CIPR International Elects 2027 Committee to Strengthen PR Leadership Across Borders
Updated: 7 hours ago
The future of public relations will not be shaped in isolation. CIPR International’s 2027 Committee brings international expertise together to strengthen strategic leadership, share knowledge across cultures and expand opportunities for practitioners worldwide.
CIPR International, one of the largest sectoral groups within the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), has announced its Committee for 2027 following its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 28 October 2026. Bringing together practitioners, academics and professional leaders from different countries and cultures, the Committee reflects the breadth of international experience within the profession. It provides a platform for cross-border learning, professional development and stronger strategic-communication leadership as technology and stakeholder expectations evolve.
Taazima Kala, Chart.PR, FCIPR (Botswana), will serve her third and final year as Chair, providing continuity in the Committee’s international engagement and member-focused initiatives. Dr Steven Carl Smith, Chart.PR, SCMP (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), a strategic-communication practitioner and researcher, has been elected Vice-Chair. Stuart Graham, FCCA (United Kingdom) continues as Treasurer, and Anjalie Munasinghe, MCIPR (Sri Lanka) has been re-elected as Secretary.
Elected Committee Members include:
Professor Emeritus Anne Gregory (United Kingdom)
Eva Maclaine, Chart.PR, Hon FCIPR (United Kingdom)
Samantha Seewoosurrun, Chart.PR, FCIPR (Mauritius)
Andras Sztaniszlav, Chart.PR, CMS (United Kingdom)
Alessandra Plichero, MCIPR (Italy)
Samuel Osei, MCIPR, APR (Ghana)
Jared Meade, MPS, APR (United States of America)
Ferdinand Bondoy (Philippines)
Saad Al Rubaiaan, Chart. PR, MCIPR (United Kingdom)
Omotola Akindipe, MCIPR (Angola)
Anjali Patil, MCIPR, ACC (India)
Gavrielle Kirk-Cohen (South Africa)
Co-opted Committee Members include:
Thanzyl Thajudeen, FCIM, FCIPR, Chart.PR (Sri Lanka)
Klao Bell-Lewis, Chart. PR (Jamaica)
Special Committee Advisors include:
Anne Gregory, Eva Maclaine and Samantha Seewoosurrun, will continue as Special Advisors alongside their roles as Committee members. Their professional experience, institutional knowledge and strategic counsel will support the Committee’s work.
The opportunity for the 2027 Committee is to turn international connections into lasting professional value: wider access to expertise across markets, fresh perspectives on innovation and emerging technology, and learning that helps practitioners contribute confidently to organisational decisions. Through events, editorial platforms and professional networks, CIPR International can amplify diverse regional perspectives while championing Chartership, professional development and a more influential global profession.
Chair’s Comment – Taazima Kala, Chart.PR, FCIPR:
“As I enter my third and final year as Chair, I am proud of the progress we have made in strengthening international collaboration, growing our editorial platforms, supporting emerging practitioners and creating more opportunities for member engagement. I warmly congratulate Steven on his election as Vice-Chair, Anjalie as Secretary, and thank Stuart for his continued service as Treasurer. I am equally grateful to our Special Advisors and Committee members who generously contribute their time and expertise. Looking ahead, our focus remains on building a more connected, inclusive and engaged international community, guided by a shared belief in the value of global insight, local understanding and better communication.”
Vice-Chair’s Comment – Dr Steven Carl Smith, Chart.PR, SCMP:
“Public relations is being reshaped by technology, changing expectations and the complexity of working across cultures. The profession’s future depends on our ability to move beyond communicating decisions to helping shape them. That requires strategic judgement, cultural intelligence and the confidence to provide counsel when it matters most. CIPR International brings together perspectives that no single market can provide. As Vice-Chair, I will work with Taazima and our Committee to translate that international expertise into stronger opportunities for learning, Chartership and professional exchange. Our impact should be measured not only by the connections we create, but by the capability and influence practitioners gain from them.”
About CIPR International: One of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ largest sectoral groups, CIPR International connects practitioners, academics and emerging professionals working in the UK and around the world. It promotes cross-cultural understanding, ethical practice, professional development and knowledge exchange. The CIPR is the world’s only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners.
Comments