People

From post-Soviet Siberia to the siege of Sarajevo, Kandahar to Kyiv, Whit has helped to understand and influence the conditions, perceptions and narratives that have fuelled many of the pivotal crucibles of the past three decades.

Whit began his career in 1991 by founding and editing newspapers in Novosibirsk and in Vladivostok, Russia, then worked as a magazine staff writer in Hong Kong, and a CBS News correspondent in war-time Sarajevo and in Seoul. Based in Istanbul as a fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs, for two years Whit explored the interaction between religion and power in Turkey, Iran, and the southern Balkans. Whit has carried out field research around the world and published books on Kosovo and Afghanistan

Whit has drawn on this wealth of on-the-ground experience to lead multifunctional teams and advise prime ministers, ambassadors, generals, and the United Nations on how to maximise and optimise their influence in Ukraine, the Balkans, northern Europe, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Caucasus, and Southeast Asia. He established Mason Change Communications to deliver the UK’s strategic communication support to Ukraine during the tumultuous period following the Euromaidan and Russia’s first invasion. He has written speeches delivered in the UN Security Council, the North Atlantic Council, and Sandhurst.

Whit studied the history of ideas at the Universities of Washington and Oregon, international relations at Cambridge, law at the University of New South Wales, and philosophy, theology, and religion at the University of Lucerne. He is a member of HMG’s Civilian Deployment Group and an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. He has published books on Kosovo and Afghanistan and is currently writing a book about the role of the Orthodox churches in Putin’s war against Ukraine.

Stacia Philips has spent more than two decades shaping the stories that shape our world. From transforming newsroom culture to leading high-stakes coverage, she knows how to inspire teams, engage audiences, and deliver results. Today, as a principal at Prevail Communications Advisors, she brings that same vision and impact to clients navigating change.

At ABC News, Stacia sat at the very centre of America’s media conversation. As Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, she steered editorial strategy and talent for powerhouse programmes including Good Morning America, World News Tonight, The View, This Week, 20/20 and Nightline. Reporting directly to the President of America’s #1 news network, she shaped editorial direction across broadcasts watched by millions every day, strengthening ABC’s voice in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Previously, as Vice President & General Manager of ABC News Audio, Stacia drove strategy, business development, and operations across ABC’s audio portfolio, from ABC News Radio to its award-winning podcasts. She expanded ABC’s digital footprint, boosting reach and deepening audience engagement across new platforms. She initially joined ABC as the Deputy Bureau Chief in Washington, DC.

Before ABC, Stacia sharpened her editorial edge at CNN, holding senior roles including Director of Coverage at headquarters in Atlanta, Director of News Planning in Washington, D.C., and Senior Supervising Producer for the White House Unit. She led political coverage at the highest level, guiding teams through fast-moving stories from conception to broadcast and oversaw the network’s domestic newsgathering operations, managing more than 40 assignment editors and orchestrating coverage of major breaking events.

Her career has also taken her onto the global stage. As Chief of Television for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, she launched multimedia campaigns during a time of political transformation, trained local journalists, and led crisis communications under intense pressure, ensuring both integrity and impact.

Resilient. Innovative. Impactful. Stacia combines sharp strategy with fearless storytelling, a rare mix that has made her a trusted leader in newsrooms, boardrooms, and beyond. She continues to be a force in modern media, helping organisations cut through the noise, find their voice, and lead with authority.

Stacia holds bachelor’s degrees in Broadcast Television and Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University. She also holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications and Leadership from Seton Hall University.

Dave joined Prevail Communications Advisors in 2025 after a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, both in uniform and as a senior civilian. Most recently, he served as Associate Director of Force Generation and Readiness Assessments in the OPNAV N81 Assessments Division, where he led a team of analysts whose work shaped $120 billion in annual spending decisions. His leadership transformed the branch into the Navy’s premier resource for readiness assessments, directly influencing budget strategy, force structure, and long-term capability investments. He was recognized with the U.S. Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal for this work.

