Worldwide Partners (WPI) is pleased to announce the formation of a new group of leaders within the global independent agency network––The Next Gen Council. This group is comprised of ten representatives of WPI Shareholder agencies from Asia Pacific, EMEA, Latin America, and North America, and reflects the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, voices, and capabilities from across our network. 

Pictured from Left to Right: Yukun Bi (Hylink Digital, China/US), Ally O’Neill (Ardmore, Northern Ireland), Rachael Abram (lg2, Canada), Josh Albert (Godfrey, US), Annika Keilhauer (Wächter Worldwide Partners, Germany), Sheryl Thomson (The Union, Scotland), Emily Bonsignore (The Shipyard, US), Aleena Mahzar (FUSE Create, Canada), and Erik Sederowsky (Blomquist Communications, Sweden). Not Picutre: Alejandra Arce (Activamente, Mexico)

Next Gen Council members will work alongside WPI Board members and HQ staff to inform and develop our network’s tomorrow by helping to develop strategies for broadening awareness of and engagement with WPI, identifying opportunities for expanding collaborations between partner agencies, and informing the evolution of WPI’s offering to more effectively support our partners, their clients and to enhance the employee experience at Partner agencies. 

"The role of the Next Gen Council is an important one for the future of the WPI network,” said John Harris, President and CEO of Worldwide Partners. “We look forward to the diverse, creative and fresh ideas this group will bring to all of our indie agencies.”

 Please meet the inaugural members of The Next Gen Council:

ASIA PACIFIC

	Yukun Bi Head of Strategic Planning, Hylink Digital (US/China) Yukun is the Head of Planning at Hylink Digital Solutions and is sought after by global brands for creating award-winning cross-cultural work that captivates audiences.

EMEA

	Ally O’Neill Media Director, Ardmore (Northern Ireland) Ally has a passion for the media world and consistently looks for ways to upskill and motivate her team. This is a big passion point of hers and can be seen in the culture she has created within her team – fostering innovative media planning. Ally will serve as Co-Chair for the Next Gen Council.
	Erik Sederowsky Copywriter, Blomquist (Sweden) Erik is a creative copywriter and head of public tender at Blomquist Communication in Stockholm, Sweden. He brings a creative perspective to the council – using it to develop the internal use of Worldwide Partners and its expansion. Erik will serve as Curator for the Next Gen Council.
	Sheryl Thomson Creative Director, The Union (Scotland) Growing brands both locally and nationally, Sheryl thrives on solving problems and developing robust strategies. With a clear head under pressure and a rallying spirit, Sheryl creates an environment that allows ideas and people to grow.
	Annika Keilhauer Managing Director, Wächter Worldwide Partners (Germany) With a degree in cultural and international management and years of agency experience, Annika stands for efficient targeting and strong interdisciplinary thinking. In her spare time, the mother of two writes novels and is an active member of the St. Max church and concert choir.

LATIN AMERICA

	Alejandra Arce Account Director, Activamente (Mexico) Alejandra is an Account Director with Activamente and has more than ten years of experience in Public Relations, Strategic Communication, and Coordination of Consulting Projects and Digital Marketing.

NORTH AMERICA

	Aleena Mahzar Managing Director, FUSE Create (Canada) Aleena works closely with teams to create work that Turns Heads, fills the agency with pride, and makes an impact for brands. Her passion for the business is focused on creative problem solving, and working with incredibly smart and talented people. Aleena will serve as Co-Chair.
	Rachael Abram Content Director, lg2 (Canada) Rachael comes from the world of grassroots startups and although she now works on national and global brands, she keeps that entrepreneurial mentality with her. Living somewhere between creative and strategy, Rachael understands the world of content inside and out.
	Emily Bonsignore Media Supervisor, The Shipyard (US) Emily began her career with a focus on social media and evolved to broader responsibilities leading all performance marketing tactics - with expertise in major buying platforms across social media, video, programmatic, display and SEM.
	Josh Albert VP Business Development, Godfrey (US)  Josh leads Godfrey’s new business strategy and execution, successfully combining strong leadership and strong business sense to help companies develop and implement actionable strategies related to their competitive advantage and value proposition.

The Next Gen Council met in person for the first time at Aperture 2022, our Global Summit in Amsterdam in September. The group tackled several topics, including how WPI can provide more value deeper within the agencies, how the network can create more opportunities for knowledge sharing among agencies, and how WPI can evolve its offering to better support partners and clients, and enhance the employee experience. Key ideas for immediate impact and longer-term strategies surfaced, and the group is already taking steps to implement many of the action items and will continue making progress during quarterly virtual meetings.

Lori Bartle, CMO of The Shipyard in Columbus, Ohio and WPI North American Board Director, attended the meeting in Amsterdam and is encouraged by the Next Gen Council’s participation and progress so far: “There was great energy and enthusiasm from the start with this group - I've no doubt they are up to the task that's been given to them!”  

Vitor Barros, CEO of Propeg in Brazil and WPI Latin American Board Director, was also in attendance and hopeful for this group’s contribution to Worldwide Partners: “Fresh perspectives from a group of talented young leaders in the Next Gen Council will help us shape the future of our network.”

Please join WPI in welcoming this new group of leaders. The entire WPI network looks forward to the growth, collaboration, and learning opportunities that the Next Gen Council will bring to its agencies, their employees, and all clients.