Organisation says appointment demonstrates ‘commitment to moving the licensing industry into the future’.

Licensing International has hired Maria Ungaro as vice president, Member Engagement, effective immediately. Maria joins Licensing International from Kellen, a global association management firm. In her new role, she will be responsible for both sustaining and growing the organisation’s membership with the goal of furthering Licensing International’s mission to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world.

In addition to her membership expertise, Maria brings deep experience in strategic thinking, operational effectiveness, growth marketing and major event planning, and fundraising. She will report directly to Maura Regan, president, Licensing International.

“Maria is a seasoned association and non-profit executive with more than 20 years’ experience that she will bring to the global licensing industry,” said Maura. “She is highly skilled in membership development and retention, which as a membership-based organisation, is of the utmost importance to our success. We know she will be a huge asset to the team.”

Maria has spent the last 22 years at Kellen, where she had the opportunity to serve as the executive director for a number of trade and professional societies including, most recently, New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), the premier not-for-profit association for female communications professionals. She also was executive director at GardenComm: Garden Communicators International, which provides leadership and opportunities for education, recognition and career development for professionals in the field of gardening communication.