Earlier in his career, Dave managed major Navy training programs, including a $1.8 billion Surface Training Systems portfolio, and oversaw the development of the Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System 3D, which grew from a R&D project into a $100 million cornerstone program of fleet training.

During 23 years on active duty as a Submarine Warfare Officer, Dave served aboard four nuclear-powered submarines, including as second in command of USS AUGUSTA (SSN 710). Ashore, he held leadership roles in submarine modernization, nuclear power training, and as Executive Officer of Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, overseeing a $400 million operations and construction programs supporting humanitarian missions across the Horn of Africa.

A native of Greenwich, Connecticut, Dave holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College, as well as an MBA and an MS in Operations Research from the Florida Institute of Technology.

General Sir James Rupert Everard, KCB, CBE, is widely regarded as one of the most respected and accomplished military leaders of his generation. He served in a series of operational commands in Cyprus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo and Iraq and finished his military career as NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR).

As DSACEUR, Sir James played a central role in the strategic-scale adaptation of the Alliance, leading to a major re-design of the Alliance’s approach to deterrence and defence. His vision and leadership were instrumental in enhancing NATO’s readiness to respond to threats and challenges, securing Allies now, and into the future.

Following his retirement from the British Army, Sir James transitioned into his role as Lead Senior Mentor at Allied Command Operations, where he continues to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of military leaders. He advises a variety of defence-related companies as well as initiatives that foster inclusiveness, including as a member of the LGBT Independent Review Board of Advisors.

Larry Fallin is currently Managing Director, Middle East for the Berkeley Research Group. He has more than 40 years of senior operational management and advisory expertise with organizations across the United States, Europe, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), public and private, ranging in size from Global 100 to startup enterprises. He has been involved in over 10 startups in the USA and KSA primarily in senior roles for strategy and operations. His 40 plus years’ involvement with and in KSA gives him a unique cultural perspective and understanding of “how things work”. He is a strong advocate of, and has been tailoring, the Silicon Valley Model and Dynamic Capabilities for the Kingdom.

He is a specialist in creating strategies, transformations, turnarounds, and organizational value through innovation and creativity. Selected Achievements include:

Larry has led the development of the analytical functions for several agencies within the KSA government. He previously advised the Minster of Housing, KSA, on broad reaching policy issues from evidence-based perspective and analytics.Larry led the investigation of stock manipulation for a publicly traded company in KSA.

Larry led a multi-national team that conducted a detailed feasibility study to establish Car Manufacturing Industry in KSA, project estimated tremendous job gains for Saudis and detailed government support needed to create industry.

Larry led a team of international experts that investigated the effects of a minimum wage on the Saudi Arabia economy.

Larry was the Project Manager and Lead architect for the US Navy’s EMALS and AAG systems (first deployed on USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier) with combined budgets of $350 million and seven years of advanced technology development.

Larry served as Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing for a Fortune 75 company to develop robotic, and AI based manufacturing tools.

Larry is the author of the chapter titled “The New Industries Tourism and Entertainment in a Changing Saudi Arabia” in the book “The Economy of Saudi Arabia in the 21st Century” (Oxford University Press May 2024)

Alex McIntosh is CFO of YouGov, which has a market capitalisation of $1.27 billion, and is one of three executive members of its board of directors. He joined YouGov in 2007 as Corporate Finance Manager within the finance team focusing on planning, budgeting and corporate development. He became Chief Strategy Officer in 2011 and played a leading role in the development of YouGov’s strategic plans and data product developments. Alex also held the role of Chief Executive Officer of YouGov’s UK business from 2015 to 2016. He previously worked in corporate finance advising a wide range of companies on their growth plans and first worked with YouGov in 2005 while at Grant Thornton when he assisted with the Group’s initial public offering on AIM. Alex grew up in Jakarta and has an International Baccalaureate, a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting, an MSc in Finance, and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Major-General Jonathan Shaw is one of the most distinguished soldiers of his generation and a global authority on geo-politics and global threats and opportunities, including cyber. He has 32 years’ experience achieving objectives on operations and an intimate knowledge of government and the development of strategy at the national level in the UK and internationally.

After reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Trinity College, Oxford, Jonathan was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment in 1981. He commanded the Multinational Brigade in Pristina; the Multinational Division in Basra, Iraq; was head of Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of Defence over 9/11; and Director of Special Forces.

Between 2009 and 2012, he was based at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall as Assistant Chief of Defence Staff. His responsibilities included developing UK policy on cybersecurity, a base of experience from which he’s continued to develop his knowledge and refine his thinking about how to manage the risks of cyber-attacks. He was also head of International Security, with specific responsibility for Pakistan, India, the Levant, and both the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. In all these roles and through his portfolio career since retiring from the army Jonathan has developed an anthropological approach to conflict management and resolution that has proven effective.

Jonathan draws on his vast operational experience to help businesses, organisations and governments achieve their objectives. His topics include leadership, cyber and physical security, organisational effectiveness and how navigate and inflect geopolitics. He has served as military advisor to productions of Othello and Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre. He is the author of Britain in a Perilous World: The Strategic Defence and Security Review We Need, one of The London Evening Standard’s ‘Books of the Year’ in 2014. He has appeared in and contributed to leading British media outlets including The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator and the BBC. He is a Fellow at Winchester College.

Diana Choyleva is a leading expert on China’s economy and politics. She is Chief Economist at Enodo Economics, an independent macroeconomic and political forecasting company she set up in 2016 to untangle complexity, challenge the consensus, and give pointers to the future by making sense of today. Enodo’s focus is China and its global impact.

Diana has been covering China for over two decades and has written three books. In 2022, she co-authored ‘China’s Quest for Financial Self-reliance – How Beijing Plans to Decouple from the Dollar-Based Global Trading and Financial System’; in 2011 ‘The American Phoenix – and Why China and Europe Will Struggle After the Coming Slump’; and in 2006 ‘The Bill from the China Shop – How Asia’s Savings Glut Threatens the World Economy’.

Diana joined JPMorgan Asia Growth and Income plc as a Non-executive Director to the Board in March 2023 and the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, as a non-resident Senior Fellow on the Chinese economy in June 2023.

Before Enodo she worked at Lombard Street Research (now TS Lombard) for 16 years, most recently as their Chief Economist and Head of Research, setting the agenda for the firm’s team of economists and strategists while conducting her own global analysis.

She joined LSR after completing her master’s degree in Economics at Warwick University in 2000 and became an executive director in 2005. Diana headed the firm’s UK Service from 2005 until 2009. Between 2010 and 2013 she was based in Hong Kong overseeing LSR’s expansion in Asia.

Diana writes regular opinion pieces for the FT, WSJ, Nikkei Asian Review, Foreign Policy etc. She has extensive global experience engaging with all manner of audiences and is a regular commentator on Bloomberg, the BBC, CNBC and others.

Dr. Dana P. Eyre, holds a PhD in sociology from Stanford. He has taught in the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Leadership at West Point; and in the Department of National Security Affairs at the US Naval Postgraduate School, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre in Canada, and George Mason University. His research focuses on social change processes and organizational learning and planning for complex social change campaigns.‬‬‬‬‬‬ He recently worked with SOSACorp as principal social scientist, where he led efforts to develop analytical software for conflict and complex social system analysis.

Dana is also an accomplished senior change communications practitioner with a record of leading multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural teams facing challenging projects in complex environments at senior levels. He specialises in the analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of conflict transformation and complex social change campaigns, and the use of strategic communications efforts, in support of national security objectives. He has developed many large-scale strategic communications campaigns for multiple clients, including the US government, the UK government, and the United Nations, as well as for commercial clients. As strategist and producer, he has guided over $450m worth of multi-media and transmedia production efforts, including products as diverse as social media dialogue campaigns, television commercials, entertainment programmes, and historical documentaries. ‬‬‬‬

Dana has over a decade of on-the-ground experience in Bosnia-Hercegovina, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and in a variety of other settings around the world. He was a Jennings-Randolph Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, a senior advisor for the DARPA COMPOEX program, and has served as peace building and counter-radicalization communications consultant in Iraq and Afghanistan for senior leadership.‬ He has supported multiple studies for the Pentagon’s Joint Staff J-39 Strategic Multi-Layer Assessment including a recent major study on operating in the information environment.

