Yahoo Academy announces the 40 outstanding emerging leaders joining the class of 2023

Yahoo is proud to announce the 40 outstanding emerging leaders who have been chosen from a record 250 entries to participate in the Yahoo Academy 2023 program. 

Now in its 12th year, the Yahoo Academy remains the industry’s leading talent-building initiative. This year’s cohort is made up of individuals across major holding companies, indie agencies and brand marketers from Australia and Singapore. 

This year’s program will be led by renowned nomadic strategists Rosie and Faris Yakob from Genius Steals. Rosie and Faris are globally recognised experts in creative problem-solving, and their program focuses on equipping attendees with the tools they need for the huge evolutions facing their roles and the industry over the next few years, with advancements in technology like AI and web3.

See also: Yahoo Academy opens nominations for its talent-building program

John McNerney, managing director of Yahoo AUSEA, says: "The record number of applications we’ve received for this year’s Yahoo Academy is testament to the esteem this program is held in. We’re really excited to have Rosie and Faris leading this year’s program. We chose them because they are proven experts at helping people break out of their everyday habits and think more strategically.

"What is really exciting is that while we’ll be training these rising stars, the program is designed so they can share the skills learnt with their wider organisations to help them evolve as well. It’s a truly innovative program which we are certain will have a transformative impact on the industry as a whole into the future.” 

Adam Krass, chief digital, Data and Technology Officer at UM, adds: "Yahoo Academy has for a number of years been the proven program to help identify and grow the best young talent in the industry. We are thrilled to have our nominees chosen to take part and are excited for them to expand on their new ideas and innovation at UM as they learn from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The day's agenda will include captivating keynote presentations, thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, invaluable networking opportunities, and a live pitch-off event with the winners rewarded with an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime seven-day trip to a global conference in Sydney in October. Additionally, all attendees will receive Delegate passes to Advertising Week APAC on 1 and 2 August. 

Yahoo Academy’s Class of 2023:

• Alankrita Misra, Half Dome • Alex Soetrisno , EssenceMediacom • Arabella Robinson, American Express • Ashleigh Stead, Rufus Powered by Initiative • Bonita Wong, WooliesX • Cameron Stewart, UM • Claire Bryan, Carat Adelaide • Ella Ashworth, Publicis Groupe - Zenith Media Brisbane • Elyse Taylor, Half Dome • Georgette Gikas, Resolution Digital • Harleen Sodhi, dentsu • Hooi San Ong, PHD Singapore  • Jessica Wagner, OMD • Jorge Barbosa, EssenceMediacom • Josh Coles, UM • Kar Shing Fong, Dentsu Aegis Network • Kelsie Jeffers, Starcom • Kerryn Josman, Wavemaker • Kris Kuhn, PHD • Liam Pierce, Initiative • Lily Trainor, PHD • Lucy McKenna,  PHD • Mary Pantahos, Matterkind • Max Baum, Matterkind • Michael Kwong, Spark Foundry • Natassja Corban, Essencemediacom • Nikita Waring, Spark Foundry • Orla Delaney, APEX, Publicis • Peter Hamilton, Kaimera • Riccardo Morelli, BCM Group • Sam Cook, PHD • Sam Orton, UM • Shivam Patel, Spark Foundry • Simon Molloy, OMD • Sophie Gallagher, Slingshot Media • Stephanie Hallal, Wavemaker • Summer Treseder, Initiative Australia • Swastika Gupta, Mindshare Australia • Tom Hamilton, EssenceMediacom • Tom Trefry, The Brand Agency