OCTOBER 6–7, 2026 New York Hilton Midtown @WICTHQ • #WICTLeadership26 THE WICT NETWORK GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE TOP SPONSORS OF THE 2026 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE P L AT I N U M S P O N S O R GOLD SPONSOR S I LV E R S P O N S O R BRONZE SPONSOR CHAMPION SPONSORS
WHEN PROGRAM IS FINALIZED CONTENTS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE DETAILS Welcome................................................................................1 Registration & Information Desk Hours Monday, October 5 Sponsors...............................................................................2 2:00 – 6:00 pm Conference Overview............................................. 4 2nd Floor Promenade Agenda at a Glance.................................................. 6 Tuesday, October 6 Sessions................................................................................ 9 3rd Floor Promenade 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday, October 5..................................................... 9 Wednesday, October 7 Tuesday, October 6.................................................... 9 7:30 am – 3:30 pm Touchstones Luncheon .........................................13 3rd Floor Promenade Wednesday, October 7........................................... 17 The WICT Network Leadership..................23 Board of Directors....................................................23 Dress Business attire, including the Touchstones Luncheon and Big Apple Reception Staff....................................................................................24 2026 Chapter Presidents ...................................25 Leadership Conference Fellowship Recipients.............................................26 DOWNLOAD THE LC 2026 MOBILE APP WIFI CODE LEADERSHIP2026 Chapter Scholarships and Chapter Award Winners.......................................27 SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY THE WICT NETWORK 2026 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE COMMITTEE Michelle Rice, President, TV One & CLEO TV; Committee Chair; Chair, The WICT Network Global Board of Directors Crystal Barnes , Former EVP, Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG, Paramount Val Boreland, President, Entertainment, Versant Jen Crawford, Senior Director, Brand Marketing, The Walt Disney Company Wokie Daboh, Head, DEI, ESPN Jhneall Gardner, Global VP, Talent, Warner Bros. Discovery Stephanie Gorski, Managing Director, Global Strategy Lead, Software & Platforms, Accenture Fernanda Merodio, Director, Business Development – LATAM, Netflix Orlando Hampton, SVP, Enterprise Technology, AI Contact Center, Invisible Technologies Kia Painter, Former EVP & Chief People Officer, Cox Communications Annie Howell, Chief Communications Officer, Hallmark Media Julia Reusch, Senior Director, Impact & Inclusion, Comcast Jane Latman, President, Twist, Wheelhouse Entertainment Soraya Loerts, Chief People Officer, Ziggo Group (a Liberty Global company) Kristin Rowe, ED, Partner Marketing, Starz Entertainment Elizabeth Spaulding, VP, Global Business Development, Britbox Michelle Strong, Co-President, Distribution, A+E Global Media T H E W I C T N E T WO R K 2 0 2 6 L E A D E R S H I P CO N F E R E N C E
DEAR MEMBERS OF THE WICT NETWORK AND HONORED GUESTS, Welcome to the 2026 Leadership Conference! This year is especially meaningful as it marks my first Leadership Conference as President & CEO of The WICT Network. I am honored to share this experience alongside Michelle L. Rice, Chair of The WICT Network Global Board of Directors, and to welcome all of you as we come together to learn, connect, and prepare for what’s ahead. We gather under the theme Future Ready: Learn. Lead. Grow. The future is moving fast, and leadership has to move with it. Across media, entertainment, and technology, our industry continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace. Being future ready means embracing change, continuing to learn, and having the confidence to lead through uncertainty and opportunity. The 2026 Conference Planning Committee and The WICT Network team have curated an agenda designed to meet this moment and equip leaders for the modern workplace. Through inspiring keynotes, expert-led sessions, mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and dynamic networking, every element has been designed to offer practical insights, fresh perspectives, and meaningful connections that can help you grow as a leader. New this year, our inaugural AI Leadership Forum moves beyond theory with a hands-on exploration of AI and its implications for modern leadership. Bring your laptop and come ready to participate as you work with AI firsthand, explore agentic AI by building a mock agent around your own work, see enterprise applications in