Celebrating its 10th year, Next Creative Leaders (NCL), is created in partnership with The 3% Movement as the industry's only free portfolio competition that aims to identify, celebrate and provide a global platform to talented women, non-binary and trans creatives who are making their mark on the world with both their work and unique point of view on creative leadership that's aiming to change the industry for the better, says the organisation.

NCL 2025 winners in the Middle East and Africa region are as follows:

  • Raya Abujaber, Creative Director of VML Amman.
  • Revati Anilkumar Patil, Associate Design Director of Leo Burnett Dubai.
  • Divya Buddhdev, Associate Creative Director of Ogilvy Africa, Nairobi.
  • Archna Singh, Freelance Creative Director in Dubai.
  • Jasmin Vandersteen, Copywriter, and Zainab Mitha, Art Director (team) at Joe Public, Durban.

The complete list of NCL 2025 winners can be viewed on The One Club website.

NCL 2025 entries are judged by a jury of 59 top creatives from 23 countries. The complete NCL 2025 shortlist and archive of past NCL winners, sorted by year using the dropdown menu, can be viewed on The One Club website, says the organisation.

A special virtual NCL winners celebration is held on Thursday, November 6, and include a celebration of all winners and discussion with winners over the years. More details and registration for the online event can be via The One Club website, adds the organisation.

"For more than two decades, The One Club has provided programming that helps improve the industry's diversity and gender equality," says Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club. "Next Creative Leaders is one of our fast-growing programmes because it identifies, elevates and gives voice to creatives around the world who are making a real difference, opening doors and inspiring the next generation."

Eligible participants for NCL are those who are stepping into leadership roles, including copywriters, art directors, designers, ACDs, content creators, recently promoted creative and design directors with less than one year in the role and creative teams who are aiming to do game-changing work. To make NCL as accessible as possible, there is no fee to enter, says the organisation.

They are judged on four-to-six pieces of creative work and information about how they — and their work — are pushing the industry forward and making a positive contribution in terms of diversity, mentoring and advocacy, adds the organisation.

Each NCL winner receives a one-year complimentary individual membership with The One Club, with opportunities to serve on juries for one of The One Club's awards programmes, and receive a complimentary ticket to a One Club professional development conference (USD$1 000+ value), panels and mentorship events, says the organisation.

Winners also have their work showcased on The One Club website and social channels, covered by media partners, and have potential opportunities to speak at NCL events, adds the organisation.

Branding for Next Creative Leaders 2025 is designed by Du Nieto, an NCL 2021 winner who serves as lead designer at Revolut, and independent creative at dadada.work. Font for the branding — Romie Light Italic — is donated by Margot Lévêque Studio, based in New York, concludes the organisation.

For more information, visit www.oneclub.org. You can also follow The One Club on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or on TikTok.

*Image courtesy of the contributor