Media (Website, Apps, Creative, Video, Social Media & Podcast) Awards Judging Committee

Chair: 
Steve Knight, Chief Executive Officer
UIC Digital, London, United Kingdom

Steve Knight is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the digital software, SaaS, e-commerce, last-mile logistics, and FMCG industries. As a dynamic and innovative leader, he has a proven track record of driving growth, enhancing customer engagement, and implementing successful business transformation strategies. Currently serving as the CEO of UIC Digital Ltd, Steve leads a talented team in developing and executing cutting-edge digital solutions. His role encompasses strategic visioning, operational leadership, and ensuring that UIC Digital remains at the forefront of the fast-evolving digital technology landscape. Since joining UIC Digital in 2024, Steve has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have significantly impacted the company's performance. He successfully launched an AI Proof of Concept for Sports Video Editing additionally, Steve expanded the company's market reach into Financial Services, enhancing its competitive advantage and driving increased customer acquisition. Recognizing the importance of operational efficiency and digital transformation, Steve implemented a comprehensive strategy that improved operational processes and reduced costs by 24% compared to the previous year. His leadership also contributed to a 12% increase in NOPBT, demonstrating his ability to drive profitability and deliver exceptional results.

Prior to joining UIC Digital, Steve held various leadership positions in the software industry. As Strategic Account Director - Enterprise at Builder.ai, he led the acquisition of new relationships with businesses, offering online solutions for global customers. He built partnerships with industry giants such as Etisalat, Microsoft, Znet HSBC, Vodafone, Barclays, and BT Group. During his tenure at Builder.ai, Steve also served as the General Manager - US and UK, where he built, recruited, and executed go-to-market plans for launching Builder.ai into both markets. He successfully secured new business, generating $1 million in revenue in the US market and £1.5 million in the UK market within just 12 months. Earlier in his career, Steve served as Sales Director at App4 Developments Ltd, where he contributed to the company's growth and market presence. He also founded and served as CEO of Productiv Delivery Ltd, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to lead and manage a successful business.

Steve's expertise extends to the broader FMCG and logistics industries. As General Manager - UK at Delivery Hero, he oversaw operations for Hungryhouse.co.uk and Valk Fleet Gmbh. He also held the position of Sales Director at JUST EAT, where he played a key role in driving sales growth. Steve's career began at Coca-Cola, where he spent over a decade as a Business Development Manager - Leisure. During this time, he honed his skills in business development, relationship management, and market analysis. With a passion for technology and a commitment to excellence, Steve Knight is a results-oriented executive who consistently delivers innovative solutions and drives business success. His expertise in digital software, SaaS, e-commerce, last-mile logistics, and FMCG industries makes him a valuable asset to any organization seeking to thrive in today's rapidly evolving business environment.

Committee: 
 

Megan Adams, VP Strategic Partnerships & Outreach
Professional.me, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates   
Megan Brittain Adams is VP of Strategic Partnerships & Outreach at Professional.me, an AI-powered talent management platform. She brings expertise in global partnerships, strategic storytelling, and clear, persuasive communication to her role evaluating excellence in business innovation on an international stage.

Edward Cheung, Independent Creative Director    
Shanghai / Hong Kong, China 
Edward Cheung, a Cannes Lions-winning creative leader, brings over a decade of advertising expertise, crafting impactful campaigns for Shell Helix, Reebok, and Alibaba. With global experience from Hong Kong to Shanghai, he inspires through lectures and drives innovation in the creative industry.    

Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta, Chief Experience Officer
Garage Collective, Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, India
As a Founding Member of the President’s Circle at Harvard Square, Dr. Dasguupta is an award-winning leadership coach (ICF accredited PCC) and an empaneled Speaker at the Indian Speaker Bureau. He was honored with the national level Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Award in 2024. He is a keynote speaker & C-suite leader.

