The 2026 LIONS Impact cohorts are confirmed

LIONS has finalised the cohorts for its Impact initiatives; the ERA Programme, Jodi Harris Scholarship, LIONS Scholarship, and the See It Be It talent programme. Designed to offer equitable access to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the LIONS Impact initiatives provide funded opportunities for historically underrepresented talent to engage with the global creative industry. The 73rd edition of the Festival takes place from 22 to 26 June in Cannes, France.

Frank Starling, Chief DEI Officer, LIONS, said: “Creativity has the potential to be harnessed for good. Innovation thrives when everyone has equitable access to opportunities. Through the LIONS Impact initiatives – ERA Programme, Jodi Harris Scholarship, LIONS Scholarship and the See It Be It Programme – we are proud to open doors for exceptional talent from around the world, enabling them to access the unparalleled opportunities that the Festival offers. LIONS Impact is more than a gateway; it’s a catalyst for progress, driving the industry forward and demonstrating the transformative power of creativity to build a more inclusive and equitable future. Congratulations to all the 2026 cohorts. We look forward to welcoming you to Cannes and seeing the lasting impact you will leave on the industry.”

ERA Programme

Designed to foster a diverse and inclusive representation of talent within the creative industry, the Equity, Representation and Accessibility (ERA) Programme gives recipients the opportunity to experience Cannes Lions, engage with the global industry and celebrate groundbreaking creativity.

The programme will welcome a variety of grass roots and community organisations alongside global charities organisations and charities from across the creative industry to the Festival. Recipients for 2026 include The Lotus Flower, Open Chair, Digilearning Foundation, Mantra Social Services and more.

Jodi Harris Scholarship

The Jodi Harris Scholarship, in partnership with AB InBev, offers 10 emerging marketing leaders a fully-funded, curated programme – including exclusive sessions with industry experts and the AB InBev executive marketing team, and VIP access to Festival content and the Awards shows. For 2026, Stacey Mukasa, Product Marketing Manager, Meta, USA, will return as the Programme Lead. In her role Mukasa will work closely with the cohort to elevate their experience at the Festival.

The cohort are named as follows:

• Arth Dodeja | Brand Manager – Dettol, Reckitt, India
• Deborah Tran | Senior Brand Manager – M&M’s, Mars Snacking, Australia
• Gui Moraes | Global Senior Marketing Manager, Unilever, Brazil / UK
• Mariana Páez-Pumar Branger | Head of Marketing, Cashea, Venezuela
• Mohak Bhatia | Brand Lead, Pepsi Cola, PepsiCo, India
• Monika Nikolova | Senior Brand Manager Heinz, Kraft Heinz, Europe & Pacific Developed Markets
• Nicole Godreau | Global Creative Strategist, USA
• Hoang Thuy Tien | Global Brand Manager, Unilever, Vietnam / Singapore
• Tshwanelo Fokazi | Social Media Manager, Nedbank Group, South Africa
• Yeşim Erişmiş | NESCAFÉ Europe Marketing Lead, Nestlé, the Netherlands

LIONS Scholarship

Designed to support the next generation of underrepresented talent, the LIONS Scholarship offers 10 young creatives from around the world a fully-funded place on the Cannes Lions Brand Marketers and Creative Academies. The Academies take place during the Festival, and each will welcome five Scholarship recipients.

The cohort are named as follows:

• Abraham Reinaldo Zavala Treviño | Tecate Sr. Brand Executive, Heineken México, México
• Ayoyemi Oladipo | Writer and Content Producer, Freelance, Nigeria
• Carolina Chaparro | Brand Manager, Alicorp, Perú
• Catherine Nathasya | Copywriter, Dentsu Creative, Indonesia
• Javaad Ahmed | Creative, Talented, India
• Kaelan Ashford-Jones | Sr. Coordinator, Global Brand Manager, Major League Baseball, USA
• Le Ngoc Thien Trang | Business Development Manager, Nestlé, Vietnam
• Marion Manabat | Senior Art Director, Ogilvy, the Philippines
• Merlyn Koh | Product Marketing Manager, Google, Singapore / APAC
• Sabrina Rachid | Motion Designer, GUT Design, Brazil

See It Be It

Founded in 2014, the four-day learning programme is designed to combat the gender imbalance of creative directors in the industry by equipping women and non-binary creatives with the tools that will help their career progression. The programme includes mentorship, masterclasses with industry leaders, backstage access and sessions tailored towards each person’s goals.

The cohort are named as follows:

• Aidovhioghie Anani | Deputy Creative Director, X3M Ideas, Nigeria
• Alba Abelló Balmes | Senior Creative, Twitch, UK
• Beatriz Fiori | Senior Copywriter, GUT São Paulo, Brazil
• Dana Buckhorn | Creative Director, Copywriter, Mischief @ No Fixed Address, USA
• Eugene Park | Creative Excellence Lead, CJ Cheiljedang, South Korea
• Farah El Beaini | Group Account Director, Burson, Lebanon / UAE
• Haylie Craig | Global Associate Creative Director, LEGO Group, Denmark (they/them)
• Hilary Ngan Kee | Head of Strategy, Motion Sickness, Aotearoa New Zealand
• Holly Attrill | Senior Creative, Wieden+Kennedy London, UK
• Kristen Gaerlan | Creative Director, Weber Shandwick, USA
• Liesl Lategan - Kyriakou | Founder/Executive Producer, Spitfire Films, South Africa
• Liyana Hidhir | Copywriter, Independent, Singapore
• Micaelle Lages | Creative Director & Co-Founder, thecode, Brazil
• Natalie Narh | Co-Founder & CEO, NewComma, Ghana
• Padcha Tanviruch | Independent Creative Director, Thailand
• Priscila Ramos de Sousa | Associate Creative Director, Area 23, USA
• Shreya Arora | Creative Strategy, Ultrahuman, India
• Shyaire Ganglani | Associate Creative Director (Copywriter), Leo Australia, Australia
• Svetlana Ćopić | Founder & Creative Director, No Agency, Serbia
• Valentina Bezzolo Briceño | Senior Creative Copywriter, DDB Chile, Chile

Further information on the LIONS Impact initiatives and how to apply can be found here.