CGI Global Team

Kerrie Waring is Director General of the Chartered Governance Institute (CGI), the world’s premier membership body for Company Secretaries. Working with nine divisions, she leads CGI’s global strategy, advocacy and international qualifying programme, serving 28,000 members across 80 markets.

Kerrie was CEO of the ICGN for 10 years until 2024, an organization led by investors with assets of USD 90 trillion. Earlier, she was Corporate Governance Manager at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, International Development Manager at the UK Institute of Directors, and Coordinator for International Relations in Hiroshima as part of the JET Programme, a Japanese Government initiative.

Earlier in her career, Kerrie contributed to the Global Corporate Governance Forum, convened by the OECD and World Bank, helping to establish governance foundations worldwide through the creation of codes, institutes, and director training programmes. As a specialist in Japanese governance, she served for seven years as a Member of TSE-FSA’s Council of Experts advising on governance and stewardship reforms.

Kerrie was named Rising Star of Corporate Governance by the Yale School of Management in 2008. She was lead author of the IFC’s Global Director Training Toolkit (2002) and co-author of the Handbook on International Corporate Governance (2004). Kerrie is a Chartered Company Secretary and holds a BA (Honors) in International Business and Japanese.

Cynthia Mora-Spencer ACG is the Institute Secretary at The Chartered Governance Institute (CGI Global), where she oversees governance activities and provides company secretarial support and governance advice to the CGI Global Council and its Committees. With over 15 years’ experience as a Company Secretary and Governance Professional, she also serves as Head of Secretariat for the CGIUKI Division.

She began her career as a solicitor in Mexico, bringing an international perspective and legal expertise to her governance leadership. Cynthia is also a member of disciplinary groups for other charter bodies, reflecting a broad commitment to upholding professional standards across the governance sector.

Michael joined the Chartered Governance Institute in early 2025 as Finance Manager and is responsible for the overall finance function of CGI Global, as well as maintaining their accounting policies and procedures. Michael’s most recent prior role was that of Finance and Operations Director of the International Corporate Governance Network from which he retired in late 2024. Additional roles have included Management Accountant of the Chartered Governance Institute and Trustee of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries Pension and Assurance Scheme, all of which provide Michael with a wealth of experience.

Vicky Upstell is the Senior Administrator for CGI Global, providing support to the Global Council and Committees and assisting with the day-to-day operations of the Global office.

For more than 15 years, Vicky has been providing administrative support to busy individuals and businesses in a variety of sectors. Previous roles have included PA to the company buyer for a large Garden Centre, HR Administrator for a large defence company providing support to the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade and Senior Association Manager for a large marketing and events company, managing the secretariat function and membership for several client accounts.

Vicky now works as a contractor for several independent businesses and association clients, including the Chartered Governance Institute.

Amane Fujimoto is in charge of supporting CGI Global's initiative to introduce the role of “company secretary” in Japan and developing CGI educational programs for Japan. Before serving CGI Global, he worked for International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN), the global institutional investor organization based in the UK from 2020 to 2025 as its Japan Advisor, to support its activities and organize various conferences and educational programs in Japan. Before ICGN, he worked at Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japanese government from 2014 to 2019 as Deputy Director of Corporate Accounting & Disclosure Division. He engaged in formulation and revision of the Japan Corporate Governance Code and Stewardship Code. Before FSA, he was the Head of Corporate Value Consulting Group of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank in Tokyo and provided corporate governance consulting services to major listed companies in Japan for 15 years. He received LLB from Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan and MBA from INSEAD, France.

Emily Stanton joined CGI Global as its Policy & Communications Coordinator, providing support to the Global Policy & Advocacy Committee, as well as assisting the Director General with a developing Events portfolio and Marketing Communications.

Following what she considers to be both essential and invaluable early career experience within retail and hospitality sectors, Emily discovered a passion for Events, Marketing and the organisational aspects that go hand in hand with both. Graduating with First Class Honours in International Event Management BSc, post-University roles over the last 7 years include Events & Marketing Manager at Surrey Chambers of Commerce, and Association & Online Communities Manager at MCI, working with several client accounts. The latter and most recent role afforded Emily the opportunity to enhance her experience of Events, Marketing and Association Secretariat duties, whilst also developing her understanding and management of Online Communities, a future-proof concept now readily adopted by organisations as part of their strategic growth.

Following a year off for maternity leave, Emily has embarked on a lifelong dream of working for herself, now sharing her knowledge and expertise of Event, Marketing and Secretariat services through her work as an independent contractor.