For the first time in its history, PROI Worldwide has appointed women to its top leadership positions, naming Angela Scaffidi, (pictured), as Global Chair and Nicola Nel as Global Managing Director.PROI (Public Relations Organisation International) is a global network of independent public relations and communications agencies. Angela Scaffidi, founder and managing partner of Australian consultancy SenateSHJ, brings a wealth of experience from her work with clients across the public, private, and non-profit sectors in Australasia. A long-serving member of the PROI Board for the APAC region, Scaffidi is also a fellow of Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA) and a member of Chief Executive Women in Australia. With a background at McKinsey & Company and Turnbull Porter Novelli, Angela serves on the boards of Challenge: supporting kids with cancer, McAuley Community Services for Women, and chairs The Missed Foundation. A skilled facilitator and trainer, she has taught at RMIT University and held leadership roles in the Public Relations Institute of Australia and PROI Worldwide.“This appointment is an honour. I look forward to working with my partners and friends across the globe to grow the PROI’s influence in our industry. Together we have a team of 8,800 people around the world. It’s a powerful force to drive positive change, both in our industry and society. I’m excited to help our partners to flex their entrepreneurial muscle, continue to grow and make an even greater impact on the world,” Scaffidi said.  Nicola Nel, who founded Atmosphere Communications in South Africa over twenty years ago and grew it into a leading PR consultancy before its acquisition by Accenture Song in 2021, expressed her excitement about her new role. “I'm thrilled to take on the role of global managing director. The independent network model fosters a spirit of collaboration and innovation that excites me. I firmly believe that the work of independent communications agencies will play an integral role in the marketing mix going forward and networks such as PROI hold the key to the future of our industry. I'm eager to work alongside PROI's talented entrepreneurial agency owners to shape that future," said Nicola Nel. Nel succeeds Jeff Altheide, who is retiring after nearly 45 years in public relations. Scaffidi is the second woman to hold the global chair position in PROI's 50+ year history, while Nel becomes the third global managing director.