Internal Digital Communications Conference Speakers & Leaders

Speakers for Unleashing Innovation In Internal Digital Communications 2026

Now accepting speaker proposals! Contact Victoria with your presentation ideas: vt@globalexecutiveevents.com

Tanja Kliphuis

Sr. Corporate and Internal Communications Professional,
Rabobank
Netherlands

Tanja Kliphuis

Tanja Kliphuis (1969) is a creative, versatile and straightforward senior communications professional with a strong background in marketing and expertise in both internal and external communication. Tanja began her career at Rabobank as a management trainee in 1992 and has since held various roles in Account Management, Product Development, Marketing, and Communications. She has gained experience in brand identity, sustainability, issue management crisis and transformation communication and internal branding campaigns. In 2024, she completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Corporate Communication at the Erasmus University, Rotterdam. For her thesis, she studied the ways in which sustainability can be integrated into business operations, and what the role internal communications plays in this process.

Stefano Orengo

Global Senior Internal Communication Advisor,
RINA
Italy

Stefano Orengo

Stefano is Global Senior Internal Communication Advisor at RINA: he spends his days trying to make sure 6,500+ colleagues across the world get the right message at the right time. His job sits at the crossroads of communication, culture and digital transformation: he oversees the evolution of Hive, RINA Digital Workplace and champion a global mindset through RINA Ambassador Programme. From email campaigns to digital events and culture-building initiatives, his mission is simple: make internal communication feel like something people actually want to engage with. Before joining RINA, he collaborated with several European organisations in sport, innovation and culture, learning how to translate complex ideas into simple, human messages. He’s passionate about technology, user experience and all things digital - mostly because he considers himself a tough audience: short attention span, easily bored… the perfect internal comms stress test. If he wouldn’t read it, he definitely won’t send it.

Andrew Borthwick

Global Head of Internal Communications,
Skyscanner
United Kingdom

Andrew Borthwick

Maaike van Wissen-Buwalda

Senior HR Director Global HQ | BNL,
Coty
Netherlands

Maaike van Wissen-Buwalda

Dr. Ingo Hofacker

Chief Executive Officer,
movingimage
Germany

Dr. Ingo Hofacker

Dr. Ingo Hofacker is a technology-driven leader with over 20 years of experience in telecommunications, software, and strategy consulting. He has led growth, transformation, and restructuring efforts in corporate, mid-sized, and start-up environments. His most notable roles include CEO of movingimage, senior executive positions at Deutsche Telekom and Telstra (AUS), and a solid foundation in strategy consulting at Bain & Company.

Nele Dugardijn

Internal Communications Lead,
Deloitte
Netherlands

Nele Dugardijn

Marielle Harsveldt - Terlaakaak

Director Corporate & People Communications,
Aegon Asset Management
Netherlands

Marielle Harsveldt - Terlaakaak

Marielle Harsveldt‑Terlaak is Director of Corporate & People Communications at Aegon Asset Management, where she leads strategic internal communication, culture and transformation initiatives. With more than 20 years of experience across internal and external communications, she is known for her conversational, people‑centric approach that strengthens strategic alignment, leadership visibility, drives engagement, and helps embed new values and behaviors across global organizations. A seasoned facilitator, speaker and panelist, Marielle focuses on connecting people, translating strategy into compelling narratives, and enabling leaders to guide their teams through change.

Hendrik de Wit

Group Director Communications,
Refresco
Netherlands

Hendrik de Wit

Hendrik is an experienced and ambitious communications director, pushing boundaries across the entire company and beyond. With a strong sense for strategy, he brings corporate communications to the next level by building strong teams and helping business leaders to be successful in bringing strategies to life. With a passion to drive change, he lead the communications function in the widest sense of the word. Hendrik is Group Director Communications at Refresco.

Erwin van der Vlist

Co-Founder,
Speakap
United States

Erwin van der Vlist

Erwin van der Vlist is Co-Founder of Speakap, the frontline employee app used by mid-market and enterprise companies in manufacturing, logistics, retail, hospitality, and healthcare. He started Speakap in Amsterdam in 2011, after experiencing firsthand the communication breakdown between head office and frontline workers during his time as a grocery retail store manager. Today, Speakap operates across the USA, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and the UK, serving organizations in more than 100 countries. Erwin works with communication and HR leaders to help them replace fragmented channels like WhatsApp, bulletin boards, and email with a single branded platform their frontline employees actually use.

