The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) announces the selection of seven members to serve on the international executive board (IEB) for the 2020–2021 term beginning this June. As the governing body of IABC, the IEB leads the organization in its mission to set the global standard of excellence for business communication.
The IEB selection process follows a rigorous, competency-based approach emphasizing leadership, problem-solving, a global perspective, strategic thinking and business acumen. IABC draws from the best in the global communication field to educate, inform and inspire innovation in professional communication.
Vice chair – Danielle Bond, SCMP
Danielle Bond, SCMP, is an award-winning marketing and communication executive with expertise in professional services. Currently the CMO of engineering, design and advisory firm Aurecon, Bond works with leadership to develop and execute integrated marketing and communication programs with proven ROI. Prior to joining Aurecon in 2009, she led the marketing team at Ernst & Young across Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Fiji), where her areas of focus included the development and execution of marketing programs to build EY’s brand, reputation and client relationships in support of market leadership.
As a current member of the IABC IEB, Bond has served as a board director as well as on the board’s Recovery Task Force and Strategic Planning Task Force. She has also served as the liaison to multiple international committees. She has also been a member of the IABC Victoria chapter since 2013 and a long-time evaluator for the IABC Gold Quill Awards.
Secretary-Treasurer – Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP
A strategic thinker with highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills, Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, currently serves as the director of global communications for Fix Network World in Toronto, where she is responsible for lead creation, execution and evaluation of multi-channel, integrated marketing and communication campaigns, including the digital strategy. Her work experience also includes senior-level roles with Ernst & Young and the Institute of Corporate Directors.
As a current member of the IABC international executive board (IEB), she has served in a number of roles, including member of the finance committee, member of the Recovery Task Force and member of the audit and risk committee. She has also served on numerous international committees. At the region/chapter level, Aqeel has served as the past president and board member of IABC Toronto and served in many leadership roles within the region.
Director — Ann-Marie Blake, MCIPR (term ends in 2023)
Ann-Marie Blake, MCIPR, is a senior communication interim specializing in helping organizations going through major transformational change. As the global communications and engagement lead for digital business banking with HSBC Commercial Banking, Blake is responsible for raising awareness and driving adoption of digital products and solutions across HSBC international markets. Prior to her current position, she held several senior-level posts with Barclays International.
As a leader, Blake has managed teams in Europe (U.K., Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium), Asia, and the U.S. She has a reputation for being an inspiring leader, building relationships at all levels and impressing senior stakeholders with her focus on delivery and execution. Blake currently serves on the executive board of the IABC U.K. chapter and as the chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel for the IABC Gold Quill Awards, as well as an evaluator.
Director — Julie Ludwig, ABC, SCMP (term ends in 2023)
A business communicator more than 18 years of experience producing and implementing successful marketing and public relations strategies in the accounting, legal, architecture, engineering and construction industries, Julie Ludwig, ABC, SCMP, is an experienced writer on marketing communication, legal, forensic accounting and technology topics. She currently serves as the senior marketing manager for Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, a leading advisory and accounting firm. Ludwig’s past work experience includes her work as the global communications manager for RGL Forensics and senior account executive and operations consultant with meme, inc. in Denver, Colorado.
Ludwig first joined IABC in May 2006 and has since served the association in many leadership roles at the chapter and region level, including president of the Colorado chapter and chair of the Southern Region. At the international level, she most recently served on the IABC finance committee.
Director — Alain Legault, MA (term ends in 2022, taking over position vacated by Maliha Aqeel as Secretary-Treasurer-Elect)
Alain Legault, MA, is the director of internal communications and public relations at the Société de transport de Montréal and has been working for over 20 years in strategic positions with major trade union, city administration and public organizations. The recipient of the IABC Chair’s Award in 2019, Legault has a strong history of leadership and engagement in IABC, most recently as the chair of the IABC 50th Anniversary Task Force. On the chapter and region level, he has served on both the Montreal chapter and Canada East Region boards.
A graduate of McGill University in political science and history, Legault also hold a master’s degree in communication from UQAM.
Director — Katie Macaulay (term ends in 2023)
With over 30 years’ experience in communication, Katie Macaulay is the owner and managing director of AB, the U.K.’s longest established internal communication agency, based in central London. Her specialty is helping organisations through change and transformation. Prior to her tenure at AB, Macaulay worked as a consultant, as well as in-house for Barclays, PWC and the London Stock Exchange.
A regular speaker and presenter, she has spoken at two IABC World Conferences and at the Institute of Internal Communication and Chartered Institute of Public Relations. She also hosts a popular podcast in the U.K.—The Internal Comms Podcast—where she interviews business leaders and senior communication professionals to shine a light on new thinking in employee communication.
Director — Jonathan Tremblay, CMP (term ends in 2021, taking over position vacated by Danielle Bond as Vice-Chair-Elect)
Living in Regina, Saskatchewan, Jonathan Tremblay is director of communication in the Government of Saskatchewan, where he has worked as a public servant for a decade. In addition to his work as a communication leader, Tremblay is a former journalist, having written or spoken on a variety of subjects for Le Soleil newspaper out of his native Quebec City, as well as for the History News Network, Radio Canada and Canadian Sailings Magazine. Tremblay served as chair of IABC’s Canada West Region (2017–2020), and president of IABC Regina (2014–2017). He also chaired the Advisory Council of the Royal Roads University School of Communication and Culture (2017–2020).
Tremblay is a proud graduate of Laval University and Royal Roads University and has been a certified Communication Management Professional (CMP) since 2016. Championing the communications profession and the value we add to business is his passion.
The continuing IEB members are Bonnie Caver as chair and Victoria Dew, SCMP, as past chair, as well as the following directors: Deb Hileman, SCMP, Matthew Tidwell, Ph.D., APR, and Derrick Rozdeba.
The 2020–2021 IEB slate will be presented to IABC members for ratification at the 2020 Annual General Meeting.