MEPRA to hold 8th KSA Leadership Majlis in November

Strategic consultancy BLJ Worldwide has promoted several of its senior members to strengthen its team across its PR, content and creative functions in Doha.

Hadi El Fares and Sana Uqba have both been promoted to Senior Account Director, while Elsayed Gewely was promoted to Senior Account Director, Content.

The team also elevated Anzish Mirza, Rochelle Fernandes and Tala Sweiss to Account Director. On the creative side, Joe Maalouly has been appointed as Creative Lead.

“These promotions reflect the continued growth of BLJ's team and our commitment to developing and recognising talent from within. Each of these individuals has made a valuable contribution to BLJ and our clients, and their progression is a reflection of the expertise, dedication and ambition they bring to the business,” says Iman Asante, Managing Director at BLJ Worldwide.

Lauren Maher has taken up responsibilities as Director, Communications and Engagement at the NSW Reconstruction Authority. She joins after six years at NSW State Emergency Service, where she was employed as the Senior Manager, Media and Communications.

Prior to that, Lauren began her PR and communications career at the NSW Police Force, where she spent a decade overseeing public communication, media relations, crisis response, and reputation strategies for the state's police force. 

The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) will host the 2026 MEPRA Qatar Leadership Majlis on 10 September at W Doha.

Held under the theme “The New Architecture of Influence,” the Leadership Majlis will examine how regional conflict, geopolitical realignment, economic uncertainty, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and changing media habits are transforming the way information is created, shared, and trusted.

The 2026 edition will place an emphasis on practical application and lived experience. Sessions will explore how communications teams are using AI tools to plan, execute, and report on events; how event-led strategies differ across B2B, B2C, and B2G contexts; and how organisations are measuring impact beyond attendance and media coverage.

Justin Kerr-Stevens, MEPRA Chair, said: “The role of communications has changed. It's no longer just about controlling the message. Increasingly, our role is to help organisations make better decisions, build trust before they need it and navigate periods of uncertainty with confidence. That's what this year's Qatar Leadership Majlis is about. We'll bring together leaders from across government, business, media and communications to share practical experience, challenge conventional thinking and explore what the new architecture of influence means for organisations operating in today's Middle East. If attendees leave with one new idea they can take back into their organisation the very next day, we'll have achieved our goal.”

The Majlis is aimed at senior professionals from government, business, media, and communications, as well as leaders responsible for reputation, stakeholder engagement, corporate affairs, and organisational strategy, and serves as an open forum for candid discussion, peer learning, and practical insight