CHICAGO, 22 June 2023 – The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the premier global membership association for the communications profession, has appointed Maliha Aqeel as Chair of the International Executive Board (board).
With nearly 6,000 members across 43 chapters around the world, IABC is the only membership association that serves all the collective disciplines of the communications profession on a global basis.
Aqeel will lead IABC’s board as it provides strategic advice and fiduciary oversight for the association at a time of significant change in the communications profession.
“Maliha’s leadership will be invaluable to IABC as we evolve to better serve the changing needs of the communications profession,” said Peter Finn, IABC Executive Director. “This is an exciting time as we strengthen IABC’s capacity to serve individual and corporate members working at the heart of every organization to bring to life outstanding communications that deepen understanding, inspire action and transform our worlds.”
“I am honored and delighted to be appointed Chair of IABC as it shapes the future role of the communications profession in driving business and organizational success and enhances the resources, insights and experiences it offers to help communicators succeed in their roles,” said Maliha Aqeel, IABC International Executive Board Chair. “I look forward to guiding the board at a time when the association is transforming its proposition, offerings and organization to empower communicators to seize the exciting opportunities we see developing in the profession.”
“IABC takes pride in representing professional communicators around the globe. Those who raise their hand to serve on the Board undergo a rigorous selection process and represent the incredible talent and passion we have within IABC,” said Alain Legault, IABC International Executive Board Past Chair. “Maliha is an outstanding communications leader who knows our organization well and brings exceptional strategic insight, governance expertise and financial acumen to the role of Chair.”
Having served as Vice Chair during the 2022-2023 term, Aqeel automatically succeeded to Chair for 2023-2024 term, following ratification by delegates at the IABC Annual General Meeting that took place on 21 June 2023.
The 2023-2024 International Executive Board comprises Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, MC (Chair), Alain Legault, SCMP (Past Chair), Kamyar Naficy (Vice Chair), Ann-Marie Blake, Chart.PR, MCIPR (Treasurer and Secretary), Julie Ludwig, ABC, SCMP (Executive Director at Large), Ed Kamrin, SCMP (Director), Wendy Snyder (Director), Matt Tidwell, Ph.D (Director), Jonathan Tremblay, CMP (Director) and new appointments Anuja Kale Agarwal (Director) and John Harris (Director).
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About Maliha Aqeel
Maliha Aqeel is Founder and CEO of The Ideas Collective Inc., an independent consultancy helping financial and professional services brands connect with their audience through purpose-driven strategies and insightful content. Aqeel has worked in corporate and agency roles for almost 20 years, including at APCO Worldwide, EY and Fix Network World. She is a regular speaker at industry conferences and recipient of several international awards including two IABC Gold Quill “Best of the Best” awards. In 2021, she was recognized as IABC Canada’s 61st Master Communicator, a lifetime achievement award recognizing communication professionals whose contributions have raised the standards of organizational communication in Canada.
Aqeel holds a Master of Business in Strategic Marketing from University of Wollongong, Australia and is both a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP). Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at Royal Roads University, Aqeel’s research explores the link between a brand’s social purpose and customer engagement in the context of sustainable business strategies.
About the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
IABC is the leading global association connecting communication professionals with the people and insights necessary to drive results. Bringing together the profession’s collective disciplines, IABC delivers on the Global Standard in communication through local chapters and regions; educational offerings; certification; awards; a proprietary resource library; diverse and global voices; and worldwide conferences including IABC World Conference, one of the premier annual conferences for the communication profession. Learn more about IABC at https://www.iabc.com.