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Thanks to these esteemed judges for their support in judging the 2025 awards.
Aline Loosveldt
I am an experienced membership management professional with a strong background in strategy development, member engagement, and organisational growth. As the Membership Affairs Director at EADV, I lead initiatives focused on recruiting, retaining, and supporting members while ensuring alignment with our strategic objectives. I play a key role in governance, overseeing statutes, election processes, and supporting various committees. Passionate about delivering value to our members, I continuously work to enhance membership services, optimise operations, and foster a thriving professional community.
Bradley Forder
Bradley’s role is to align and amplify worldsteel’s and its members’ key messages. He is secretary to worldsteel’s Communications Committee (COMMCO) and also oversees the work of the Digital Communications (DIGICOMM) Expert Group, which coordinates member activity in particular on social media. Before joining worldsteel he worked in communications support for two public-private partnerships between the European Commission and the aviation sector. He has an MA in European Political Economy jointly awarded by the University of Bath, UK, and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.
Dishi Phillips
As Executive Director for the European Society for Precision Engineering & Nanotechnology (euspen), Dishi Phillips has extensive leadership and EU project management experience. A solid background in financial management, staff management and holistic marketing, Dishi has been instrumental in strengthening the relationship between the three main global Societies within precision engineering. With strong connections between academia and industry and the ability to forge long-lasting, professional and credible relationships, Dishi is a strong advocate in supporting and promoting women into engineering and is studying for her Doctorate at Cranfield University.
Ms Dishi Phillips, BA(Hons), DipM MCIM
Ella Minty
- Board and Council Member; Assessor for the Chartered Status; Founder and Co-chair of the Energy Leadership Platform; Chair of the Foresight Panel - the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR);
- Board Director of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Aberdeen Section;
- Fellow of the UK’s Institute of Leadership, and Judge of its Digital Leadership Annual Awards;
- Founding Fellow of the Commonwealth Communicators Organisation – The Commonwealth Secretariat;
- Lead trainer for the Post Graduate Specialist Diploma in Crisis Communication - Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University;
- Founder of SPE’s Leadership Development Initiative for Young Professionals, Middle East and North Africa;
- Business mentor to the members of The Institute of Directors (IoD) and to the UK Government’s Communications Services (GCS);
- Chief Examiner, Socially Mobile CIC;
- Adviser to the Digital Democracy Commission, UK’s Parliament House of Commons
Heike Fania
Dr. Heike Fania is Director of Marketing and Communications and Deputy Director at the Osteology Foundation, a global non-profit dedicated to advancing science and education in oral tissue regeneration. She brings extensive experience in scientific communication, marketing, education strategy, and stakeholder engagement across the medical and association sectors. Holding a PhD in Natural Sciences and a Swiss Federal Diploma in Leadership and Management, she combines strategic vision and collaboration-oriented leadership with scientific expertise. Her work is driven by a passion for impactful communication, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
Jessica Imbert
With a Master’s Degree in European and International Law, Jessica has a long-standing experience in EU public health policy – with past experiences in EU institutions, a European NGO and as a freelance consultant. Jessica is now Director External Affairs at MedTech Europe.
Lorraine Reese
Lorraine began her career at a corporate events agency but has spent over 20 years working for a range of prestigious associations and learned societies. As Associate Director of Events and Marketing at the Biochemical Society, Lorraine has strategic oversight of the Society’s programme of events, Awards and grants schemes, and marketing and communications activities, as well as managing specific projects across the Group.
Magdalena Mook
CEO of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Magdalena brings a wealth of experience in consulting, coaching, association management, and fundraising. Through her leadership, the organization has become the leading voice for the global coaching community with more than 63,000 members and almost 60,000 ICF-credential holders worldwide.
Ms. Mook received her M.S. in Economics and International Trade from the Warsaw School of Economics, Poland. In 2019, Magda was recognized as #1 Coach: Global Influence and a finalist in the Thinkers50 Distinguished Award in Coaching and Mentoring. In 2023, 2024 and in 2025 she was recognized as #10 of Top30 Global Gurus in Organizational Culture. Thinkers50 also recognized Magda in 2024 as one of Coaches50 Top Coach in the world. She is a trained professional coach and systems facilitator.
Magda is a frequent keynote speaker, a contributor to Forbes Magazine, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Entrepreneur Organization and other major publications. She is a host of a monthly LinkedIn Live, where she speaks to organizational leaders and major influencers.
Magda is a long-time member of ASAE, formerly chairing the International Council and Key Global Associations Committee (KGAC), where is remains an active member and contributor.
Natasha Slater
Natasha graduated in French and Russian Studies from the University of Edinburgh. Following several years as a consultant specialising in energy, health and environmental policy in the EU and neighbouring countries, she transitioned to non-profit administration in the neuroscience sector in 2017, and joined IBRO in 2022. As Director of Partnerships & Engagement, she is responsible for driving IBRO’s portfolio of partnerships, oversees its external communications, and coordinates efforts to evaluate and enhance the accessibility of IBRO’s global programs.
