The Gerety Awards has revealed the global executive jury for its 2026 edition, bringing together an international collective of creative leaders who will define this year’s shortlist.
Following the announcement of jury presidents and global judging locations, the awards have confirmed who will sit across 15 in-person jury sessions worldwide.
From creatives and strategists to producers, filmmakers, brand leaders and social specialists, the jury represents the full breadth of the communications industry.
Executive judging sessions will 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 brings together influential regional voices who understand how work resonates locally, while collectively contributing to a global creative standard.
A big moment
“Having the Gerety Awards land in New Zealand feels like a big moment for our industry. There’s an incredible community of female talent here – smart, brave and culturally sharp – creating work that stands up anywhere in the world. This is a chance to shine a light on that strength and celebrate the perspectives that make our region unique,” says McCann New Zealand co-chief creative officer and jury co-president for the New Zealand jury Leisa Wall.
Fellow jury co-president and Artemis Communications CEO Isobel Kerr-Newell adds: “In assembling this jury – and being the first time New Zealand has hosted – we felt it was important to bring together all the different facets that make our industry here in Aotearoa so special. We are truly honoured to be leading such a strong group of creative leaders, changemakers and challengers. We look forward to the opportunity to both celebrate the work and strengthen the connections between women in our industry, here and across the global Gerety community.”
Auckland jury
More than 260 judges from 50 countries will join the 2026 Gerety Awards. The members of the executive jury for Auckland are:
- Isobel Kerr-Newell, CEO, Artemis Communications
- Leisa Wall, co-chief creative officer, McCann
- Kristal Knight, creative consultant
- Arnya Karaitiana, creative director, Kaiārahi Māori, Special Group Aotearoa
- Storm Day, CEO, Droga5 / NZ Lead Accenture Song
- Edwina Neilson, general manager, marketing Green Cross Health – Unichem and Life Pharmacy
- Cece Chu, associate creative director, Saatchi & Saatchi
- Melina Fiolitakis, creative director, Motion Sickness
- Jane Sweeney, executive chair & co-founder, Anthem
- Laura Cibilich, founder & design director, Run Aotearoa
- Michaela Chilton, brand strategy & experience manager, Mercury
- Rebekah ‘Bex’ Kelly, executive producer, Finch company
- Penelope Brown, managing director, Together
The Gerety Awards are recognised within leading global industry rankings, such as The Drum World Creative Rankings, and from 2026, Gerety winners will also be included in the Campaign Brief Asia Rankings, ensuring that awarded work contributes directly to the international performance tables that shape agency and creative reputations worldwide.
