UFI names the winners of 2022's Next Generation Leadership Grant

[From top left to bottom right] Monika Baro, Daniella Galante, Joseph Kowalsky, Justine Rabel, Maria Victoria Pineres and Jon Yahirun. Photo Credit: UFI

Six promising recipients will receive this year’s UFI Next Generation Leadership Grant (NGL), following expert deliberation by a jury of exhibitions industry leaders.

The jury, chaired by UFI President Monica Lee-Müller, evaluated qualifying entries submitted globally. The UFI NGL Grant promotes next-generation leadership in the exhibitions industry and rewards professionals who show clear initiatives in driving change and innovation in their area of activity.

This year's winners are:
• Monika Baro – Project Manager at VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. (Thailand)
• Daniella Galante – Senior Digital Marketing Executive at RX Africa (South Africa)
• Joseph (Joe) Kowalsky – Show Director at Emerald X LLC (USA)
• Justine Rabel – Key Account Manager at Eventmaker (France)
• Maria Victoria Piñeres – Operations Manager at Costa Rica Convention Center / Grupo Heroica Volio & Trejos S.A (Costa Rica)
• Jon Yahirun – Customer Success Manager at Clarion Events (USA)

This year, the focus of the NGL project is to develop a new talent narrative for the exhibitions industry, a topic of critical importance to the future of the sector. It is sponsored by Clarion, dmg events, Emerald, informa markets, RX and Tarsus.

“As the industry continues to face global challenges, developing a dynamic talent narrative for the exhibitions industry is of critical importance for the future of the sector. Congratulations to the industry professionals who won this prestigious grant. They will have the opportunity to participate in our talent accelerator programme, and we look forward to their contributions," said Lee-Müller.

A record number of applications were received this year, and the jury expressed optimism at the many motivated and talented applicants from different backgrounds and regions.

Spread over eight months, the programme enables the recipients to share their story on the way in which their leadership, commitment and experience is helping them to achieve success, whilst fulfilling their daily work obligations.

To qualify, applicants must have a maximum of 10 years of work experience within the exhibitions industry, and continue to be employed on a full-time basis (within the industry).