The Marketing Academy, a highly respected non-profit organisation, has evolved its Fellowship Program from regional cohorts (EMEA, US, and APAC) into a Global Program, enabling CMOs from anywhere in the world to participate alongside peers from every continent. The board-level program, designed exclusively for CMOs, develops the skills to help make the transition to CEO or broader C-Suite roles.
Following a rigorous selection process The Marketing Academy has selected 30 CMOs and growth leaders from around the world who will form the first of two Cohorts in 2026.
Sherilyn Shackell, Founder & Global CEO of The Marketing Academy said –“The response to the 2026 Global Fellowship Program has been extraordinary in both volume and calibre. We saw an unprecedented number of applications from exceptional CMOs, making the selection process both a privilege and a responsibility. Being selected is a significant achievement, but more importantly, it’s an invitation into a global community where leaders can learn, across industries, borders & cultures, together. We are thrilled and deeply honoured to welcome this exceptional group as they help shape the future of boardrooms globally.”
The 2026 Global Fellowship Program is sponsored by Salesforce, The Brandtech Group, TikTok and Omnicom with support from Knowledge Partners McKinsey & Company, Marketing Leadership expert Thomas Barta & board-level coaching organisation Wisdom8.
Bogdan Toma, Partner, McKinsey & Company said “We are excited to welcome an exciting and diverse group of CMOs in 2026 and continue McKinsey’s 10+ years global partnership with TMA, as knowledge partners. This year, we expect so much more of the conversation to be anchored in the impact of technology in Marketing and business more broadly, and the leadership approach required to craft the path forward. We are excited to partner with TMA, facilitate and inspire the rich conversation that will anchor the programme over the sessions planned this year.”
The Fellows appointed for this cohort are:
Allyson Witherspoon, Chief Marketing Officer, Nissan Motor Corporation
Andy Freeman, Group Brand & Marketing Officer, Centrica
Anna Braithwaite, Chief Customer/Marketing Officer, John Lewis Plc
Avi Laufer, CMO – Strauss Israel, Strauss Group
Bart Quinton Smith, Marketing & Sales Director, UK & Ireland, TUI Group
Cilesta Van Doorn, Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, BT
Clairy Moraitou, Group Head of Customer, Market and Brand Insights, Zurich Insurance
David Hilbert, Marketing Director, Europe, Kia Europe GmbH
Gabriella Libonati, Head of Global Marketing, Venchi
Georgina Bradford, General Manager Foods UK & Ireland and Mini Meals Europe, Unilever
Hamish McVey, Director of Marketing, British Airways
Inderjit Bassi, Chief Marketing and Design Officer, Barclays UK
Jill Dougan, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Informa
Laetitia Raoust, CDMO L’Oreal UK and Ireland, L’Oréal
Laura Joseph, Chief Customer Officer, Tesco Mobile
Lisa Vortsman, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, US, The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Luis Garcia, Chief Marketing Officer, Naterra International
Michelle Spillane, Managing director of marketing, Flutter
Monica Silic, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC UK & Ireland
Mounir Jazouli, Chief Communication & Institutional Relations Officer, Bank of Africa
Naomi Kasolowsky, Category Director, Tesco PLC
Patrik Hansson, CMO Exec VP Marketing and Innovation, Arla Foods
Robert Blythe, CMO – Europe Beverages, PepsiCo
Samantha Reader, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, Mark Anthony Brands International
Sarah Fuller, Chief Marketing Officer, The Automobile Association
Shubhranshu Singh, Marketing Advisor & Columnist, Global Board Member, Effie Lions Foundation
Stephanie Shields Jacoby, Global Category Director, Vodka, Diageo
Sumit Virmani, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Infosys Limited
Valentina Ciobanu, CMO – Europe, Australia and North Asia, General Mills
WenWu Yuan, Chief Marketing Officer, C&A Mode GmbH
The Fellowship Program curriculum covers all elements of Board stewardship including strategy, corporate finance, organisational health, leading transformational change, operational effectiveness and stakeholder influence. Fellows also benefit from mentoring, enabling them to spend one-on-one time with seasoned Board members, in addition to being assigned an Executive Coach for the duration of the program.
Applications for the second 2026 cohort remain open until March 30, 2026.