Ana Spătariu

Global Internal Communications Specialist,
Hunkemöller
Netherlands

Ana Spătariu

Magdalena Manevska

Social Media Director Communications & Brand,
Philips
Netherlands

Magdalena Manevska

Magdalena heads up social media communications at Philips, building brand love and reputation strength for the global health technology leader. Caring after a brand loved by many, all around the world, is one of the greatest privileges of her life. Her passion lies in helping large, complex organizations to discover the power of social media and utilize it at scale. She’s been asked to make things ‘go viral’ many times over and loves those gems of moments when it actually works. She appreciates good coffee, cute dogs, and most of all – her team.

Margriet Bruggeman

Chapter Lead,
ING
Netherlands

Margriet Bruggeman

Margriet boasts a two-decade career in the IT industry, predominantly centered around Microsoft technology. Her journey began as a software developer, and she was among the first eleven globally to receive the prestigious SharePoint Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award. Margriet’s expertise has garnered her a total of 5 MVP awards and recognition through multiple Microsoft Community Contributor (MCC) awards. Beyond accolades, Margriet has authored, co-authored, and contributed to thirteen books published by respected names like MS Press, Manning Press, and APress. She has also penned numerous articles for professional journals and actively participated as a speaker at events such as MS TechNet and SharePoint Connection. Currently, Margriet holds the position of ING Chapter Lead for Employee Engagement, combining managerial responsibilities with technical expertise. This position is not only well-suited for Margriet but also thoroughly enjoyable.

Maddeleen Hop

Internal Communications Coordinator,
Picnic Technologies
Netherlands

Maddeleen Hop

Maddeleen is Internal Communications Coordinator at Picnic, where she ensures that over 20,000 employees and 500+ team leads stay informed, engaged, and empowered to perform at their best. She develops internal campaigns and creates content that connects teams and shows Picnic's inspiring culture. Together with the International Communications & Engagement team, she works toward the ultimate goal: making Picnic the best place to work. Previously, Maddeleen worked at Coolblue and Student Experience, and spent 1.5 years as a digital nomad traveling through Southeast Asia while working remotely for StaffTraveler.

Mégane Lily Osborne

Head of Internal Communications,
SBM Offshore
Portugal

Mégane Lily Osborne

Megane Lily Osborne is Head of Internal Communications at SBM Offshore, leading global communication strategies that support business transformation, employee engagement, and organizational alignment across a complex, international environment. With a multidisciplinary background spanning corporate finance, internal and corporate communications, change management, and experience management, Megane brings a holistic perspective that connects business strategy with employee and customer experience. Experience also includes leading employer branding and country-level communications initiatives, in close collaboration with local and global stakeholders, to strengthen reputation and engagement. Megane is passionate about positioning internal communications as a strategic driver of trust, performance, and long-term value creation.

Sarah Mielke

Corporate Communications Manager,
Henkel
Germany

Sarah Mielke

Sarah Mielke is an experienced Corporate Communications Manager at Henkel, where she drives data-based internal communications on internal channels. Her work focuses on transforming how employees engage with corporate strategy through globally scalable communication initiatives. She spearheaded Henkel's multi-channel "Content Booster Strategy," recognized externally for its innovation and impact. With a strong track record in campaign development, performance analytics, and channel strategy, she bridges content, culture, and business objectives. Her previous roles in financial services and digital agencies bring a sharp digital edge and agile mindset to her work. A global communicator at heart, she has delivered impactful projects across regions, including an assignment in Dubai.

Cai Kjaer

Chief Executive Officer,
SWOOP Analytics
Australia

Cai Kjaer

Cai Kjaer is the Co-Founder and CEO of SWOOP Analytics, a platform that helps internal communicators move beyond vanity metrics and truly understand how employees connect, collaborate, and communicate across the digital workplace. A Danish-born, Sydney-based entrepreneur, Cai has spent nearly two decades at the intersection of organisational network analysis and internal communications. He is co-author of more than 10 benchmarking reports on the usage patterns of internal digital communication platforms - research that has helped IC professionals worldwide demonstrate the value of their work and make smarter channel decisions. A recognised Microsoft subject matter expert and regular on the international conference circuit, Cai is passionate about helping communicators tackle information overload, harness AI ethically, and go way beyond the "like" button. He brings analytical depth and storytelling warmth in equal measure.

