Earning the top rank, Catherine Bonner is recognised for her high-level policy and educational work that directly supports emerging IP infrastructures. As Chair of the AIPPI PCT Committee, she plays a vital role in shaping international patent filing practices, and her training work with WIPO on new technical standards has helped improve compliance readiness for professionals in Asia and other emerging markets. This significant, foundational impact on the global IP system's accessibility places her at the pinnacle of this category.

Securing a premier position, Nicole Magalhães is distinguished by her direct support for programmes aimed at strengthening IP frameworks in emerging regions. As Head of IP, her submission highlights her work with DKT International, contributing to capacity-building and IP awareness initiatives. This practical support, combined with her leadership of an all-woman IP team in Brazil, demonstrates a clear commitment to advancing the profession in emerging markets.

Ranked in the top three, Erin McEwen is celebrated for her 26-year career managing complex trademark portfolios, a skill set vital for clients expanding into new jurisdictions. While her primary practice is in Canada, her high overall distinction and extensive experience in portfolio management, including navigating international filing systems, embody the strategic expertise required to manage IP in any market. Her leadership in the profession secures her high ranking.

A top-tier leader, Paramee Kerativitayanan is recognised for her 10 years of dedicated IP practice in the key emerging market of Thailand. Her submission details her expertise in managing trademark portfolios for a diverse clientele. This hands-on, practical experience in a dynamic and growing market, combined with her leadership in IP-related associations, demonstrates a significant contribution to the region's IP infrastructure.

Securing a top-five position, Margarita Romero Rosales is distinguished by her 30-year career focused on IP and brand management in Ecuador. Her submission highlights her work in managing brand protection for major consumer clients. This extensive, long-term experience in a key Latin American market, defending and managing valuable brand assets, confirms her as a leading expert in the region.

Daphne Ekpe is ranked highly for her work at the intersection of IP and technology, particularly within the US and African markets. Her narrative highlights her role in fostering IP awareness and her contributions to thought leadership, which are crucial for developing robust IP ecosystems. Her focus on technology and innovation, combined with her cross-continental perspective, marks her as an important voice for emerging IP landscapes.

A prominent leader, Aylin Özgür's 20-year career as a trademark and patent attorney demonstrates her deep expertise in the Turkish IP market. Her submission details her extensive experience in managing all aspects of trademark prosecution and enforcement. This long-standing, practical commitment to protecting IP rights within a major emerging economy solidifies her position as a key regional leader.

Earning her spot in the top 10, Irene is recognised for her 14-year career as an in-house IP counsel for a major multinational bank. Her role in managing a global IP portfolio, which necessarily involves navigating the legal and commercial realities of numerous emerging markets, showcases her strategic expertise. This in-house, global perspective on IP management secures her this distinction.

Securing her position, Ximena Souza Ferreira is celebrated for her 15-year career dedicated to IP and unfair competition law in Peru. Her submission confirms her expertise in managing and protecting trademark portfolios. This long-term, practical experience in a key Latin American emerging market demonstrates her significant contribution to the local and regional IP practice.

Rounding out the top 10, Maria Ceballos is recognised for her 18-year career in IP, with a focus on trademark and design law. Her narrative highlights her extensive experience in managing client portfolios. This practical expertise, essential for guiding clients as they expand into new and emerging jurisdictions, combined with her high overall distinction, earns her this position.