Meet The 2026 Class of IABC Fellows: Circle of Fellows #129 and #130

Each year, the Circle of Fellows sets aside its annual discussion of communication issues to welcome IABC's newest Fellows. In 2026, five accomplished communication professionals join the Fellows community, representing Canada, South Africa and Australia.

Part 1

Part 2

Meet the Fellows

Diana Degan, IABC Fellow, ABC, CAAP, BAAJ, is the founder of Diana Degan & Associates. An award-winning communication leader, educator and strategic adviser, Degan has spent more than 35 years strengthening communication practice, elevating professional standards and advancing human-centered communication across Canada and beyond. Her work spans strategic planning, brand development, integrated marketing communications, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, internal communication and accessibility-focused communication design.

Catherine Ducharme, IABC Fellow, PCC, CLC, is founder and principal of Fluency Leadership. A career communicator, certified coach and facilitator, Ducharme has more than 35 years of experience in communication and leadership. She has held senior roles in public relations, corporate communication, internal communication and marketing communication across industries including technology and health sciences. Today, she focuses on developing communication and marketing professionals into exceptional leaders.

Cyrus Mavalwala, IABC Fellow, ABC, MC, is a communication strategist who leads a team of trusted advisers helping senior executives build and sustain influence with their most important stakeholders. After holding senior roles at global public relations agencies, Mavalwala founded Advantis Communications in 2002. The firm's proprietary frameworks integrate AI, elevate social media and use video to strengthen thought leadership, visibility and influence.

André Oberholzer, SCMP, FCSCE, is group head of corporate affairs at Sappi Limited, a global pulp and paper company with operations across South Africa, North America and Europe. He is a member of the Group Management Committee and chairs the company's Brand Council, helping align corporate, service and product branding. He also serves on the Sappi South Africa Social Impact Committee and the Group Sustainability and Risk Councils.

Sia Papageorgiou, IABC Fellow, FRSA, FCSCE, SCMP, is one of the world's most awarded communication strategists, earning more than 60 honors for excellence in strategic communication and leadership. Over a career spanning more than three decades, she has worked in journalism, public relations, corporate communication and strategic advisory roles across government, business and the nonprofit sector. She is co-founder of the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence, a global professional development and insights organization that serves leading organizations worldwide.