10/07/2026
Icons of Change International Awards 2026
Mohsen Johari
Founder & CEO, Licensed Creative Enterprise
Media Strategist, Researcher & Sustainable Development Advocate
Former Media and Marketing Manager, World Wood Day Foundation
Senior Branding & Media Consultant, Kermanshah Municipality (UNESCO Creative Cities Network)
SDG Focus: Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Changemaker for Cultural Heritage Preservation, and Rural-Urban Sustainable Development (Iran)
Mohsen Johari operates at the intersection of strategic media management, visual anthropology, and socio-economic resilience. With over 13 years of expertise in branding, media economics, and public-private sector consulting, he leverages advanced digital media infrastructure to accelerate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His work empowers communities, preserves cultural assets, and builds inclusive models for sustainable growth.
Turning Media into Measurable Sustainable Impact
Mohsen Johari creates high-impact strategies that bridge culture, economy, and environment. As Founder and CEO of a licensed Creative Enterprise, he anchors practical interventions in rigorous academic research while delivering tangible results for communities and ecosystems.
His international portfolio demonstrates a consistent ability to transform complex challenges into scalable opportunities through strategic storytelling and digital advocacy.
A Mission Beyond Traditional Boundaries
Mohsen Johari pioneers the use of documentary media for destination equity and rural advancement. He produced and directed the acclaimed 9-episode documentary series Bawan, which systematically mapped and highlighted the socio-economic and rural capacities of regional ecosystems. This work has played a key role in aligning, documenting, and advancing the candidacy files of Iranian historical settlements for the UN Tourism (UNWTO) Best Tourism Villages initiative.
By integrating high-impact digital advocacy with local heritage, he builds scalable models for social cohesion, community-led tourism, and inclusive sustainable growth.
Leadership Across Global Cultural and Environmental Initiatives
For four years, Johari served as Media and Marketing Manager for the World Wood Day Foundation (WWDF), where he spearheaded multi-cultural campaigns promoting eco-friendly materials and environmental sustainability. He has also served as senior branding and media consultant for the Cultural, Social, and Sports Organization of Kermanshah Municipality, developing global content strategies for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the Gastronomy sector.
His academic foundation as a PhD Candidate in Media Management at the Islamic Azad University and holder of an MA in Strategic Management enables him to combine research rigor with practical consulting excellence across public and private sectors.
Educating and Inspiring Through Visual and Strategic Storytelling
Johari’s documentary work and branding initiatives serve as powerful educational tools. They raise awareness of rural capacities, cultural significance, and sustainable pathways while developing community pride and external recognition. His approach demonstrates how strategic media can preserve heritage, stimulate economic opportunities, and promote responsible tourism that benefits local populations.
Advancing Sustainable Development Through Innovation
Johari continues to develop innovative frameworks that align media management with sustainable development objectives. His efforts support community empowerment, cultural asset preservation, and balanced rural-urban resilience, creating long-term value for regions seeking inclusive progress.
A Changemaker for Sustainable Communities
Through his visionary leadership, research, media production, and international consulting, Mohsen Johari has helped reshape how cultural heritage and rural potential are positioned on the global stage. His contributions advance Sustainable Development Goal 11 by promoting sustainable communities, responsible tourism, cultural preservation, and resilient socio-economic development.
Recognition Earned Through Lasting Impact
Mohsen Johari’s sustained dedication to leveraging media for sustainable development has earned him international respect and influence. His selection as an Icon of Change for 2026 honors his exceptional work in advancing community-led progress and cultural heritage through strategic media and advocacy.
A Legacy of Strategic Impact
As he is honored at the Icons of Change International Awards 2026, Mohsen Johari exemplifies how thoughtful media strategy, academic rigor, and cultural advocacy can drive meaningful sustainable development. His legacy is reflected in empowered communities, preserved heritage, strengthened rural economies, and innovative models that continue to inspire inclusive growth.
Mohsen Johari is more than a media strategist and researcher. He is a bridge builder who translates cultural assets into sustainable opportunities and turns local potential into global recognition.
For his outstanding and sustained contributions to strategic media management, cultural heritage preservation, rural-urban resilience, and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11 through innovative advocacy, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism models, Mohsen Johari is proudly recognised as a 2026 Icon of Change.