action, and examine what it takes to scale AI across an organization. The goal is practical: to leave with greater confidence, new capabilities, and concrete ideas you can put to work right away. The WICT Network is proud to join NAMIC and the NCTA Education Foundation in celebrating Leadership Development Week. Together, we are developing talent, strengthening leadership, and building a more inclusive future for media, entertainment, and technology. Inside this program guide, you will find the generous sponsors whose support makes this event possible. We extend special gratitude to our Platinum Sponsor, Comcast NBCUniversal; Gold Sponsor, Charter Communications; Silver Sponsor, Cisco; Bronze Sponsor, Warner Bros. Discovery; and Champion Sponsors, Microsoft, TV One, and The Walt Disney Company. As you explore the sessions and connect with peers, we encourage you to embrace the spirit of Future Ready. Be curious, make new connections, challenge your thinking, and take what you learn here back to your teams, organizations, and communities. We are delighted to welcome you and look forward to learning, leading, and growing together. With warm regards, Tracy Pitcher President & CEO The WICT Network Michelle L. Rice 2026 Board Chair and Conference Committee Chair The WICT Network Global Board of Directors President TV One & CLEO TV FUTURE READY: LEARN. LEAD. GROW. 1
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 TOUCHSTONE PARTNERS STR ATEG IC PARTN E R S CATALYST PARTN E R I N S PI R E PARTN E R S I N DUSTRY PARTN E R M E DIA PARTN E R S 2 T H E W I C T N E T WO R K 2 0 2 6 L E A D E R S H I P CO N F E R E N C E
PL ATI N U M S PON SOR GOLD S PON SOR S I LVE R S PON SOR B RON Z E S PON SOR CHAM PION S PON SOR S TOUCH STON E S LU NCH EON CHAM PION S PON SOR S # B E YON DTH E HA S HTAG S PON SOR B IG APPLE R ECE P TION S PON SOR G E N E R AL S E SS ION S PON SOR S MOB I LE APP S PON SOR B R E AKOUT S E SS ION S PON SOR S AI LE ADE R S H I P FORU M S PON SOR S OPE N I NG E NTE RTAI N M E NT S PON SOR WI F I S PON SOR M E DIA PARTN E R S LE ADE R S H I P CON F E R E NCE M E DIA PARTN E R I N DUSTRY PARTN E R FUTURE READY: LEARN. LEAD. GROW. 3
MAINSTAGE The Big Stage features leaders and trailblazers in high-level strategic talks. T U E S D AY, O C T O B E R 6 W E D N E S D AY, O C T O B E R 7 ξ 9:00 am Welcome & Opening ξ 8:30 am ξ 9:20 am State of the Industry: What Leaders Need to See Now ξ 9:50 am Leading Forward: A Conversation with Tracy Pitcher ξ 3:05 pm Growth Playbook: Sports and the New Bundle Era ξ 4:00 pm Profiles of Champions A Keynote: Habits, Hopes, and Heroes ξ 10:25 am Leading Through the Messy Middle: Trust, Talent, and Transformation ξ 11:15 am Pearls of Wisdom TOUCHSTONES LUNCHEON Grand Ballroom Held in conjunction with The WICT Network Leadership Conference, the Touchstones Luncheon is a cornerstone event celebrating progress and leadership in the workplace. This year introduces a new centerpiece: the Touchstones Awards, which recognize organizations for the initiatives, campaigns, and platforms driving innovation, audience connection, and courageous leadership. T U E S D AY, O C T O B E R 6 ξ 11:30 am The Touchstones Luncheon FUTURE READY: LEARN. LEAD. GROW. 4 T H E W I C T N E T WO R K 2 0 2 6 L E A D E R S H I P CO N F E R E N C E
Discover new ideas, tools, and approaches. Explore emerging technologies, industry trends, and practical leadership skills that can elevate your impact. T U E S D AY, O C T O B E R 6 W E D N E S D AY, O C T O B E R 7 ξ 10:35 am H.U.M.A.N. FIRST™ Framework: The Leadership Edge AI Can't Replace ξ 9:15 am You're a Negotiator. You Just Don't Know It Yet. ξ 10:35 am Leadership Roundtables LEAD Build the mindset, presence, and people-centered skills needed to create alignment, inspire action, and lead with purpose. T U E S D AY, O C T O B E R 6 W E D N E S D AY, O C T O B E R 7 ξ 10:35 am The Team Alignment Playbook: Turn Siloed Teams Into Collaborative Powerhouses ξ 9:15 am ξ 2:00 pm Micro-Sessions: FutureProof Your Career From Fine to Future-Ready: Leading with Steadiness, Presence, and Purpose GROW Navigate what's next. Gain perspective on career growth, build meaningful connections, and learn how leaders navigate change and reinvention. T U E S D AY, O C T O B E R 6 W E D N E S D AY, O C T O B E R 7 ξ 10:35 am Beyond the Hashtag: #TheAmbitionGap ξ 9:15 am Reinvention in Real Time ξ 2:00 pm Leadership Has Changed. Have You? ξ 2:00 pm Peer-to-Peer Roundtables AI LEADERSHIP FORUM Advance sign-up required A three-hour forum built on one idea: leaders need more than AI theory—they need opportunities to explore its real-world implications. Through a mix of expert perspectives, peer exchange, and interactive activities, participants will leave with new insights and practical next steps. W E D N E S D AY, O C T O B E R 7 ξ The Great Recalibration ξ AI in the Enterprise: Seeing It Work ξ AI in Your Hands ξ One Action Before Friday FUTURE READY: LEARN. LEAD. GROW. 5
