Lara Utian-Preston is a vastly experienced and committed communications and strategy expert with a focus on the development of the African creative industries.

Two decades of hands-on experience across Africa, combined with her intensive research and training expertise, have provided her with the big-picture insights that have made her one of the leading voices in the space. Her career has spanned work from the coal-face of producing concerts and film festivals, to strategic consulting and project management for non-profits, top brands, and events.

After nearly fifteen years at the helm of the well-known publicity and communications agency that she founded in 2006, Red Flag Media, Lara has more recently moved into a consulting, training and strategic role. As a committed believer in Africa-Futurism and firmly optimistic about the future of the continent, Lara is focusing her energies on forming strategic partnerships, developing strategies for viable events and interventions in the film space, and on training and development.

With 10 years’ experience in the media and communications industry, Journalism graduate Chanelle Ellaya is a seasoned Writer and Editor with wide-ranging experience spanning the publishing, digital and television industries.

After five years as Editor of Screen Africa magazine – Africa’s oldest film and advertising publication – Chanelle joined the Ladima Foundation as website and social media manager, and now Project Coordinator of the Ladima Film Academy.

Chanelle strongly believes in the power of media and content, in all forms, as a tool to ignite change in society. When she’s not working, you can find her indulging her love for live music and documentaries.

Adenike is an experienced trade and investment specialist and business environment reform expert with over 15 years’ experience advising the Nigerian Government on policy reforms and business environment reforms and investment promotion policy strategies and tactics.
She currently consults for clients like the World Bank, DFID, GIZ and EU programmes overseeing the design and delivery of interventions that promote sustainable investment, public-private dialogue and business environment reforms across multiple economic sectors.