Publisher Welcomes Six New Board Members

PublisHer, the global movement advancing gender equality and women’s leadership in publishing, has appointed of six new board members, effective 1 December 2025.

Four new members join the PublisHer Advisory Board as industry experts, bringing a wealth of knowledge and leadership from across the global publishing landscape, including Perminder Mann – CEO, Simon & Schuster UK and International; Karine Pansa – CEO, Girassol Brasil and former President, International Publishers Association (2023–2024); Nitasha Devasar – Managing Director, Taylor & Francis India & South Asia; and Nadia Wassef – Author and Co-founder, Diwan Bookstores.

Each of these leaders has played a decisive role in shaping the publishing industry in their respective regions. Their perspectives will enrich PublisHer’s ongoing mission to support women across all facets of the sector, from policy and production to leadership and innovation.

In parallel, PublisHer is also enhancing its governance with the creation of a Corporate Board Member seats, designed to bring in strategic private-sector insights. The first Corporate Board Members are:Asma Al Fahim – Founder and CEO, Arabian Publishing Media and Asma Siddiq Al Mutawa – Founder and Chairperson, Al Multaqa Literary Salon,

They join existing Advisory Board members Lisa Lyons Johnston, GeumJoo Lin and Sandra Tamele, under the leadership of PublisHer Founder and Chair of the Board, Bodour Al Qasimi. The expanded board will support the organization’s evolving strategy, which includes high-profile summits, mentoring networks, publishing excellence awards, and partnerships with leading institutions and book fairs worldwide.

“These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for PublisHer,” said Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder of PublisHer. “Having bold, diverse voices at the table is part of how we grow our reach and ambition. I’m excited to welcome six more exceptional women, whose leadership and experience will guide PublisHer into the next phase of global impact.”