Stella Marion Athieno, a respected Ugandan strategic communication expert and agency leader, has been appointed Senior Coordinator for the East Africa Interest Group on the newly elected Regional Executive Board of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Africa.
Her appointment was announced during the association’s Annual General Meeting on June 25, 2025.
Athieno’s appointment is not just a personal milestone—it reflects the growing influence of East African communicators in shaping Africa’s narrative on the global stage. As Senior Coordinator, she will spearhead engagement, knowledge-sharing, and regional visibility efforts across East Africa’s communication community.
“I am honoured to support IABC Africa in advancing strategic communication excellence across the continent. I believe in the power of authentic, ethical, and research-driven communication to drive growth, inspire leadership, and shape Africa’s global narrative. This role aligns with my passion for empowering communicators to create meaningful impact within their organisations and communities.”
Her appointment comes at a time when IABC Africa is expanding its focus on professional development and elevating African voices globally. Led by incoming Chair Dr Yemi Adeyemi, the new board aims to deepen member engagement and unlock opportunities for communication professionals across the continent.
Athieno’s rise to regional leadership is grounded in a solid track record. Athieno currently serves as Secretary General of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) and brings to the role over a decade of diverse experience in strategic corporate communications and public relations. She also trains professionals in internal communication, crisis management, and PR writing, and continues to offer consultancy services through Scanad Africa.
Athieno is a strategic and results-driven professional with expertise in stakeholder engagement, media relations, crisis communication, digital PR, and reputation management. Her career spans industries such as telecom, finance, aviation, manufacturing, government, and NGOs.
She has worked with global and local brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Guinness, Emirates, MTV, Yara International, Reckitt Benckiser, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, honing her ability to manage complex communications, build trusted stakeholder relationships, and drive impactful results aligned with strategic business objectives.
She holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), an MBA from Makerere University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Kampala International University, among other certifications.
Her appointment to the IABC Africa Board coincided with her birthday—an inspiring gift that symbolises both recognition and responsibility. As she steps into her continental role, Athieno remains rooted in Kampala, where she continues to mentor young professionals and champion thought leadership in the fast-evolving communications landscape.
The AGM also saw the appointment of Dr Yemi Adeyemi as Chair of the new Regional Executive Board. Other elected board members include: Christine Breet – Vice Chair; Camilla Osborne – Past Chair/Director of Governance; Theresa Lee – Treasurer; Riana Siden – Director of Professional Development & Events; Chisim Chukwu Ndunaga – Director of West Africa Interest Group; Carol Warui – Director of East Africa Interest Group; and Elsabe Coetzee – Director of Quills Awards.
