Sylvie Fodor

Executive Director, CEPIC

I am the executive director of CEPIC, an international organisation that represents hundreds of picture and news agencies, historical archives, and professional photographers in the visual media field. With over 15 years of experience in this role, I have developed a strong expertise in EU affairs, especially in the areas of authors' rights, platform liability, image rights, and ethical AI. I am passionate about defending the interests and values of the visual sector in the digital economy. My approach is collaborative and transparent.

I have notably initiated and coordinated a coalition of 20 organisations to file an antitrust complaint against Google Images at the European Commission. Later, CEPIC supported Google in the development of the Licensable Badge on Google Images that is attached to licensable images, pointing to the source. I participated in the advocacy efforts for the EU Copyright Directive. I led or partnered in two major EU-funded projects with significant budgets. I also enjoy growing the CEPIC membership and organising the annual CEPIC event, one of the largest global gatherings of the international photo business community.

: https://www.cepic.org/
: sylviefodor

Barbara Grobicki

Executive Director, Strategic Management Society

Barbara Grobicki is the Executive Director of the Strategic Management Society (SMS), a global membership association that promotes the development and dissemination of research and best practices in strategic management.  She is based in Chicago, IL.

Prior to joining SMS, Barbara served as the Chief Alliance Officer at the American Marketing Association (AMA). In this role, she was responsible for developing and managing partnerships to enhance the value and reach of the organization.  Barbara has also served as Director of Development at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Haslam College of Business where she focused on institutional advancement and fundraising.

Barbara earned her MBA & BA from the University of Tennessee. Her career has been centered on fostering collaboration and growth within associations and non-profits.

: www.strategicmanagement.net

Amanda Simmons

Chief Executive Officer, Advisiom Global Network

At Advisiom Global, I champion cross-border collaboration for ambitious, entrepreneurial dealmakers in the mid-market M&A space. As CEO and Founder, I lead a powerhouse network who deliver outstanding merger and acquisition opportunities for their clients.

With a relentless focus on member growth. I connect high-performing partners, spark value-driven alliances, and shape a global M&A community where proactive collaboration isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected.

With deep roots in marketing, business development, and executive leadership, I’m all about empowering our members to achieve more, together. Every initiative I drive is about unlocking opportunity, boosting engagement, and delivering real results for Advisiom’s global network. For us, success is measured in trusted relationships, deal velocity, and the collective impact we make on the M&A industry.

: https://advisiom.com/
: amandanoblesimmons

Alex Skinner

Co-founder and Chief Executive, Pixl8 Group

Alex is the co-founder and CEO of Pixl8 Group - a global digital technology group that has developed a suite of scalable cloud-based software designed to deliver intuitive, personalised and valuable member experiences, which includes their market-leading platform, ReadyMembership.

With a combination of his in-depth technical knowledge and years of experience in the membership sector, Alex is uniquely positioned to create solutions specifically designed to support the unique needs of membership organisations. His passion has led Pixl8 to build trusted partnerships with over 200 associations, institutes, not-for-profits, and charities. In his spare time, Alex enjoys travelling and getting onto the water, whether sailing or diving.

Pixl8 Group

Pixl8 Group is a multi-award-winning digital agency that specializes in building websites, software, and digital solutions for membership organizations, associations, and charities.

: https://pixl8.com/en/
: meta-alex

Mark Turrell

Chief Technology Officer & Founder, Fresh Solutions

Mark is a strategist, author, and entrepreneur. His work combines collective intelligence with networks, complex systems, behavioral science and neuroscience. He is the founder of Orcasci, a consulting firm designing scaling and network strategies with recent clients including the $1m Global Teacher Prize with the Varkey Foundation.

Previously Mark co-founded Imaginatik plc, a pioneer in crowdsourcing and collaborative problem solving for innovation. During his 16 years at Imaginatik, Mark worked with hundreds of companies, including Allianz, Bayer, Cargill, IBM, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Whirlpool and Xerox. The World Economic Forum nominated him a Technology Pioneer and a Young Global Leader. Mark is a Professor at Hult International Business School.

: freshstrategy.ch
: markturrell

Cecilia Spoor EMIAM

Leadership Programme Director, Association of Association Executives

I look after the leadership activities for the AAE. This involves chairing the Leaders Forums at the UK and the World Associations Congresses, as well the Leaders Summits and identifying other opportunities to support association leaders, for example new programmes and forums to bring Executive Heads together. 

I have been working on the AAE leaders events for eight years, contributed to the leadership aspects of all AAE's activities, and have an Executive Masters in International Association Management from Solvay Business School, Brussels.

Get in touch if you would like to hear more about our leadership activities at AAE or if you would like me to put you in touch with a trusted advisor or another executive director with experience of a particular issue. 
 

: https://www.associationexecutives.org/
: cecilia-spoor-a30956