Mariaan’s experience in marketing, strategic communications, content development and analysis, makes her a versatile communicator who is passionate about identifying the best way to say something to an audience.
Having lived in the Middle East for the past two decades, Mariaan has had both a front-row seat and back-stage pass to the region’s transformation, witnessing and experiencing change – both visceral and nuanced. 
It has fueled an interest in history, futurism, change management, technology, innovation, and cultural context, resulting in valuable and varied multi-industry experiences across the B2B, B2C, B2E and B2G landscape.
She currently leads content on Mastercard, the agency’s largest integrated account, covering 81 markets across Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA). For this account, she oversees the development of narratives, briefing documents, speeches, profiling pieces and thought leadership content. Her support extends to other accounts, and across multiple sectors, supporting diverse and varied projects such as COP 28 UAE, Expo 2020 Dubai, the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2020, and COVID-19 communications. 
Before joining Weber Shandwick, she was a freelance marketing and communications consultant, working with brands in hospitality, food and beverage, fintech, finance, professional services, entertainment, automotive, retail, sports, sustainability, wellness, architecture, technology, industrial machinery and interior design.
As Director of Sales & Marketing for JA Resorts & Hotels, she led commercial strategy, contract negotiation, sponsorship, marketing and PR for five hotels, multiple restaurants, a spa, cruise, golf course, horse rising stables and marina.  
Mariaan graduated from the University of Pretoria in South Africa and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with specialization in Marketing Management and Communications.