The Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF), a global trade association representing the mobile ecosystem, has announced the results of its 2026 Board elections, appointing five new Directors to help guide the organization’s strategic direction.
The elections were conducted over the past three weeks, with the results announced during the MEF Global Forum held at Casa Llotja de Mar in Barcelona. Five board positions were contested in this year’s election.
The newly elected Directors are:
Dr. Marco Lafrentz, VP Business & Market Development, netnumber
Amelia Newsom-Davis, Director – Payment, Messaging and Identity, Orange
Robert Gerstmann, Chief Evangelist & Co-Founder, Sinch
Claudine Bell, Partner Business Manager – Messaging & Payments, Telefónica
Dr. Andreas Mann, Senior Portfolio Manager, Messaging, Vodafone
They will join the current MEF Board, which includes:
Dario Betti, CEO, Mobile Ecosystem Forum
Rafael Pellon, Partner, Pellon de Lima Advogados
Stephanie Lashley, VP Messaging Strategic Alliances & Infrastructure, Bandwidth Inc.
Ramy Riad, Director, Innovation & Messaging Strategy, Cisco
Matthew Bisoffi, Head of Business Management, Operations & Insights, CKH IOD
Rajiv Singla, CEO Global Messaging, Globe TeleServices (GTS)
Brian Darcy, Director Global Telecoms Business Development, Infobip
Waheed Adam, Executive Chairman, iTouch Messaging Services
Tim Ward, Fellow, Xconnect
MEF said the newly elected Directors represent a range of expertise across areas including messaging, connectivity, security, and digital infrastructure, reflecting the breadth of the global mobile ecosystem.
Over the coming year, the Board is expected to focus on advancing innovation in messaging technologies, strengthening anti-fraud initiatives, and promoting privacy, trust, and sustainable growth across the mobile ecosystem.
As part of the election process, candidates submitted short videos outlining their qualifications and contributions to the Board. Voting was conducted online, with all full MEF members eligible to participate.
MEF CEO Dario Betti said the Board continues to attract experienced professionals from across the industry who help guide the organization’s strategy and governance. He noted that the composition of the Board reflects the diversity and expertise of the broader mobile ecosystem.
The Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF) is a global trade organization established in 2000 and headquartered in the United Kingdom. It represents companies across the mobile ecosystem and focuses on promoting cross-industry best practices, combating fraud, and supporting sustainable monetization models. MEF provides its members with global platforms for networking, collaboration, and the development of industry solutions.
