The One Club for Creativity, the world’s foremost nonprofit supporting the global creative community, has announced the addition of three creative leaders to its Board of Directors.
Elected to two-year terms effective immediately are Aaron Starkman, Global CCO at Rethink, Toronto, and Xanthe Wells, VP, Global Creative at Pinterest, San Francisco. Greg Hahn, Co-founder and CCO at Mischief USA, Brooklyn, returns to the Board for a second term.
Board members guide The One Club’s professional development, education, and diversity programs, connect with advertising and design schools, and nominate top creatives for The One Show and ADC Annual Awards juries.
“We’re often defined by which side of the industry we come from, but The One Club demonstrates that true progress is only possible when we stand on the side of creativity,” said Wells. “I hope my role on the Board helps further blur the lines between brand-side and agency-side, inspiring us all to lead this era of technological transformation with a unified voice, championing diversity, equity, inclusion and integrity at every turn.”
“As a student, The One Show annual was my gold standard—I studied those pages on the subway, dreaming of one day making it in,” added Starkman. “To now be invited onto The One Club Board, made up of so many people I admire, is an honor beyond anything I could have imagined. The One Club has always stood for creativity, community, and integrity—and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
“I’m thrilled to be back with The One Club Board,” said Hahn. “The industry is going through such radical change at the moment. The One Club has always been a strong force in leading and guiding the industry through changes. There’s never been a more exciting and important moment to be part of the conversation.”
The new appointees replace Kaite Allen, Global Head of Marcom Marketing at Airbnb; Philippe Meunier, Co-founder and CCO at Sid Lee; and Leslie Sims, former Chief Marketing and Creative Officer at Impossible Foods, who completed their terms.
“On behalf of the club, I want to thank Leslie and Philippe for their decade of service to the Board, always pushing us in the right direction and keeping us focused on supporting the creative community,” said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club. “We wish Katie well in her new top marketing position at Airbnb, which made it difficult for her to continue on the Board. We’re excited that Xanthe, Aaron and Greg have accepted their new positions, and look forward to their insights and input to move the club forward.”
Swanepoel also highlighted Meunier’s contributions, noting his three-year tenure on the Art Directors Club Board before ADC’s 2017 merger with The One Club. “Philippe was a driving force behind ADC’s success, and played an important role in making the merger a success. The One Club owes a great deal to his vision and hard work.”
The One Club for Creativity is home to The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE), ONE Asia Awards, Type Directors Club, TDC Ascenders, Young Guns, Young Ones Student Awards, Next Creative Leaders, ONE Screen Short Film Festival, and more. Revenue from its global awards goes back into funding programs under four pillars: Education, Inclusion & Diversity, Gender Equality, and Creative Development.
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