APO Group has strengthened its influence in global communications leadership following the appointment of Rania El Rafie as Chair of the Public Sector & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee for the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Stevie® Awards.
The appointment reinforces APO Group’s leadership in shaping strategic communications excellence across Africa and the Middle East.
APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), Africa’s leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, announced that El Rafie, who serves as Vice President of Public Relations & Strategic Communications, will lead the prestigious judging panel for the 2025 awards cycle.
The Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards rank among the world’s most respected business honours. They celebrate innovation, leadership, and measurable impact across public and private sectors in the MENA region. As a result, the judging process demands deep regional understanding and global best practices.
In her role as Chair, El Rafie handpicked a high-level judging committee made up of senior communications and business leaders. Together, the panel blends regional expertise with international experience, ensuring fair, rigorous, and culturally informed evaluations.
The judging committee includes:
- Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications & Marketing Services Director, Canon Middle East & Central and North Africa
- Sean Muir, Director of Public Relations, GITEX Portfolio, Dubai World Trade Centre
- Laila Bastati, Chief Commercial Officer, APO Group
- Mohamed Elwagih, Group Corporate Communications Manager, Mantrac Group
Commenting on the appointment, El Rafie described the role as both a professional milestone and a reflection of APO Group’s growing global impact.
“Chairing a Stevie® Awards judging committee is a true honour,” she said. “Effective communication today demands trust, accountability, and measurable results. Therefore, I selected leaders who understand complex, multi-market environments and uphold the highest international standards.”
She added that the committee looks forward to identifying and celebrating the region’s most compelling public sector and thought leadership success stories.
With more than 22 years of experience, Cairo-based El Rafie has delivered award-winning communications strategies across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Her client portfolio includes Emirates, Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, Marriott, Afreximbank, GITEX, MSD, and Western Union.
In 2024, APO Group appointed her as its first internally promoted Vice President, marking a major leadership milestone. Subsequently, in 2025, the Stevie® Awards named her Most Innovative Woman of the Year, while industry leaders ranked her among Africa’s Top 50 Outstanding Women in Communications.
Ultimately, El Rafie’s appointment underscores her reputation as one of the region’s most influential communications leaders. At the same time, it highlights APO Group’s continued role in advising governments, multinational corporations, and institutions across diverse markets.
