STM, the global voice of scholarly publishing, has announced three strategic leadership promotions aimed at reinforcing its commitment to innovation, equity, and trusted research within the scholarly communications sector. Effective January 1, 2025, the appointments reflect STM’s focus on advancing its mission and expanding its global impact.
Leila Jones has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, where she will provide operational leadership and drive cross-functional coordination across STM’s initiatives. Known for her instrumental work as Director of Strategic Programmes, Leila has a proven track record of delivering results in alignment with STM’s strategic pillars.
With over 20 years of experience in scholarly publishing, including roles at Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, Nature Publishing Group, and Wiley, Leila brings unparalleled expertise to her new role. As COO, she will play a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless execution of STM’s strategic objectives.
In an expanded leadership role, Sarah Phibbs has been named Director of Equity & Inclusion. Building on her longstanding commitment to fostering sustainability and equity in the publishing ecosystem, Sarah will lead STM’s initiatives to promote equity in scholarly communications.
Sarah will collaborate closely with STM’s Social Responsibility Committee and key partners, raising awareness of equity and inclusion within STM’s membership and the wider publishing industry. She will also continue to manage publisher partnerships for Research4Life while championing efforts to advance global research equity.
Sarah’s extensive experience, including leadership roles at Wiley and contributions to Research4Life’s Strategic Plan and Theory of Change, makes her uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change in this area.
Claudia Russo has been promoted to Senior Manager, Public Affairs Europe, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to STM’s European programme. Since joining STM in 2020 as Regional Manager, Public Affairs Europe, Claudia has excelled in gathering political intelligence, developing effective public affairs strategies, and building strong relationships with European institutions.
With expertise in digital policy and an ability to translate complex policy developments into actionable strategies, Claudia’s promotion underscores her vital role in advancing STM’s public affairs initiatives across Europe.
With these strategic appointments, STM reaffirms its dedication to strengthening the foundations of scholarly publishing while championing a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable future for research worldwide.
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