Polina Kuzmina

Internal Communications Business Partner,
Mammoet
Netherlands

Polina Kuzmina

Polina Kuzmina is an Internal Communications Business Partner at Mammoet with a deep background in corporate communications and change management. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated advocate for the strategic value of internal comms. In a previous role, she successfully established an internal communications department from the ground up, effectively demonstrating to leadership how intentional communication serves as a vital backbone for organizational success. Specializing in culture-driven projects, Polina has a natural ability to sense the pulse of an organization and read the room to keep momentum high. She uses this insight to bridge the gap between executive vision and the daily reality of field staff, ensuring that initiatives move forward smoothly and authentically. At the Unleashing Innovation in Internal Digital Communications Summit, Polina is excited to discuss how to turn those "gut feelings" about culture into measurable impact, proving that effective communication is the essential engine behind any successful, innovative organization.

Karina Steens

Corporate Communication Officer,
Royal A-ware
Netherlands

Karina Steens

Karina Steens is Corporate Communication Officer at Royal A-ware Food Group, one of the Netherlands' leading dairy and food producers with over 5,000 employees across 55 branches worldwide. She is responsible for internal communication and employer branding, translating company strategy into content and channels that work for workers on the production floor as much as in the office. Karina leads the development of A-ware Speak, the company's branded employee app, navigating the practical challenges of a multilingual, multi-site, non-desk workforce. She holds a degree in Communication from The Hague University of Applied Sciences and previously held communication roles at Univé and Wedigify.

Gigi von Tscharner

Head of Internal Communications, Corporate Events & Employer Branding,
Audemars Piguet
Switzerland

Gigi von Tscharner

Tanya Pakhuta

Head of Global Internal Communications,
Former LeasePlan
Netherlands

Tanya Pakhuta

Tanya Pakhuta is a global communications and engagement leader with deep experience shaping internal and digital communication strategies across mobility, automotive services and technology‑driven organisations. She spent a decade inside Ayvens (formerly LeasePlan), Canon Europe, and VEON, leading transformation, culture and leadership communication programmes across more than 40 markets. In her last role at LeasePlan (now Ayvens), Tanya served as Head of Global Internal Communications and Communications Integration Lead, where she delivered the communication strategy for Europe’s largest fleet‑management merger, aligning 15,000 employees across 43 countries. She also led the global rebrand rollout internally, including a full relaunch of the internal channel mix. During her time at LeasePlan, she shaped CEO communication, crisis response and global digital engagement programmes for 8,000 employees, including initiatives that contributed to an 87% employee engagement score. Tanya now works independently, helping organisations and their employees navigate complexity, change, and growth.

Nikki Kimpel

Global Internal Communications Manager,
The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Netherlands

Nikki Kimpel

Nikki Kimpel is the Global Internal Communications Manager for the Ice Cream division at Unilever, where she draws on seven years of experience across Marketing, Commerce, and HR to foster impactful internal engagement. In the midst of Unilever’s demerger of its Ice Cream business, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth transition for the 19,000 employees moving to The Magnum Ice Cream Company. Nikki is deeply committed to building inclusive communities that support every employee—from factory line-workers to executives.

Janine Krönung

Managing Director,
FGS Global
Netherlands

Janine Krönung

Janine Krönung is Managing Director in FGS Global's Strategy & Reputation practice, specializing in future-proof communications and transformation. She helps leadership teams redesign their communication functions from the inside out, building the operating models, strategies, and AI-integrated approaches needed for what's coming, not what's worked before. With over 20 years of international experience across banking and manufacturing, Janine has guided organizations through structural transformation, M&A, and the kind of disruption that can't be adapted around. Before joining FGS Global, she held senior roles at ING, advising boards across Germany, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and at AkzoNobel, where she led global communications teams and standardized M&A communication practice. This is her second time speaking at the Unleashing Innovation in Internal Digital Communications Summit, and she is based in Amsterdam.

