NEW YORK – The ADVERTISING Club of New York, the foremost professional organization representing the dynamic advertising, media, marketing, and ad-tech industries in the global media capital, is delighted to announce a significant strengthening of its leadership. The Club has officially appointed Sophie Kelly, SVP Global Tequila & Mezcal Categories at Diageo, as its new Board Chair. Concurrently, five distinguished individuals, each bringing a wealth of diverse experience and unparalleled expertise, have been welcomed to its esteemed Board of Directors. These strategic appointments are set to invigorate the Club’s steadfast mission to continually educate, celebrate, and empower the industry’s vibrant community.
The newly appointed Board Members are:
- Melissa Grady-Dias, Former Chief Marketing Officer at Cadillac
- Lisa Howard, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Revenue Officer at Hearst Magazines
- Vinny Rinaldi, Vice President, Media & Marketing Technology at Hershey’s
- Seth Rogin, Chief Commercial Officer at The Real Deal and Executive Chairman of Oxford Future of Marketing Initiative
- Khari Motayne, Vice President, CMI Media Group
Gina Grillo, President & CEO of The ADVERTISING Club of New York, expressed profound enthusiasm regarding these pivotal additions to the Club’s leadership. “We are pleased to welcome these outstanding leaders to our Board. Their diverse perspectives will support the continued advancement of our mission,” said Grillo. She further emphasized the significance of the new Chair’s appointment: “We are also delighted to welcome Sophie Kelly as the new Board Chair, poised to lead with vision and drive impactful initiatives for the organization’s future.”
The full roster of Board Officers and Directors for the 2025-2026 term reflects a powerful confluence of leadership from across the advertising ecosystem:
OFFICERS:
- Sophie Kelly, SVP Global Tequila & Mezcal Categories, Diageo (Chair)
- Cheryl Guerin, EVP Global Brand Strategy & Innovation, Mastercard
- For Chaucer Barnes, Chief Marketing Officer, Translation + UnitedMasters
- Scott Falzone, Managing Director, Telecom, Google
- Marie Devlin, Partner, Brand Team Partners
- Lisa Valentino, President, Best Buy Ads
DIRECTORS:
- Ricardo Xavier Aspiazu, VP, Creative & Brand, Verizon
- Jason Dailey, Director, Head of Agency, Meta
- Ron Fierman, CFO & Owner, Digital Pulp
- Carl Fremont, CEO, Quigley Simpson
- Melissa Grady-Dias, Former CMO, Cadillac
- Jill Hamilton, VP Global Media, American Express
- Lisa Howard, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Revenue Officer, Hearst Magazines
- Marinn Jackson, Director, Head of Account Management, Amazon Ads
- Soyoung Kang, CMO, eos
- Terryn Lance, Senior Director Media Strategy & Planning, Walmart
- Ryan Laul, CEO, Talon
- Lee Nadler, Founder & President, Sherpa Marketing
- Monique Nelson, Executive Chair, UWG
- Marla Newman, EVP/Sales, Raptive
- Mari Kim Novak, Founder and CEO, MKnCo
- Cheryl Overton, CXO, Cheryl Overton Communications
- Rachel Pool, Head of Strategy, Ogilvy NY
- Paolo Provinciali, VP Marketing Growth, Performance & Operations, LinkedIn
- Anselmo Ramos, Founder, GUT
- Damien Reid, Brand Consultant
- Vinny Rinaldi, VP, Media & Marketing Technology, Hershey’s
- Seth Rogin, Chief Commercial Officer, The Real Deal
- Laurel Rossi, Chief Growth Officer, Infillion & Co-Founder & President, Creative Spirit
- Jeannine Shao Collins, Chief Client Officer, Kargo
- Sandra Sims-Williams, Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer, Nielsen
- Rick Song, President, Brand Innovators Strategy Group
- Young Pro President: Khari Motayne, VP, CMI Media Group
Sophie Kelly, in her new capacity as Board Chair, articulated her vision for the Club’s future: “I’m honored to step into the role of Board Chair at The AD Club, a historic cornerstone of creativity and leadership in our industry. As we look ahead, I’m excited to work alongside the Board of Directors to champion bold ideas, harness emerging technology for our members, and foster meaningful partnerships that drive lasting impact in our community.” Her statement underscores a forward-looking approach centered on innovation, collaboration, and community engagement.
The ADVERTISING Club of New York also extended its sincere gratitude to the Board Members who are concluding their terms this year for their invaluable contributions. These esteemed individuals include Greta Lawn, Head of Agencies & Acquisition at Microsoft; Rafael Rivero, SVP Strategic Capabilities & Operations at PayPal; Michael Sallette, VP Media, Sponsorships & Licensing at Danone; and Lauren Wiener, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Their dedication and service have played a crucial role in shaping the Club’s success.
The Dynamic Landscape of Advertising and Marketing
- The global advertising market is projected to continue its growth trajectory, driven by increasing digital ad spending and the emergence of new platforms like retail media and connected TV.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are becoming central pillars within the advertising industry, fostering more representative campaigns and inclusive workplaces that reflect global consumer bases.
- The rapid evolution of ad-tech and AI is transforming how campaigns are planned, executed, and measured, offering unprecedented levels of targeting, personalization, and efficiency for brands.
- Professional organizations like The ADVERTISING Club of New York play a vital role in talent development and industry standards, providing essential education, networking, and thought leadership for current and future leaders.
About The ADVERTISING Club of New York
The ADVERTISING Club of New York stands as a leading trade organization, serving the vibrant advertising, media, and marketing industries in the unrivaled media capital of the world. Committed to fostering excellence and innovation, the Club consistently offers unparalleled access to industry leaders, groundbreaking thought leadership, and dynamic programming meticulously designed to educate, empower, and celebrate its diverse constituencies.
Central to its mission, The ADVERTISING Club proudly produces the International ANDY Awards. This globally recognized competition is dedicated to elevating the craft of advertising, pushing the boundaries of creativity, and setting higher standards for the entire industry. Beyond celebrating excellence, The ADVERTISING Club’s Foundation is passionately dedicated to building a stronger, more inclusive talent pipeline, ensuring that the future of the industry is truly representative of its diverse community. As a testament to its collaborative spirit and commitment to industry-wide initiatives, The ADVERTISING Club of New York is also a proud Founding Member of Creative Spirit US.