Jon Hussain has consulted on CD and Info Ops for 10 years. For the UK Government he has worked at the Russia Unit, ERP, CO, MOD, Yemen, Oman and Libya Teams on counter disinformation and strategic communication tasks. Jon has also worked for the NATO Stratcom Centre of Excellence, researching information resilience approaches. Previously he has taught the RESIST CD methodology to civil servants and officials from other governments.

Ms. Kimberly Metcalf is an expert on identity studies with a concentration at the intersection of society and securitization. She is an experienced leader, writer, and researcher with 17+ years of experience across leading projects and teams in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Iraqi Kurdistan as well as studying and researching in Estonia, and deeply immersive experiences in the Republic of Georgia, Russia, Republika Srpska (Bosnia), and Montenegro. Following her 10 + year career in the military, she joined a communications company partnered with NGOs and grassroots activists across Iraq.  She received a MA in Russian and European Union politics from Tartu University in Estonia. In 2020 she concluded her thesis on the Russian Military Intervention in Syria. In February 2022, she began researching as a Ph.D. candidate in the War Studies Department at King’s College London. Her research is centered on Russian identity production and securitizations. Throughout her military career as a US Special Operations Civil Affairs Officer and civilian careers as a consultant performing project management, reporting writing, networking, lecturing, and business development, she managed staff and operational teams of 100+ and budgets of $3M and performed duties including proposal writing, project design, budget management, and close out. Ms. Metcalf combines technical expertise in strategic communications and gathering atmospherics in hard-to-reach areas with deep field experience working in or with DoD, and other Western-based clients across the Middle East. Her experience as a special operations leader includes supporting information operations, interagency coordination, and stabilization from deployed locations. She is experienced in cross-cultural and cross-governmental work with a proven track record of winning new work and growing work share through proposals and relationships with stakeholders including USAID, DOD, State Department, NGOs, private sector organizations, and community leaders.

Alejandro Reyes is senior fellow at the Centre on Contemporary China and the World (CCCW) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and concurrently scholar-in-residence at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. He has had a 36-year career as a journalist, consultant (mainly to international organizations including the World Economic Forum and the Clinton Global Initiative), professor, think-tank director and foreign-policy advisor. From 2017-19, he was senior policy advisor to the assistant deputy minister for Asia Pacific in Global Affairs Canada, creating and leading the Asia-Pacific policy-planning unit in the ministry. In 2002, he also served in the department as senior policy advisor on G8 issues to the foreign minister. He was a professor and director of knowledge dissemination at the Asia Global Institute, the think tank on global issues at HKU, from 2019 to 2023 and was a professor in HKU’s Department of Politics and Public Administration from 2007 to 2017, teaching courses in international relations and global studies. He started his professional life as a journalist, working in Hong Kong and Singapore for Asiaweek magazine (part of Time Inc.) from 1988 to 2001. A Canadian citizen born in the Philippines, he was educated at Harvard College and the University of Oxford and holds an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University in Charlotte, NC, USA.

Matthew Young has been a senior consultant for 19 years, following a corporate career in strategy, sales and brand marketing with UK multinationals Diageo and Unilever.  He helps business and government leaders work with their teams to develop and implement effective competitive strategy.  Clients benefit from team alignment on commercial direction and implications for communication plans, service design, pricing and market positioning.  Matthew has delivered hundreds of transformation projects in industries ranging from aviation, automotive and agriculture to healthcare, luxury goods and energy utilities.