The CCO of the Future
15 June | 9-10:30 a.m.
The role of the chief communication officer (CCO) is being reshaped by technology, cultural change, and rising expectations for corporate leadership. This session explores how global communications leaders can prepare for the next decade: Reimagining the CCO role, aligning teams for greater impact, harnessing AI, attracting new talent, and navigating the growing intersection of politics, activism, and the CEO’s voice. Designed for communications professionals at all levels, this session provides a future focused roadmap for elevating influence, agility, and strategic leadership across global organizations.
Megan Noel
Megan Noel is the chief corporate affairs officer at Covista, where she leads enterprise brand and communications, investor and government relations, thought leadership, sustainability, and alumni engagement — advancing the organization’s purpose to open doors and unlock potential. With more than 20 years of experience, she helps global organizations navigate complex stakeholder demands and transform corporate affairs into a strategic growth driver, engaging nearly 10,000 employees, 97,000 students, and 385,000 alumni. Noel joined Covista in 2025 from Golin, where she served as global president of corporate affairs and a member of the firm’s global leadership team. Previously, she led communications and corporate affairs for PwC U.S. and Mexico and spent nearly nine years at Edelman advising clients on corporate affairs, social purpose, and crisis communications. A Ragan Hall of Fame honoree, PR News “Top Woman in PR,” and PRWeek “40 Under 40” recipient, Noel holds a business administration degree from Georgetown University and serves on several civic and nonprofit boards.
New Age of Storytelling: Cutting Through AI Noise
16 June | 9-10:15 a.m.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the percentage of job postings on LinkedIn mentioning “storyteller” doubled between 2024 and 2025. While concern about task replacement among communication professionals is real, there is also a growing need for communicators who can cut through AI noise and craft meaningful narratives. The role of the communication professional continues to expand, requiring both an understanding of large language models and the ability to shape compelling, organization-wide stories. This panel brings chief experience officers (CXOs) to share practical guidance to help you develop authentic, credible narratives in a rapidly evolving environment.
Moderator: Anuja Kale Agarwal
Anuja Kale Agarwal is an accomplished global communications professional, with over 30 years of experience in communications, in the insurance, banking, financial, and professional services industry in Asia, the U.S., and Canada. She is currently the National Communications Director at PwC Canada. Anuja is also actively engaged in CSR and DEI initiatives, and has served on several Diversity and Inclusion Councils. She is currently serving as the chair of the IABC Global DEI Committee, and is the co-chair of the DEIB Special Interest Group, IABC. In her free time, Anuja coaches and mentors graduate students and young executives on building their personal brand and executive presence. She is a guest speaker and writer on topics such as leadership communication and engagement.
Becca Chambers
Becca Chambers is the chief marketing officer (CMO) at Scale Venture Partners and one of LinkedIn's most recognizable communications voices. Also known as "Becca from LinkedIn," she’s a veteran B2B-turned-venture marketer whose authentic, no-BS approach to brand, leadership and building in tech reaches millions every month. Becca is also the co-host of the "Under Embargo" podcast, advises early-stage startups, and is changing the conversation around neurodiversity in the workplace.
Nadia Jamshidi
Nadia Jamshidi is co-Founder and chief communications officer (CCO) at Honeyjar, an AI-powered operating system for modern communications and PR professionals. She is a PR expert with over 25 years of experience leading media strategies for renowned brands across industries including AI, climate, food tech, automation, biotech, venture capital, and enterprise tech. Her work has included companies such as Apeel, ADT, Cision, Coco Robotics, Flashfood, Coreshell, and Soylent. Her media relationships have consistently secured placements in Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg, and The New York Times. At Honeyjar, Nadia leads communications strategy for a platform recently backed by Human Ventures and SNR Ventures in a $2M pre-seed round.
Mary Sedarat
Mary Sedarat is a senior communications and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience advising CEOs at global financial institutions. She spent nearly two decades at JPMorgan Chase, holding senior leadership roles across communications and marketing, including chief communications officer (CCO) for Asset Management and Treasury & Securities Services and co‑chief marketing officer (CMO) for the Corporate & Investment Bank. Most recently, Mary spent nine years at fintech firm MarketAxess as a member of the C‑suite, serving as chief experience officer (CXO) and chief marketing and communications officer (CMCO). She built the company’s global marketing and communications function and helped position MarketAxess as a globally recognized S&P 500 market‑infrastructure leader. Mary is based in New York, holds a BBA in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin, and serves on the board of The Ziegfeld Club Inc.
Barby K. Siegel
Barby K. Siegel is the global CEO of Zeno Group, leading the award‑winning integrated communications agency’s 800+ staff worldwide across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. During her 16‑year tenure, Zeno has achieved sustained double‑digit growth, surpassing $153 million in revenue while remaining rooted in its values of inclusion, ambition, collaboration, and fearlessness. A strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Barby spearheaded Zeno’s Act Together initiatives and led the agency’s strategic partnership with multicultural firm EGAMI Group. She serves on several industry and civic boards and chairs Page’s Internal Advocacy Task Force, helping drive systemic change across the profession. Barby is a highly decorated industry leader, recognized by PRWeek, PRovoke, Campaign US, and the Holmes Report, and lives in Westchester, New York, with her family.