AiMCO Refreshes Industry and Creator Advisory, Board Of Directors

The Australian Influencer Marketing Council (AiMCO) today announced its refreshed industry advisory and creator advisory, as well as its 2026 board of directors, with two creators joining the board lineup for the first time.

The new-look board and committees, announced at AiMCO’s annual general meeting yesterday, include some of the nation’s foremost creators, agency professionals, and brand representatives from Australia’s influencer marketing sector.

For the first time, two creators -- Ryan Jon Dunn (@ryan.jon) and Vanessa Li (@vnessali) -- have been appointed to the AiMCO board, with both set to serve 12-month terms.

Returning directors, Zenith Media Australia CEO, Jason Tonelli and MiQ Digital JAPAC CEO, Jason Scott, were also re-instated for three-year terms. Jason was reinstated as chair of the board, while Tegan Boorman was appointed the new deputy chair.

The elected 2026 AiMCO board of directors are:

• Andy Holford, chief product officer / SVP -- operational excellence, Kinesso
• Bianca Wallis, marketer
• Detch Singh, co-founder and CEO, Hypetap
• Jason Scott, JAPAC CEO, MiQ Digital
• Jason Tonelli, Australia CEO, Zenith Media (chair)
• Louise Romeo, chief operating officer, Starcom Australia
• Polly Blenkinship, global head of brand media, Audible
• Ryan Jon Dunn, creator
• Sam Kelly, CEO and partner, Hello
• Sharyn Smith, CEO and founder, Social Soup
• Tegan Boorman, founder and senior lawyer, Social Law Co (deputy chair)
• Vanessa Li, creator
  

AiMCO has also revealed its refreshed advisory councils for 2026: the industry advisory, which replaces its guiding council, and the creator advisory, is designed to specifically advocate for creators in the influencer marketing sector.

New members joining the industry advisory include Allegiant media managing director, Chris Parker, Meraki management founder and director, Claudia Dignam, L’Oréal Australia director of content and advocacy, Jessie Wright, and Ogilvy PR ANZ head of social, Steph Grapsas.

The new advisors join members from the 2025 guiding council, taking the new committee to 20 representatives.

The full 2026 AiMCO industry advisory is:

• Tegan Boorman, founder and senior lawyer, Social Law Co (lead)
• Alexis Whelan, creators and content lead, IPG Mediabrands Content Studios
• Bryce Coombe, managing director, Hypetap
• Chris Parker, managing director, Allegiant Media
• Claudia Dignam, founder and director, Meraki Management
• Drew Collins, head of social and influencer, Edelman Australia
• Jamie Searle, CEO and founder, Snack Drawer
• Jessie Wright, director of content and advocacy, L’Oréal Australia
• Lisa Leicester, head of OMD Create -- social and innovation, OMD
• Lucy Ronald, head of strategy and talent, Fabulate
• Nicole Foster, head of global PR and advocacy, /Minta Burn, head of global PR and advocacy (acting), Tourism Australia
• Sam Kelly, CEO and partner, Hello
• Sarah Letts, head of creative and strategic partnerships, Hoozu
• Sharyn Smith, CEO and founder, Social Soup
• Shivani Maharaj, chief creative officer, WPP Media
• Sonja Stindl, general manager, Amplify
• Steph Grapsas, head of social, Ogilvy PR ANZ
• Stephanie Scicchitano, general manager, Born Bred Talent
• Steve Wright, chief revenue officer, Vamp
• Zoe Lassig, group advocacy director, Havas Media Network

The new members joining the creator advisory are Ryan Jon Dunn, Stephen Lloyd-Coombs aka Reapz, Dr Kristyn Sommer, Hannah English, Matty Fahd, and Stephanie de  Sousa. Ryan will lead the creator advisory council, while Vanessa will take on the deputy role.

The full 2026 Creator Advisory is:

• Ryan Jon Dunn (@ryan.jon) (lead)
• Vanessa Li (@vnessali) (deputy lead)
• Alessia Allfree (@tazandalessia)
• Dr Kristyn Sommer (@drkristynsommer)
• Hannah English (@hannah_english)
• Brad Canning (@bradcanning)
• Matty Fahd (@matty_ef)
• Matt Johnson (@MattyJ)
• Nicole Ward (@PrincessHoneybelle)
• Stephanie de Sousa (@steph_cooks_stuff)
• Stephen Lloyd-Coombs (@Reapz)
• Taz Zammit (@tazandalessia)

AiMCO Chair, Jason, said, “We are excited to announce our 2026 board of directors. With so much momentum behind the national influencer marketing sector, it’s imperative to have a board that represents the full gamut of the industry.

"We’re thrilled to have Ryan and Vanessa in director roles -- they bring a unique, creator led perspective to the board, which will be critical as we continue to lead best practice and innovation in the national influencer marketing space.”

He added, “I’d like to thank our outgoing board members, Ashley Earnshaw, group commercial director, Nova Entertainment and Willem Paling, head of analytics and AI, Insurance Australia Group for their service and dedication -- their efforts have been important in pushing the needle of many of our key initiatives over the past few months.”

Kinesso's chief product officer / SVP -- operational excellence, Andy Holford, who led the AiMCO nominations committee said, “The 2026 board of directors and advisory committees are comprised of people who are leading Australia’s influencer marketing sector. From creators to agency professionals and brand representatives, all our directors and council advisors are highly versed in influencer marketing and bring a nuanced understanding of the sector to their roles.

"We are delighted with the calibre and diversity of the 2026 board and advisory councils -- we look forward to their input.”