NABS has appointed 19 talented early-career professionals from across advertising, marketing and media to its inaugural Next Gen board.
The NABS Next Gen board will shape the future of mental wellness in our industry through insight, collaboration and project work.
More than 170 people aged 30 and under applied to join the board, an exciting initiative that will connect NABS more deeply to rising talent.
In return for their time, board members will gain rare access to senior leaders as well as career-building experience in shaping and delivering projects that strengthen mental wellness across the industry.
The board aims to bring early career voices into the heart of NABS’ thinking, shaping better support and a stronger future for the industry. Since COVID changed the way the industry works, familiarity with the charity in this group has become more fragmented. The board will bring together a diverse set of people, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are brought to the table.
The Next Gen board will harness this generation’s creativity, energy and fresh perspectives, while giving NABS deeper insight into how they’re navigating changes across our industry. During the application process, candidates impressed NABS’ leaders with their strong desire to engage with the charity. The board now offers a positive, structured way for them to channel that enthusiasm.
Those selected for the board impressively demonstrated their passion for mental wellness as well as their emerging leadership qualities. The two-stage selection process involved a detailed application form, with those going through to the second round invited to an interview made up of NABS and industry senior leaders.
The board met for the first time on 13 May and will spend the next few months getting to know NABS before embarking on the ‘co-creation’ stage – working with NABS, board chairs and senior mentors to deliver work that will help to transform the way the charity supports those aged 30 and under.
Sue Todd, CEO, NABS, said: “We want to understand more about this cohort and how NABS can be in their corner. People starting out today in our industry are doing so in a very different world to those before them. The Next Gen board will tell us what matters to them, and what support is needed, so that NABS can evolve in a way that’s useful and relevant.”
The board’s co-chairs are Dara Nasr, managing director, commercial outdoor, Global and Davina Barker, chief revenue officer, Digital Cinema Media.
Dara Nasr said: “The Next Gen Board is a superb initiative that allows NABS to help identify and plan for the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities of our amazing industry. The board members are a diverse, talented and inspiring crew of incredible people. They all have the shared goal of helping their peers and the wider industry. It is a huge privilege to be able to work closely with them all.”
Davina Barker said: “I’m really proud to be part of this initiative. Our industry has changed significantly in recent years, and it’s so important that we listen to the experiences, challenges and ambitions of people building their careers today, so we can help shape a healthier future for advertising together.
“Selecting the board members was genuinely inspiring. We heard from so many talented people across the industry, making the final decision incredibly difficult. Those chosen really stood out for their passion, fresh thinking and commitment to making a difference. I’m excited to see what this group will achieve together.”
The first NABS Next Gen board members are as follows:
- Ana Souza, digital marketing executive, Channel 4
- Annabel Eve, behavioural science consultant, Ogilvy Consulting
- Alex Scott, creative, Analogfolk
- Aziz Mogaji, international client executive, Evolve, Talon OOH
- Charlie Kingsbury-Fitch, account manager, Captify
- Ciara McCartney, partnership strategist, Mail Metro Media
- Den Salazar, motion graphics designer, Informa
- Dhruvi Modi, partner manager, Uber Advertising
- Dilraj Samra, senior agency partner, Global
- Heather Devoy, account manager, MadeBrave
- Jastinder Chahal, project manager, Bauer Media Outdoor
- Kia Wing, copywriter
- Larisa Wong, creative strategist, Anomaly
- Leila Nithila-George, brand strategist, Screen Pilot
- Matteo Palmas, producer, TMW, Accenture Song
- Roisin Cussons, partnerships & influencer marketing senior executive, OMD UK
- Tersia Chiduwa, account manager, DoubleVerify
- Wendy Kamau, new business executive, Dentsu
- Yasmeen Frasso, digital business director, Mediaplus UK
For more information and for photos contact Louise Scodie l.scodie@nabs.org.uk