Kristina L. Garcia, International Marketing Professional
ResearchFDI, San Francisco, California, United States
Kristina L. García has twenty years of experience in economic development, strategic planning, and marketing. She represented the German states of Berlin, Hessen and Bavaria, and Finland. She works across industries from IT to autotech. She holds a B.A. from the University of Kansas and Friedrich-Alexander Üniversität in Erlangen, Germany.

Seda Genç, Founder & Neuromarketing Consultant
NEUROMAR, Istanbul, Turkey
Seda Genc is an award-winning neuromarketing consultant and founder of Neuro-mar. As the exclusive partner of Neurons Inc. in Turkey and the Middle East, she pioneers the integration of neuroscience and marketing, with a multidisciplinary background in neuroscience, behavioral sciences, technology, and marketing communications.
 

Jieni (Jeni) Huang, AI Product Designer
Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, United States 
Jieni (Jeni) Huang is a Product Designer at Microsoft, focusing on AI-powered innovation and inclusive design. She currently designs for M365 Copilot and previously designed Microsoft Places. As a juror for multiple top international design awards, she also mentors at CMU and UW, inspiring impactful, inclusive solutions for the future of work.

Jiayuan Huang, Quantitative Strategist
Deutsche Bank, New York City, New York, United States  
Jiayuan is a Credit Desk Strategist at Deutsche Bank, where he develops pricing and risk analytics, conducts research, and models trading strategies for the credit trading business.

Yinjian Huang, Product Designer
Nooks, San Francisco, California, United States   
Yinjian Huang is a product design leader with 6+ years of experience designing scalable, intuitive systems for high-growth startups in AI, SaaS, and B2B. She currently leads design for AI Prospector at Nooks, an intelligent sales platform that tripled its growth last quarter. Her work spans agentic systems, LLMs, and complex enterprise UX.

Nick Leonardo, Founder & CEO
Yapp LLC, Issaquah, Washington, United States    
Product designer and learning strategist. Founder and hands-on CEO of Yapp Sailing Course, a mobile-first app that makes sailing theory accessible for beginners through structured microlearning, smart engagement, and intuitive mobile UX.

Gen Li, Technical Artist
Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States   
Gen is a VFX Artist who has been in feature film/TV series post-production for more than ten years. His skills are in various areas of visual effects, including compositing, 3D rendering, FX simulation, and lighting in real-time game engines. Currently, he is working as a technical artist at Amazon fulfillment technologies & robotics.

Sike Li, Chief Product Officer    
InnovatorX, New York City, New York, United States  
Sike Li is the Founding Chief Product Officer at InnovatorX (90 Global Digital Inc.), a U.S.-based wellness innovation venture. Formerly at Forbes, Sike builds emotional wellness platforms that combine AI technology, human-centered design, and cultural intelligence pioneering new emotional technologies at the intersection of media, mental health, and modern self-care.

Rakesh Mohanty, Strategy Consultant
Honeywell, Houston, Texas, United States 
Dynamic business leader with experience across strategy consulting, industrial automation, and AI-driven transformation. An MBA from Kellogg and MS in Mechanical Engineering, Rakesh specializes in digital strategy, market growth, and operational excellence. Passionate about sustainability, innovation, and helping industrial clients unlock long-term value through technology.

Olga Osokina, Founder & CEO
AIBY Health Tech, IObody Tech, Kyiv, Ukraine

Elizabeth Tishchenko, CEO    
FleetMind, Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland   
Serial entrepreneur and product strategist with a track record of building and scaling AI-first startups and digital applications. As CEO of FleetMind and alum of Techstars, Antler, and Startup Chile, Elizabeth has designed and promoted products, tools, and media across travel, sales, productivity, and logistics.

Roman Vynogradnyi, Head of Design
Censia, San Francisco, California, United States   
Roman Vynogradnyi is the Head of Design at Censia and an award-winning multidisciplinary designer with experience across UI/UX, branding, visual design, and product development. His portfolio features collaborations with leading global brands, including Philips, Cisco, Samsung, LG, Volkswagen, Nescafe, and L'Oréal, showcasing a versatile design sensibility and strategic approach.