The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has unveiled a refreshed leadership team, appointing senior communications professionals from across the region to key executive roles.
Justin Kerr-Stevens has been named Chair, with Neda Shelton and Monther Tayeb stepping in as Vice Chairs. Kerr-Stevens succeeds Kate Midttun, who concludes her tenure after guiding the association through a period focused on governance, professional standards, and long-term sustainability.
“It has been a privilege to serve MEPRA during a period of change for the industry. The incoming leadership team brings a strong mix of experience, energy and perspective. I am confident they will continue to strengthen MEPRA’s role as a trusted voice for the profession,” said Midttun.
The leadership changes coincide with MEPRA’s 25th anniversary, marking an important milestone for the region’s leading PR and communications body. Kerr-Stevens becomes the first Chair appointed from outside the UAE, while Tayeb is the first Vice Chair from Saudi Arabia, highlighting the association’s expanding regional representation and membership growth.
Strengthening the Executive Board further, Rishi Talwalker, Head of Communications at Havas Red, and Ghaleb Zeidan, Managing Director at Weber Shandwick, have also joined the board.
“As MEPRA marks 25 years, it is worth recognising the role professional bodies play in shaping not just an industry, but the people within it,” said Kerr-Stevens on his appointment.
He emphasised the importance of professional organisations in offering guidance, standards and community throughout practitioners’ careers.
“I am honoured to take on the leadership of MEPRA, and looking ahead, my priority is that MEPRA continues to be a place where experience is respected, new voices are encouraged, and practitioners at every point in their career feel connected to the profession,” he said.
“Remaining relevant to senior leaders while being meaningful to those just starting out is our core responsibility, and central to MEPRA’s purpose as it enters its next chapter.”
With nearly three decades of experience across government, consultancy and agency leadership, Kerr-Stevens brings a global perspective shaped by senior advisory roles across Australia, the UK, the Middle East and Central Asia. He is Founder and CEO of Northbourne Advisory in Doha, and previously held leadership roles as CEO of BLJ Worldwide and Partner and Middle East General Manager at Portland Communications.
MEPRA noted that the new leadership team steps into their roles during a period of rapid change in the Middle East communications landscape, driven by network consolidation, growing adoption of AI-powered tools, and rising demand for strategic expertise, ethics and professional judgement.
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