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

Nominations are open for the 2026-2027 IABC International Committee positions! Apply by 16 March.

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 2026-2027 term are for a 12-month period (July 2026 to June 2027), 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 2026.

Briefing Packet

Apply Now

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.

Judy Dobbs | Chair
Pamela Gole, SCMP | Vice Chair
Andrew Morrison, SCMP | Past Chair
Elvera Makki | Committee Member
Jayanti Menches, SCMP | Committee Member
Jamie Anne Vaughn | Committee Member
Kane Choa | IEB Liaison
Paige Schafer | Staff Liaison

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 | Chair
Linda Andross | Committee Member
Anuja Kale-Agarwal | Committee Member
Marina Lakhani | Committee Member
Theresa Lee | Committee Member
Richard Kies | Committee Member
Tammy Nienaber | Committee Member
Sam Sinclair | Committee Member
Gloria Walker, ABC, FRSA, MPRCA, MCIPR | Committee Member
Alexia Malamis | Staff Liaison

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
Nancy Arab, APR, ABC, FCPRS, CMP, SCMP | Committee Member
Ruth Elliott | Committee Member
Wendy Thatcher | IEB Liaison
Alexia Malamis | Staff Liaison

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.

Christine Breet, SCMP | Chair
Denise Caeser | Vice Chair
Kelli Cargile Cook | Past Chair
Joe Bobbey | Committee Member
Melissa Corns | Committee Member
Daniella Gigenti, CMP | Committee Member
Leah Gladu | Committee Member
Jacob Robinson | Committee Member
Peter Finn | IEB Liaison
Kristin Frankiewicz | Staff Liaison

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.

Mandy Gibson, SCMP | Chair
Pam Edwards | Vice Chair
Anthea Cudworth, ABC | Past Chair
Melissa Arulappan | Committee Member
Julie Dowdie | Committee Member
Theresa Lee, SCMP | Committee Member
Tricia Wretham | Committee Member
Zach George | Staff Liaison

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.

Richard Kies | Chair
Christine Breet | Committee Member
Chantelle Cabral | Committee Member
Kathryn Kneller, SCMP | Committee Member
Nekolina Lau, SCMP | Committee Member
Rhonda Sciarra | Committee Member
Sam Sinclair | Committee Member

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.

Rajeev Kumar, ABC, IABC Fellow | Chair
Brad Whitworth, SCMP, IABC Fellow | Vice Chair
Jane Mitchell, FRSA, IABC Fellow | Past Chair
Kamyar Naficy | IEB Liaison
Conor Burton | Staff Liaison

Fellows Selection Sub-Committee

Wisdom Chapp-Jumbo | Committee Member
Adam Fuss | Committee Member
Juli Holloway, SCMP, IABC Fellow | Committee Member
Theomary Karamanis, PhD, SCMP, IABC Fellow | Committee Member

Fellows Engagement Sub-Committee

John Clemons, ABC, APR, MS, IABC Fellow | Committee Member
Cynthia Schmieg, SCMP, IABC Fellow | Committee Member
Mark Schumann, ABC, IABC Fellow | Committee Member

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.

Bonnie Caver, SCMP | Chair
Deb Hileman, SCMP | Vice Chair
Ginger Homan, ABC, SCMP, IABC Fellow | Past Chair
Julie Ludwig, ABC, SCMP | Secretary-Treasurer
Shel Holtz, SCMP | Industry Stakeholder
Edward Dixon, SCMP | Council Member
Michael Nord, SCMP | Council Member
André Oberholzer, SCMP | Council Member
Peter Finn | IEB Liaison
Yenny Caceres | Staff Liaison

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.

Arnab Roy | Chair
Rob Briggs | Vice Chair
Ana Maria Critchley | Committee Member
Damilola Kadiri | Committee Member
Jessica Michan | Committee Member
Daniel Paulling | Committee Member
Linda Pophal, ABC, SHRM-SCP, SPHR | Committee Member
Elizabeth Sargis | Committee Member

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.

Marilyn Settell, CMP, PMP, MAM | Chair
Traci West | Vice Chair
Timothy Chan | Past Chair
Nengi Amadi | Committee Member
Sanita Shapka, SCMP, MA | Committee Member
Adina Chirita, CMP, CRAE | Committee Member
Thomas Baintlafatsi | Committee Member
Conor Burton | Staff Liaison

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
Melynda Connor, PhD | Committee Member
Rida Rehmani | Committee Member
Viola Cohen | Committee Member
Heather Young | Committee Member
Zach George | Staff Liaison

Commercial Strategy Task Force

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