Leadership Conference

SAVE THE DATE!

2026 Leadership Conference
October 5-7, 2026
New York Hilton Midtown

2025 Leadership Conference Recap

The WICT Network held its annual Leadership Conference, kicking off Leadership Development Week at the New York Marriott Marquis. This high-impact conference united professionals committed to advancing their careers and the industry.

This year’s theme —The Power of Us: Elevate. Innovate. Accelerate.— celebrated the strength of community and the shared leadership needed to thrive in today’s dynamic workplace. Through bold keynotes, expert-led breakouts and curated networking, participants explored new ideas and walked away with actionable strategies for lasting growth. Attendees enjoyed an engaging lineup of general sessions, interactive workshops, expert panels, one-on-one coaching sessions and ample opportunities for peer-to-peer networking.

Photos by L. Busacca & Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for The WICT Network

Opening Entertainment | Sponsored by Afiniti

Broadway Bound Kids wowed the audience at the with their powerful performance of Girl on Fire. Thank you for inspiring us with your talent and courage on stage!

Broadway Bound Kids

Welcome & Opening General Session

‘The Power of Us’ took center stage as Maria E. Brennan, CAE and Michelle L. Rice welcomed attendees to the Leadership Conference.

Fran Drescher and Loren Hudson followed with a powerful keynote that blended personal stories and a call to action. Drawing from her years as both a performer and advocate, Fran urged professionals to use their collective voice to not only entertain, but to empower.

(L-R) Michelle L. Rice, President of CLEO TV and TV One and Maria E. Brennan, CAE, President & CEO of The WICT Network
(L-R) Loren Hudson (SVP & Chief Talent Officer, Connectivity & Platforms, Comcast), Fran Drescher (Actor, Advocate, Former SAG-AFTRA President & Founder, Cancer Schmancer Movement), Michelle L. Rice, Maria E. Brennan, CAE

Shaping Tomorrow – A Forecast of Media, Entertainment and Technology | Sponsored by Optimum

Following the opening fireside chat, attendees heard from futurist and strategist Victoria Chaitoff of Future Today Strategy Group. In her session, Victoria explored how emerging technologies are reshaping the business of storytelling and challenged leaders to look beyond the present to anticipate what’s next. Drawing from FTSG’s 18th annual Tech Trends Report, she shared how to spot early signals, adapt with agility and uncover new opportunities in times of disruption. 

Victoria Chaitoff, Foresight Consultant & Director, Marketing & Communications, Future Today Strategy Group

The Touchstones Luncheon

The Touchstones Luncheon, a signature moment of the Leadership Conference, delivered another inspiring celebration of progress and purpose. This year’s event honored the 2025 PAR Top Companies for Women to Work, spotlighting organizations that champion inclusion and the power of diverse perspectives. For the first time, we also recognized excellence in the tech sector, with CSG Systems International earning the top honor.

(L-R) Michelle L. Rice, Cindy Parsons (Executive Director, ESG & Sustainability, CSG Systems International), Maria E. Brennan, CAE

2025 PAR Top Companies in Distribution: Cable One, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, Midco

(L-R) Shavonne Russell (Manager, Technical Program Management, Cable One), Rhonda Crichlow (SVP, Community Impact & Engagement, Charter Communications), Ann McGlennen (Chief Human Resources Officer, Midco), Kia Painter (EVP & Chief People Officer, Cox Communications), Loren Hudson (SVP & Chief Talent Officer, Connectivity & Platforms Comcast)

2025 PAR Top Companies in Content: AMC Networks, NBCUniversal, Revolt, TV One and Warner Bros. Discovery

(L-R) Detavio Samuels (Chief Executive Officer, REVOLT TV & Media), Samira Bakhtiar (General Manager, Media, Entertainment, Games & Sports, Amazon Web Services), Barbara Kalosieh (SVP, Distribution & Business Development, AMC Networks, Inc.), Michelle L. Rice (President, CLEO TV & TV One), Asif Sadiq (Chief Global Inclusion Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery)

Humans, Data & Decisions: Leading in a World Shaped by Technology

Humans, Data & Decisions: Leading in a World Shaped by Technology brought together Amy Blair, Clare Duffy, Sandy Lau and Mark Shafer for an engaging conversation on the evolving relationship between people and technology. The discussion unpacked how AI and automation are transforming the way we create, while emphasizing the need for empathy and ethics in decision-making. The session reminded attendees that technology’s greatest impact depends on how we choose to use it.

(L-R) Clare Duffy (Tech Reporter, CNN Business & Host, CNN Podcasts’ “Terms of Service with Clare Duffy”), Sandy Lau (SVP, Technology & Service Solutions, Comcast), Mark Schafer (SVP, Decision Science & Integration, The Walt Disney Company), Amy Blair (SVP & Chief People Officer, Liberty Global)

Profiles of Champions: Becoming a Corporate Athlete | Sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery

Profiles of Champions brought an inspiring close to the day’s sessions. Moderated by Linda Cohn, the panel featured Sydney Cummings, Lee Kiefer and Alana Nichols, who offered a master class in perseverance and being steadfast. Their stories highlighted how the mindset of a champion can inspire leadership in all arenas of life.

(L-R) Alana Nichols (3x Paralympic Gold Medalist, Motivational Speaker & Life Coach), Lee Kiefer (3x Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion, Foil Fencing), Sydney Cummings (Defender, DC Power FC), Linda Cohn (Hall of Fame Broadcaster & SportsCenter Anchor, ESPN)

The Power of Us: A Commissioner’s View

The Leadership Conference opened Tuesday morning with a candid fireside chat featuring FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty and Michelle L. Rice. Known for her policy expertise and commitment to public service, she reflected on pivotal experiences that influenced her leadership approach and discussed how collective action, perseverance and purpose drive real change in media and technology.

(L-R) Photo 1: FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty, Michelle L. Rice

Industry, Data and the Economy | Sponsored by Astound Broadband

CNBC’s Alex Sherman and Lillian Rizzo joined moderator Sara Salinas for Industry, Data and the Economy, providing a front-row view of today’s business environment. From market trends to mergers and acquisitions, the panel highlighted the key disruptions and opportunities defining industries today and offered perspectives that help leaders anticipate what’s next.

(L-R) Sara Salinas (Senior Editor, Business and Company News, CNBC), Lillian Rizzo (Media Reporter, CNBC), Alex Sherman (Media & Sports Reporter, CNBC)

Pearls of Wisdom: The Power of Us | Sponsored by Charter Communications

The Leadership Conference general sessions wrapped up with Pearls of Wisdom, a capstone of high-impact, TED-style talks from leaders shaping the future of business, creativity and culture. Maria E. Brennan, CAE reflected on her 16-year tenure as President and CEO and emphasized ensuring The WICT Network’s legacy continues. Cory Gardner, Lindsay Shookus, Marcia Dawkins and Damaris Phillips joined the stage to share lessons and insights designed to inspire new thinking and motivate action in every leader’s journey.

(L-R) Cory Gardner (President & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association), Lindsay Shookus (Founder, Speaker, Business Coach and 7-time Emmy-winning Television Producer, SNL), Marcia Dawkins (Researcher, Storyteller, Communicator), Damaris Phillips (Chef, Creator & TV Personality), Maria E. Brennan (President & CEO, The WICT Network)