Global communications expert Heather Pubols who has served on Christian Daily International’s editorial team will take on the leadership of Media Associates International (MAI), a network that aims to equip global publishers and writers to create excellent content that enriches the Church and influences society. MAI announced that she will become its next CEO on November 11.
Pubols who has lived in five countries in North America, Africa and Europe and traveled to more than 50 nations brings over two decades of experience in cross-cultural settings training communicators and journalists.
When serving with Wycliffe Global Alliance, she built a global photojournalism team. She later went on to become a global communications consultant in 2018 and then editorial director of Evangelical Missions Quarterly in 2021. She received several awards from the Evangelical Press Association recognizing her success at completely revamping the missions magazine with a new modern look and insightful content that challenges missions thinking on contemporary issues.
“One of my key callings is building bridges that amplify the voices of the marginalized,” Pubols said, adding that she hopes to expand the global conversation of believers through the equipping of Christian publishing staff and writers in the Majority World.
“With a church in every geopolitical nation, the ground has been tilled for a more extensive global Christian conversation than ever before. We see glimpses of this, yet gaps remain in this becoming a normative reality. I’m excited to be part of continuing MAI’s work to bring this to fruition.”
In a press release, MAI said that Pubols “was unanimously and enthusiastically elected by the Board of Directors,” and Board Chair Anna Piro highlighted Pubols’s “extensive global experience and a wealth of knowledge.”
“For many years Heather has been committed to giving a voice to Christians around the world. She is a unique and gifted leader. God brought MAI to Heather’s attention at just the right time, and He has given her a commitment and passion for this work,” commented Dan Elliott of the MAI Board’s CEO Search Committee.
Early last year, Pubols joined the steering group that prepared for the launch of CDI on December 12, 2023, and has since served as Acting Managing Editor and Global Editorial Advisor.
CDI Executive Editor Timothy Goropevsek congratulated Pubols on her appointment, saying, “All of us at CDI are thrilled to hear that Heather will take on the leadership at MAI. I couldn’t imagine a better fit for this role as Heather brings not only the passion, experience and deep cultural and spiritual insights needed for such a global network, but also because she is pure joy to work with and has a profound love for serving the next generation of communicators.”
“We are also pleased that she will continue to serve CDI in an advisory role, which I’m sure will provide many opportunities for synergies between CDI, MAI and many others who seek to serve the global Church through journalism and publishing,” he added.
Pubols will officially take on her new role at MAI’s LittWorld 2024 conference in Puebla, Mexico, in early November where she will succeed John Maust on his retirement after 25 years in the position.
