PR/Corporate Communications & Publications Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
Chris Litherland, Founder and Principal Consultant
Mariposa Consulting International, Heinsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Chris Litherland is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in organizational effectiveness, executive coaching, and business advisory. As the founder of Mariposa Consulting International, he has dedicated his career to driving excellence within organizations and maximizing team impact. His strategic focus encompasses a broad range of initiatives, from enterprise strategy implementation and leadership development to culture and capability projects, and effective change implementation.
With a history of senior HR and business roles in prominent companies like SAS, Fujitsu, and Intermec by Honeywell, Chris brings a wealth of experience to his consulting practice. His commitment to professional growth is evident in his status as a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and his active participation in various advisory boards across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. Chris's influence extends to his role as a thought leader, where he addresses critical topics such as the future of work and corporate social responsibility. His insights are sought after at global conferences and corporate events, and his written work on subjects like employer branding, team excellence, and organizational culture contributes to the discourse on modern business practices. In 2019 he was the Chair of Judges for the Great Employers Awards and Chair of the HR Judging Committee for the International Business Awards in 2018.
His dedication to social causes, as demonstrated by his support for organizations like Save the Children and the International Red Cross (German Red Cross), reflects a deep commitment to societal betterment globally and locally. Chris's career is a testament to the impact one individual can have on both the corporate and social spheres, embodying the very essence of leadership and change. Residing in Germany for over two decades, Chris's international experience and British roots provide him with a unique vantage point, allowing him to bridge diverse business cultures and practices. His hashtag #learn2live #live2learn encapsulates his philosophy of lifelong learning and adaptability, principles that are increasingly vital in today's dynamic world.
Committee:
Oluwatobiloba Akerele, Communication Advisor
Management Sciences for Health, Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria
Oluwatobiloba is a strategic communication leader with over a decade of experience in driving impactful communications solutions across sectors. She earned advanced degrees in Communications with certifications in Public Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, Sustainable Development, and Management Consulting. She leads winning strategies that enable success across corporate indicators.
Zainab Ansari, Founder & Chairperson
Xenith PR (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Zainab Ansari, Founder/Chairperson Xenith PR (Pvt.) Ltd, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. A corporate image professional and Public Relations specialist with over forty-five years of a high profile and successful career in large multinationals and reputable organizations; extensively exposed to television, radio, and literary circles; an established writer, poet, and freelance journalist.
Leonid Gladilin, Partner
ECDMA.org, Tel Aviv, Israel
As a Partner at ECDMA and strategic leader at METRO, he shapes e-commerce and digital marketing. Recognized as a TOP E-commerce Voice on LinkedIn and a TOP 100 Retail Innovation Influencer, he drives innovative strategies, fosters industry collaboration, and leverages his digital MBA to transform retail customer engagement and growth.
Beáta Hives, Managing Director
Next9 Communications, Budapest, Hungary
Beáta Híves co-founded the Next9 agency in 2018. She has more than 20 years of experience in brand and communication strategy creation, local and regional campaign management, PR and crisis management. She is a regular judge and lecturer at universities.
Boyan Ivanovich, PR Director
Yettel, Bulgaria, Sofia, Bulgaria
Boyan Ivanovich has been Corporate Communications Director of Yettel Bulgaria since 2023. He consulted brands from diverse industries, including media powerhouse Netflix, pharmaceutical giants Gilead, Reckitt Benckiser, Horizon Therapeutics, mobile carrier Telenor, FMCG leaders Lidl, Kaufland among others.
James Lee-Tullis, Founder & CEO
The Content Quotient, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
A content marketing expert with 25+ years’ experience across the full spectrum of creative and strategic roles, James has created award-winning communication and loyalty channels for some of the world’s leading brands. Today, he leads a specialist consultancy, helping brands get maximum value from their content marketing strategy, and suppliers.
Jessica Puchala, Senior Director
Engine Technology Forum, Frederick, Maryland, United States
Puchala brings 26 years of professional experience to the judging panel. She got her start as a television news reporter. Now she’s the Senior Director of Communications and Marketing of the Engine Technology Forum as well as the Global Communications and Marketing Lead for the Protect Us Kids Foundation.