The Fellows Committee is a regular standing committee of the Board responsible for evaluating annual nominations and making recommendations to the IABC Executive Board (IEB) for new IABC Fellows each year.

Jane Mitchell, FRSA, IABC Fellow | Chair
Rajeev Kumar, ABC, IABC Fellow | Vice Chair
Martha Muzychka, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow | Past Chair
Kara Laue - Membership and Operations Associate | Staff Liaison
Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, MC | IEB Liaison

Fellows Selection Sub-Committee

Dianne Chase
Adam Fuss
Russell Grossman, DipPR, ABC, FRSA, FCIPR, FCIM, IABC Fellow
Juli Holloway, SCMP, IABC Fellow

Fellows Engagement Sub-Committee

John Clemons, ABC, APR, M.S., IABC Fellow
Cynthia Schmieg, SCMP, IABC Fellow
Mark Schumann, ABC, IABC Fellow

Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC)

The GCCC, an independent initiative created by IABC, offers certification at various levels and promotes a common, global understanding of what constitutes professionalism and competence in communication.

Ginger Homan, ABC, SCMP, IABC Fellow | Chair
Bonnie Caver, SCMP | Vice Chair
Sharon Hunter, SCMP | Immediate Past Chair
Julie Ludwig, ABC, SCMP | Secretary-Treasurer
Peter Finn | IEB Liaison
Yenny Caceres - Certification Manager | Staff Liaison
Edward Dixon, SCMP
Deb Hileman, SCMP
Shel Holtz, SCMP
Michael Nord, SCMP
André Oberholzer, SCMP

Program Advisory Committee

The Program Advisory Committee (PAC) works collaboratively with staff to ensure that IABC World Conference is a high-value professional development experience aligned to the needs of the global profession.

Mark Evans, SCMP | Chair
Arnab Roy | Vice Chair
Kamyar Naficy | IEB Liaison
Emily Uligian - Education Manager | Staff Liaison
Jacqui d'Eon | Member
Pam Edwards | Member
Mary Francis | Member
Gurminder Marwaha | Member
Heather Natal, CMP | Member
Scott Parker | Member
Marie Soleil Pepin, MBA, SCMP, MC | Member
Lauren Westbrook, CMP | Member
Christal Austin, PG. Dip., B.Sc., IMC, CMP | Evaluator
Justine Costigan, SCMP | Evaluator
Kimberly George | Evaluator
Karen Matthews | Evaluator
Kari McLean | Evaluator
Natalie Pastuszak | Evaluator
Daniel Paulling, MA, CMP | Evaluator
Lydia Peddicord, MA, SCMP | Evaluator
Elizabeth Sargis, MBA | Evaluator
Jennifer Wah | Evaluator
Dierdra Yates | Evaluator

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is tasked to develop recommendations for how to integrate DE&I into the fabric of our organization and culture.

Timothy Chan | Chair
Marilyn Settell, CMP, PMP, MAM | Vice Chair
Matisse Hamel-Nelis, ADS, CPACC | Past Chair
James Patock - Membership and Operations Associate | Staff Liaison
Adina Chirita, CMP, CRAE
Dana Maxwell
Melika Shahroodi, MBA
Caterina Valentino, PhD, MBA, MPA(HSM),CHE,FACHE

Task Forces & Short-Term Committees

Foundation Grant Selection Task Force

The IABC Foundation Grant Selection Task Force is a time-limited action team who conducts the evaluation, selection and recommendation of all IABC Foundation grants or scholarships. All recommendations are sent from the task force to the Foundation Trustees for final approval.

Chris Saxby | Chair
Kara Laue - Membership and Operations Associate | Staff Liaison
Melynda Conner, Ph.D.
Andre Oberholzer, SCMP
Rhonda Sciarra, SCMP
Heather Young

Commercial Strategy Task Force

Karen Matthews
Anuja Kale-Agarwal
Brandon Babcock
Richard Kies, ABC, SCMP
Matt Tidwell, PhD