Sheba Nandkeolyar
President

Biography

Sheba is a one of Australia’s influential voices in marketing, advertising, and media. As President of the International Advertising Association (IAA) Australia, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the communications industry through advocacy, inclusion, and global collaboration.

A passionate champion of diversity and women’s empowerment, Sheba has consistently worked to elevate underrepresented voices within the advertising ecosystem. Her leadership extends across industry and government, including her role as an Advisory Board Member of Media Diversity Australia, where she drives initiatives to improve representation across media and communications.

Sheba is a highly awarded marketing leader and is often featured for her advocacy perspectives on media.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shebanandkeolyar3/

 

Industry Leadership & Business Impact

As Founder & CEO of MultiConnexions Group, Australia’s leading independent multicultural marketing agency, Sheba has redefined how brands connect with diverse audiences. Her work aligns closely with IAA’s global mission of fostering responsible, inclusive, and forward-thinking marketing practices.

Prior to founding MultiConnexions, Sheba held CEO roles within major global networks including McCann, Interpublic, and WPP Group companies. Her leadership experience spans across sectors including financial services, telecom, FMCG, automotive, healthcare, retail, and luxury—working with iconic brands such as Telstra, ANZ Bank, NRMA IAG, Cricket Australia, Toyota, Unilever, and Nestlé, Reckett

MultiConnexions is the only company in Australia to have won the EFFIE Gold in Multicultural Marketing.

 

Global & DE&I

Sheba brings a uniquely global lens to her role at IAA. With extensive experience engaging diaspora and multicultural audiences, she has helped international brands successfully enter and grow within the Australian market. Her tenure as the first woman National Chair of the Australia India Business Council strengthened bilateral trade and industry ties, reinforcing Australia’s position in global business conversations. Sheba is also the IAA Global Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. In this role, she drives advocacy through her work-life DE&I experiences.

 

Mentorship, Industry Faculty & Advocacy

Beyond corporate leadership, Sheba is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of industry leaders. As a mentor, trustee, she actively contributes to education, community development, and social impact initiatives—most notably through her long-standing work with the Salvation Army’s multicultural Red Shield Appeal. 

In addition, she serves as an industry faculty member at business schools and is a frequent international conference speaker on economic inclusion, migrant entrepreneurship, and bilateral trade. Her academic engagement bridges theory and practice, supporting evidence-based policy dialogue and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.

 

Board Roles and Experience

• Founder & CEO – Multiconnexions 
• President – International Advertising Association (IAA) Australia
• Global Vice President & Chair of DE&I Council, IAA Global
• Former National Chair – Australia Indian Business Council
• Chair – LBW Trust
• Former Board Member – Australia India Council, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
• Multicultural Ambassador – Cricket Australia
• Advisory Board Member – Media Diversity Australia
• Trustee & Board Member – Follow your Dreams Foundation, Lion’s Initiative