JOINSTM announces three key leadership promotions to strengthen strategy, equity, and public affairs
STM is pleased to announce three strategic leadership promotions that took effect on 1 January 2025, strengthening the organisation’s senior management team and expanding its commitment to equity, innovation, and trusted research in scholarly communications.
Leila Jones promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO)
In this position, Leila provides operational leadership and cross-functional coordination across STM. She plays a key role in driving progress on strategic programmes and ensuring the seamless execution of STM’s activities.
Leila has been an integral part of STM as the Director of Strategic Programmes, where she facilitated the delivery of STM’s strategy by overseeing and coordinating projects across its core strategic pillars. With over 20 years of experience in scholarly publishing, including editorial and operational roles at Taylor & Francis, Blackwell Publishing, Elsevier, Nature Publishing Group, and Wiley, Leila brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.
Sarah Phibbs expands role to Director of Equity & Inclusion
This new role builds on Sarah’s commitment to advancing collaboration, sustainability, and global research equity within the publishing ecosystem.
In this expanded position, Sarah leads STM’s efforts to promote equity in scholarly communications, working in collaboration with STM’s Social Responsibility Committee and other key partners. Sarah will continue to manage publisher partnerships for Research4Life, while her new responsibilities include raising awareness of equity and inclusion efforts within STM’s membership and the broader publishing industry.
Sarah’s extensive background includes leadership roles at Wiley and Blackwell, as well as significant contributions to Research4Life, where she facilitated the development of its Strategic Plan and Theory of Change.
Claudia Russo promoted to Senior Manager, Public Affairs Europe
We’re thrilled to recognize Claudia’s exceptional contributions to STM and her leadership in advancing public affairs initiatives across Europe with this promotion.
Since joining STM as Regional Manager, Public Affairs Europe in April 2020, Claudia has been instrumental in gathering political intelligence, crafting effective public affairs strategies, and building strong relationships with European institutions and stakeholders. Her deep expertise in digital issues — as well as a talent for translating policy into clear, actionable strategies have been vital to STM’s success in this area.
This promotion reflects her growth, dedication, and outstanding work in supporting STM’s European programme.
Leadership Vision
“These promotions reflect STM’s ongoing commitment to leadership excellence and advancing equity, innovation, and collaboration in scholarly communications,” said Caroline Sutton, STM CEO. “Leila’s strategic and operational expertise, Sarah’s dedication to driving equity and inclusion, and Claudia’s impactful work in public affairs will further enhance STM’s ability to support trusted research and foster a thriving global scholarly ecosystem.”