Ask Iris Meijer to describe her role at Vodafone Business, and she’ll likely tell you that she helps customers succeed in a digital world.  Vodafone Business is the vibrant enterprise division of British multinational Vodafone, one of world’s largest telecommunications companies. With expertise in connectivity, the Internet of Things and global scale, Vodafone Business serves customers of all sizes-- from thousands of small to medium-sized companies, as well as large multinational customers. As Global CMO and a member of the senior leadership team, Iris Meijer champions a wide variety of programs that help build customer trust and overcome their challenges.

Julie Chan believes that now-- more than ever before-- it is important for marketers to understand “fluidity.” A global media expert who is GSK’s Communications Planning Lead for the Pain and Respiratory business categories, she recognizes that the ability to change rapidly must be built into our communications today.

Yin Rani’s career has been built on bold strategies, coupled with breakthrough communications. Last October, she accepted the role as Chief Executive Officer of MilkPEP or The Milk Processor Education Program, where she started to address the challenges of the milk industry by using marketing to make a positive impact.  Less than six months in her new position, COVID-19 interrupted some of her plans—but certainly not all!

Michael Moszynski believes that an ad agency—at the very least-- should provide businesses with the inspiration to advertise. As CEO of independent creative shop, LONDON Advertising, he is keenly aware that right now every agency is reminding their clients that “those who advertise in a downturn will gain market share over those who do not.”  However, he has gone one step further.

While transformation is unquestionably a critical business survival skill, Luis Gallardo has pioneered the transition from global marketer for one of the world’s top professional services companies to Founder of the largest forum of happiness and well-being experts and thought leaders that now reaches 10 million people across the globe.  And he admits he never could have done it without relying on his strategic marketing and brand building skills.

Simon Perkins was named President of the Orvis company in May. While it remains the world’s oldest mail-order retailer, Orvis has evolved to become a globally recognized fishing, wingshooting, and lifestyle apparel brand that is deeply invested in education and conservation. The company was founded in Manchester, Vermont in 1856 by Charles Orvis, a fly-fishing enthusiast. And while he created his mail-order business to sell fly rods, flies, and other fishing tackle, he believed that fly fishing made his life better and wanted to share the significance of the sport with others.

Mirella Amalia Vitale, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs at The ROCKWOOL Group admitted early last year that "Everything changed when we aligned around purpose." Today, at a time when everyone’s way of living has been challenged and the nature of cities is changing amid an unforeseen pandemic, she emphasizes that “Purpose is more relevant now than ever before.”

Olga Osminkina-Jones has long been a brand builder and a champion of disruptive, cutting-edge marketing with cultural relevance.  In her various roles at Pepsi and Danone over the past six years, she has been able to redefine a commodity product as luxury, revitalize a brand's value through both consumer and social insights, and has overturned the common misconception that Millennials don't care about image.

As Head of Brand Strategy and Stewardship at Shell, Rahul Malhotra understands how to champion purpose within an organization. His provocative phrase “Purpose is dead. Long live purpose” borrows from the traditional proclamation hailing the continuity of monarchy: “The king is dead, long live the king.” He believes that prior to COVID-19, purpose was a statement for many organizations. “Going forward,” he says, “purpose must truly become part of an organization’s DNA to instill value and trust. Purpose is not a desktop exercise; it has to start with why you exist.”

Last September, Anna Bager was named President & CEO of the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA), a national trade association that represents the $8+ billion Out of Home (OOH) ad industry.  And while her new role would seem particularly challenging with a stay-at-home edict during a global pandemic, this industry sector did not fare as badly as projections anticipated. Interestingly, Out of Home advertising—up until Q1 of 2020—had also experienced 10 years or 66 quarters of growth.