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 ξ 2:00 – 6:00 pm Registration and Information Desk ξ 3:30 – 6:30 pm Chapter Leader Roundtables > 2nd Floor Promenade > Gramercy West, 2nd floor ξ 5:00 – 6:30 pm > Gramercy East, 2nd floor > By invitation only TechConnect Kickoff WOMEN IN STEM SPONSOR: > By invitation only TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 ξ 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Registration and Information Desk ξ 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Networking Lounge ξ 8:00 – 9:00 am Continental Breakfast > 3rd Floor Promenade > Rotunda, 3rd Floor > Rotunda, 3rd Floor Promenade ξ 9:00 – 10:20 am MADE POSSIBLE BY THE WICT NETWORK’S STRATEGIC TOUCHSTONE PARTNERS: OPENING SESSION ξ 9:00 – 9:05 am Welcome ξ 9:05 – 9:20 am Opening Entertainment ξ 9:20 – 9:50 am State of the Industry: What Leaders Need to See Now ξ 9:50 am – 10:15 am Leading Forward: A Conversation with Tracy Pitcher ξ 10:15 am – 10:20 am Closing Remarks ξ 10:20 – 10:35 am Networking Break > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor ξ 10:35 – 11:25 am CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS H.U.M.A.N. FIRST™ Framework: The Leadership Edge AI Can’t Replace > Rendezvous, 3rd Floor LEARN > Petit Trianon, 3rd Floor LEAD > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor G R O W Beyond the Hashtag: #TheAmbitionGap > Mercury Ballroom, 3rd Floor ξ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm > Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor SPONSOR: SPONSOR: The Team Alignment Playbook: Turn Siloed Teams Into Collaborative Powerhouses SPONSOR: Leadership Roundtables TOUCHSTONES LUNCHEON This year’s luncheon introduces a new centerpiece: the Touchstones Awards, which recognize organizations for the initiatives, campaigns, and platforms driving innovation, audience connection, and courageous leadership. CHAMPION SPONSORS: ξ 1:30 – 2:00 pm ξ 2:00 – 2:50 pm Stretch Break CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS From Fine to Future-Ready: Leading with Steadiness, Presence and Purpose > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor LEAD > Rendezvous, 3rd Floor G ROW Leadership Has Changed. Have You? > Mercury Ballroom, 3rd Floor G ROW B2B Peer-to-Peer Roundtables ξ 2:50 – 3:05 pm 6 Networking Break T H E W I C T N E T WO R K 2 0 2 6 L E A D E R S H I P CO N F E R E N C E SPONSOR:
GENERAL SESSION ξ 3:05 – 3:55 pm > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor ξ 4:00 – 5:00 pm > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor ξ 5:00 – 6:00 pm > Rotunda & Mercury Ballroom, 3rd Floor Growth Playbook: Sports and the New Bundle Era SPONSOR: Profiles of Champions: Becoming a Corporate Athlete Big Apple Reception SPONSOR: SPONSOR: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 ξ 6:30 – 7:30 am Morning Fitness: Sunrise Yoga ξ 7:30 am – 3:30 pm Registration and Information Desk ξ 7:30 am – 3:30 pm Networking Lounge ξ 7:30 – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast ξ 7:30 – 8:30 am Member Meet & Greet ξ 7:45 – 8:25 am One-on-One Coaching > Concourse E, Concourse Level > 3rd Floor Promenade > 3rd Floor East Promenade > Rotunda, 3rd Floor Promenade > Mercury Ballroom, 3rd Floor > Rendezvous, 3rd Floor ξ 8:30 – 9:00 am > Advance sign-up required MADE POSSIBLE BY THE WICT NETWORK’S STRATEGIC TOUCHSTONE PARTNERS: > Advance sign-up required GENERAL SESSION > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor ξ 9:15 – 10:05 am A Keynote: Habits, Hopes, and Heroes CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS > Petit Trianon, 3rd Floor > Mercury Ballroom, 3rd Floor > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor ξ 10:05 – 10:25 am ξ 10:25 – 11:10 am > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor ξ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm > Trianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor You’re a Negotiator. You Just Don’t Know It Yet. LEARN LEAD G ROW Reinvention in Real Time Networking Break GENERAL SESSION Leading Through the Messy Middle: Trust, Talent, and Transformation Pearls of Wisdom ξ 1:15 – 1:55 pm One-on-One Coaching > Rendezvous, 3rd Floor ξ 2:00 – 5:00 pm > Mercury Ballroom, 3rd Floor SESSIONS SPONSOR: GENERAL SESSION One-on-One Coaching > Rendezvous, 3rd Floor SPONSOR: Micro-Sessions: Future-Proof Your Career ξ 12:30 – 1:10 pm ξ 3:00 – 5:30 pm SPONSOR: SPONSOR: > Advance sign-up required > Advance sign-up required AI Leadership Forum SPONSORS: > Advance sign-up required ξ The Great Recalibration ξ AI in Your Hands ξ AI in the Enterprise: Seeing It Work ξ One Action Before Friday Ask an AI Expert HOSTED BY: FUTURE READY: LEARN. LEAD. GROW. 7
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