Bahar Gök

Internal Communications Channel Manager,
Atradius
Netherlands

Bahar Gök

Bahar Gok works as an Internal Communication Channel Manager at Atradius, where she shapes governance for the digital workplace. She focuses on the effective use of Microsoft collaboration tools such as SharePoint and Teams, ensuring the application of clear, practical governance rules that protect the business and support people. Originally from Türkiye and now based in the Netherlands for four years, Bahar works at the centre of SharePoint transformation, data lifecycle management, and intranet governance. She brings business and IT teams together to deliver solutions that are secure, scalable, and easy to use. Her work ensures that intranet content stays up to date while keeping collaboration simple and effective. Bahar designs approaches that focus on governance and content, with clear standards for retention, compliance, and user experience. She is passionate about improving the digital workplace through automation and identifying practical solutions that make governance easier to help colleagues at Atradius.

Baran Basimi

Senior People Development Marketing Specialist,
HERE Technologies
Netherlands

Baran Basimi

Valerie Babkina

Global Strategic Internal Communications ,
Flix
Germany

Valerie Babkina

Valerie Babkina is a Senior Global Internal Communications Manager at Flix, where she leads strategic internal communications initiatives across global markets. Her work focuses on executive and leadership communications, organizational change, employee alignment, and communication strategies that support business transformation in fast-paced international environments. With experience across the tech and mobility sectors, Valerie has shaped internal communication strategies supporting leadership alignment, organizational transformation, and business change across global markets. She partners closely with leadership to drive clarity, consistency, and alignment across organizations during periods of growth and change. Valerie is particularly passionate about purpose-driven internal communications that strengthen trust, enable transparency, and help employees better connect business strategy with day-to-day execution. Her approach combines strategic thinking with practical communication frameworks that support alignment across global and cross-functional teams.

Dennis Agusi

Head of Digital Communications,
Philips
Netherlands

Dennis Agusi

Federico Serrano

Lead, Global Communicationse,
Booking.com
Netherlands

Federico Serrano

Leen Zidan

Senior Sales Development Representative,
ContactMonkey
Canada

Leen Zidan

Jean Loh

Employee Engagement Director, Global,
L'Oréal
France

Jean Loh

Xeniya Shilina

Senior Program Manager, Global Change Communication,
Medtronic
Netherlands

Xeniya Shilina

Xeniya Shilina is a seasoned communications leader with 14 years of experience across the healthcare, telecommunications, and manufacturing industries. In her current role at Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, she has led global and regional communications strategies for major transformation programs and co-developed the Change Communications Center of Excellence. Xeniya is also an APMG-certified change manager.

Zsombor Szabo

Co-Founder and Wellbeing Coach,
Balance
Netherlands

Zsombor Szabo

Co-Founder & Wellbeing Coach at Balance. After leading teams in fast-paced tech environments, Zsombor witnessed the growing impact of stress and mental-health-related absence firsthand. Since co-founding Balance, he has guided over 10,000 employees through practical stress-reduction workshops.

Saara Nurmi

Internal Communications Manager,
Adidas
Netherlands

Saara Nurmi

Caroline Rheubottom

VP Communications & Workplace Operations,
Pipedrive
United Kingdom

Caroline Rheubottom

Danielle Ann Jewett

Account Executive,
LumApps
Europe

Danielle Ann Jewett

Muneeb Siddiqui

Account Manager,
Happeo
Netherlands

Muneeb Siddiqui

Mandy Burger

Internal Communication Specialist,
Visma
Norway

Mandy Burger

Rosie Barrett

Communications and Engagement Consultant,
Workvivo by Zoom
United Kingdom

Rosie Barrett

Rosie Barrett is an Internal Communications and Engagement Consultant at Workvivo by Zoom, where she focuses on helping organisations strengthen their culture and connect employees through purposeful communication and engagement strategies. With expertise in internal communications, employee engagement and employee experience, Rosie partners with clients to maximise the value of the Workvivo employee experience platform - bringing people together, enhancing connection, and inspiring engagement across distributed teams. She is known for her ability to create moments and systems that help employees feel seen, heard, and aligned with organisational culture.