Gerety Awards announces 2026 global executive jury for creative excellence

The Gerety Awards has unveiled the full Global Executive Jury for its 2026 edition, bringing together a diverse international collective of creative leaders who will shape the shortlist for the year.

Following the earlier announcement of Jury Presidents and global judging locations, the awards confirmed the professionals who will participate in 15 in-person jury sessions worldwide. These sessions will evaluate the work that sets the benchmark for creativity in 2026.

From creatives and strategists to producers, filmmakers, brand leaders and social specialists, the jury reflects the full breadth of the communications industry, embodying the diverse perspectives that the Gerety Awards was founded to champion.

Executive judging sessions are scheduled to take place in London, Auckland, Toronto, New York, Paris, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, Mexico City, Bangkok, Los Angeles, Berlin and São Paulo. Each session aims to bring together influential regional voices who understand how work resonates locally while contributing to a global creative standard.

“Serving as Jury President for the Dubai Executive Jury of the Gerety Awards is incredibly meaningful to me, both professionally and personally. The super-talented women joining this jury are not only exceptional creative leaders — they are bold thinkers, changemakers and voices actively shaping the future of our industry. What excites me most is the richness of perspective in this room: different backgrounds, different experiences, but a shared belief in the power of creativity to make a positive impact,” said Vidya Manmohan, Founder and CCO of V4GOOD.

“To lead this session in Dubai, a city that thrives on ambition and possibility, feels truly special. I'm looking forward to the conversations, the debates and ultimately championing work that challenges norms and raises the bar for what creative excellence can be,” she added.

More than 260 judges from 50 countries will participate in the 2026 Gerety Awards. Members of the executive jury for Dubai include:

• Vidya Manmohan: Founder and CCO at V4GOOD

• Oyinade Osobajo: Head of Commercial Banking at Optimus Bank Limited

• Aya Ahmad Maher: Head of Research and Innovation at Whizz Film

• Toni Hughes: Executive Creative Director of Ogilvy One

• Damayanti Purkayastha: Head of Strategy at Mullenlowe MENA

• Marisa Lawson: Head of Growth at Publicis Groupe MENA

• Mirna Eskarous: Regional Director and The Studio MENA Creative Director of Burson

• Nelly Saad: Regional Managing Director MEA at .Monks

• Theodora Gabrah: Senior Manager, Corporate Communication of Emirates Global Aluminium

• Giorgia Fattoracci: Creative Director and Creative Strategist of Edelman

• Megan Fowkes: Global Prompt Engineering Champion of Serviceplan Middle East

Beyond judging — building the Gerety community

Alongside the jury sessions, the Gerety Awards will host a series of industry events and talks in cities including London, Bangkok, New York, Berlin, Melbourne and Paris. These events are designed to foster conversation, connection and shared thinking around the ideas shaping creativity today.

Gerety welcomes submissions across all categories, including the newly introduced Moments Cut, which celebrates work that captures cultural moments shaping the world. The Early Bird deadline for entries is Friday, 13 March. Eligible work must have been broadcast, published or released commercially with client approval between 1 January and the final entry deadline. Entries are judged on two core principles: the originality of the creative idea and the quality of its execution.