Philippa Baumgartner
Philippa Baumgartner is Head of Communications at the Club of Rome, a global think tank working to advance systems change for a safe and just future. With over 18 years of experience across corporate, academic, and non-profit sectors, she has led high-performing communications teams and shaped narratives that drive systems change. Philippa specialises in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and improving how organisations work by building clear processes and strengthening operational focus. She previously held senior roles at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and Freightliner Group Ltd, and holds a BSc in Mathematics from King’s College London and an MBA from Modul University, Vienna.
Richard Casey
Prior to joining the veterinary world in 2011 Richard’s career was focussed in human resources and organisational development for a variety of household names. Today, he is Executive Director for the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, and a Past President of the UK’s Veterinary Management Group (VMG). He holds an Executive MBA, Post Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership, is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, and is in the final year of researching his Doctorate in Business Administration, with a focus on strategic planning for veterinary associations. Richard believes anyone can achieve success in their careers regardless of their background, and that the key to this is courage and kindness.
Rupesh Kumar
Rupesh Kumar is an experienced marketing and communications professional with over 14 years of expertise in global affairs, business development, and strategic engagement. Currently serving as the Director of Special Projects at APMP, he leads high-impact initiatives, driving innovation and strategic growth across the organization. Previously, as the Director of Chapter and Membership Engagement, he played a key role in expanding community engagement, strengthening industry partnerships, and enhancing member experiences. With a strong background in stakeholder relations, event management, and digital marketing, Rupesh is dedicated to fostering professional communities and delivering impactful projects.
Sherma Malan
Sherma is a dynamic and results-oriented professional with a comprehensive background in education and professional body management, dedicated to driving operational excellence and fostering innovation. Leveraging exceptional interpersonal relationship skills with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, she is committed to delivering impactful solutions that enhance productivity and support organisational goals. With a passion for continuous improvement and a drive for success, she excels in transforming challenges into opportunities.
Sven Bossu
Sven joined AIPC as CEO in May 2020. Together with the Board, the Members and the Business Partners he has implemented a transformation programme which has resulted into an entirely new value proposal to Convention and Exhibition Centres across the globe based on the changing needs of the members and the challenges they are facing.
Before joining AIPC, Sven worked as managing director at ESTRO (European Society for Radiation Oncology). He successfully led the branding, marketing and digital transformation of ESTRO – a massive project which was finalised in April 2020. It included a full re-branding, implementation of a new CMS and CRM system, the creation and implementation of a marketing strategy and a complete re-vamp of the annual congress. Prior to joining ESTRO, Sven worked for 20 years in the financials services world. The first 10 years of his career he worked as an international programme manager at ING, followed by 10 years at SWIFT – the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications.
At SWIFT, Sven oversaw Sibos – SWIFT’ s flagship event which brings together over 8,000 decision takers form over 150 countries for 4 days to discuss the common challenges the financial community faces and the common solutions to be put in place.
Sven holds a degree in anthropology. He works and lives in Belgium, has two children and loves to read.
Thomas Jacob
Thomas Jacob is the Chief Operating Officer at WAN-IFRA, responsible for global operational management and business development. With nearly four decades of experience in the media industry, Thomas has held key leadership roles across various regions. Early in his career, he relocated to Singapore to establish IFRA’s presence in Asia, successfully founding IFRA Asia and IFRA India.
He later joined Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail and Metro in the UK. As ANL’s International Development Director, Thomas played a pivotal role in conceptualizing a mid-market newspaper for the Indian market and initiated a joint venture with the India Today Group to launch Mail Today.
Thomas holds an MBA with high honors from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, graduating summa cum laude and becoming a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He earned his electronics and telecommunications engineering degree with distinction from the National Institute of Technology, Suratkal, and completed advanced studies in computer networking at ICIS, Singapore.
Victoria Withy
Originally from New Zealand, I have a ‘can do’ attitude, an understanding of the strength diversity brings, an open, transparent and collaborative approach and an appreciation of working in a team. Since moving to Scotland, UK in 2002 I have developed a strong network locally as well as across Europe.
Working in the world of associations and particularly in the science/medical arena is rewarding, challenging and thought provoking. I have been working in the area of endocrinology (hormones) for a number of years - most recently with the European Society of Endocrinology heading up Membership, Marketing and Communications and Publishing.
I am honoured to support the work of MemberWise as Ambassador for Mentoring, Gordon Riding for the Disabled as a volunteer and also sit on the Business Improvement Board for my town in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire as the past Chair of the Inverurie Business Association
I am passionate about
- Viewing a business from a holistic point of view and developing people and strategies to help drive success
- Developing marketing and communications strategies which deliver tangible results
- Commercialisation, attracting inward investment and sponsorship/partnership strategy for conferences
- Brand development and lead generation to build sustainable market presence
- Delivering independent information and guidance on business strategy
- Using digital and print channels to support research dissemination from academic journals
- Mentoring and developing people to support their success
- Developing awareness days - for example European Hormone Day and World Hormone Day highlighting the importance of hormones and good hormone health #BecauseHormonesMatter
