Gerety Awards Unveils Its 2026 Global Executive Jury — 15 Cities, One Standard of Creative Excellence
The Gerety Awards reveals the full Global Executive Jury for its 2026 edition, bringing together an international collective of creative leaders who will define this year’s shortlist.
Following the announcement of Jury Presidents and global judging locations, the awards now confirm the professionals who will sit across 15 in-person jury sessions worldwide, evaluating the work that will shape the benchmark for creativity in 2026.
From creatives and strategists to producers, filmmakers, brand leaders and social specialists, the jury represents the full breadth of the communications industry — reflecting the diverse perspectives that the Gerety Awards was founded to champion.
Executive judging sessions will take place in London, Auckland, Toronto, New York, Paris, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, Mexico City, Bangkok, Los Angeles, Berlin and São Paulo. Each session brings together influential regional voices who understand how work resonates locally, while collectively contributing to a global creative standard.
“I'm so thrilled to be selected as Jury President for the Los Angeles Gerety Awards. At Critical Mass, our core value is EQUAL. Not as a slogan, but as a commitment: equal voice, equal opportunity, equal weight given to ideas and people that could be overlooked. Los Angeles has always shaped global culture through entertainment, but right now our industry is under real strain — shrinking budgets, fewer shoots, and a system forced to rethink itself. When resources tighten, the desire to play it safe arises, but this is when bold, instinct-driven creativity matters most. The ideas that cut through aren’t louder or more expensive — they’re honest, human, and more tapped in. That’s what the Gerety Awards make space for, and I’m excited to work with some of the most brilliant female leaders in the world to create community and select winning work together.” commented Val Carlson, Global Chief Creative Officer, Critical Mass.
“The Gerety Awards brings together some of the sharpest creative minds in the industry, and the fact that it's built around female creative and business leaders isn't incidental, it's part of what makes the perspective in that room so powerful. Serving as New York Jury President is a genuine honor. I'm looking forward to championing work that's bold, culturally resonant, and built to matter—just like the women judging alongside me.” added Shannon Washington, Chief Creative Officer, 11 OUNCES.
More than 260 judges from 50 countries will join the 2026 Gerety Awards. The members of the executive jury for Los Angeles that will accompany Valerie are:
Eva Neveau, Chief Creative Officer, OMNICOM PRODUCTIONS
NiRey Reynolds, Global Director Creative Excellence, Momentum
Tori Palmatier, Managing Director, Institute Pictures
Kelly Bayett, Managing Partner Love Song, Founder Barking Owl
Natasha Cirisano, Group Design Director, 72andSunny
Lacey Jae, EVP/ Executive Creative Director, GSW, LA | Syneos Health Communications
Becca Morton, ECD, Pinterest
Lixaida Lorenzo, Creative Director
Bernice Chao, Head of Creative, Petlibro
Lisa Tauscher, Managing Director / Executive Producer, Partizan
Jen Goldberg, SVP/ Strategy, Monks
Noreen Morioka, CCO/ Founding Team, Storied Sports
Kim Getty, CEO, Deutsch
Juliette Geraghty, Vice President and Executive Creative Director, Critical Mass
As for the New York session that will be led by Jury President Shannon Washington, Chief Creative Officer at 11 OUNCES it includes:
Hailey Boerema, Creative Director, Translation
Suzanne Barbosa, Partner & Managing Director, Atlantic New York
Marisa Biaggi, Executive Creative Director, Edelman
Brynna Aylward, Chief Creative Officer
Jennifer Lo Sicco, Executive Director/ Head of Account Management, McKinney
Ashley Kreamer, Partner Editor, Final Cut
Perle Arteta, Group Creative Director, VML
Sabrina Lynch, Head of Strategy, Nuance Matters Momentum
Mihae Mukaida, SVP/Executive Director of Innovation Production, McCann NY
Christina Pitsinos, Group Creative Director US, DENTSU CREATIVE
Dayna Uyeda, Group Strategy Director, BBDO
Ellie Bamford, Chief Strategy Officer North America, VML
Nedal Ahmed, ECD
Candice Drakeford, Creative Director, WNBA
Beyond Judging: The Gerety Community Comes Together
Alongside the judging sessions, Gerety will host a series of industry events and talks in several of the host cities like London, Bangkok, New York, Berlin, Melbourne and Paris — creating space for conversation, connection and shared thinking around the ideas shaping creativity today. More information: www.geretyawards.com/events
The Early Bird deadline is March 13th.
Gerety welcomes submissions across all categories, including the newly introduced Moments Cut — celebrating work that captures the cultural moments shaping our world right now.
Eligible entries must have been broadcast, published or released in a commercial environment with client approval between January 1st, 2025 and the final entry deadline.
Work is judged on two core principles: the originality of the creative idea and the quality of its execution.
Submit your work now at GeretyAwards.com.
Meet the 2026 Jury and explore categories and deadlines at GeretyAwards.com