2026 Leadership Conference Recap

2026 Leadership Conference Recap

The WICT Network hosted its 2026 Leadership Conference at the New York Hilton Midtown, bringing together professionals committed to advancing their leadership and shaping the future of the media, entertainment, and technology industries.

Guided by this year’s theme, Future Ready: Learn. Lead. Grow., the conference explored what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. Through inspiring keynotes, expert-led sessions, interactive workshops and curated networking opportunities, attendees gained fresh perspectives, strengthened professional connections and explored strategies to lead with confidence, embrace new opportunities and drive meaningful progress.

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

Welcome & Opening Entertainment | Sponsored by Versant

From the first welcome of the Leadership Conference, the energy was unmistakable. Tracy Pitcher and Michelle L. Rice opened two days built to spark ideas and challenge conventional thinking. 

The high energy continued on, as they introduced our opening entertainment, the Second City Improv. They delivered plenty of unexpected moments and humor to get the day started!

(L-R) Photo 1: Tracy Pitcher (President & CEO, The WICT Network), Michelle L. Rice (President, CLEO TV & TV One)

State of the Industry: What Leaders Need to See Now

What’s really driving the future of media, technology, and connectivity? Kutgun Maral and Marci Ryvicker broke down the market forces, investments, and business shifts reshaping our industries, and why no single trend tells the whole story.

(L-R) Marci Ryvicker (EVP, Investor Relations, Comcast Corporation), Kutgun Maral (Managing Director, Evercore)

Leading Forward: A Conversation with Tracy Pitcher

What does it take to lead The WICT Network into its next chapter? 💬 President & CEO, Tracy Pitcher, took the stage with Rhonda Crichlow for an open conversation about her leadership journey, the insights she’s gained from connecting with members, and her vision for the future.

(L-R) Rhonda Crichlow (SVP, Community Impact & Engagement, Charter Communications), Tracy Pitcher

The Touchstones Luncheon

The Touchstones Luncheon, a signature event of the Leadership Conference, celebrated the 2026 Touchstone Award honorees. These awards recognized organizations making a meaningful impact across media, entertainment, and technology. The event also featured the Future Ready Challenge, an interactive game show that brought attendees together for friendly competition while testing their knowledge! Please click here for the Touchstones Luncheon recap.

Catalyst Award – Amazon Web Services (AWS)

(L-R) Kali Ridley (Senior Product Marketing Manager, Media & Entertainment,
AWS), Katherine Kelshaw (Senior Solutions Architect, Media & Entertainment, AWS), Tracy Pitcher

Connect Award – NBCUniversal / Bravo

(L-R) Harriet Hubball (SVP, Brand Marketing, Bravo), Jennifer Geisser (EVP, Communications and Talent Relations Bravo & Peacock Unscripted), Tracy Pitcher

Inspire Award – Versant

(L-R) Val Boreland (President, Entertainment, Versant), Roy Cho (President, Distribution & Partnerships, Versant), Tracy Pitcher

Growth Playbook: Sports and the New Bundle Era

Live sports are reshaping the media business. Friday Abernethy, Amy Geary, Tom Montemagno, and Amy McDevitt examined how shifting distribution strategies, new partnership models, and changing fan expectations are influencing revenue opportunities and the future of the media bundle. 

(L-R) Friday Abernethy (General Manager, Monumental Sports Network), Amy Geary (EVP, Platform Distribution & Partnerships, NBCUniversal), Tom Montemagno (EVP, Programming Acquisition, Charter Communications), and Amy McDevitt (Head, Sports Brand Partnerships, Amazon Ads)

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

Deitre Collins-Parker, Ali Krieger, and Priscilla Loomis took the stage for this year’s Profiles session, sharing how they navigate high-pressure moments, stay focused on their goals, and build the resilience needed to succeed. Their insights offered valuable lessons on performing at your best when it matters most!

(L-R) Ali Krieger (2× World Cup Champion, ESPN Analyst, Olympian, Investor & Advisor), Priscilla Loomis (Olympian, Media Personality & Entrepreneur, Priscilla Loomis LLC), Deitre Collins-Parker (Head Coach, D.C. Flight, Major League Volleyball)

A Keynote: Habits, Hopes, and Heroes | Sponsored by Optimum

Day 2 began with a powerful story of courage and leadership. ✈️ Capt. Tammie Jo Shults reflected on the defining moments, challenges, and people that shaped her journey, offering a personal look at navigating uncertainty, making tough decisions, and leading with conviction.

Capt. Tammie Jo Shults

Leading Through the Messy Middle: Trust, Talent, and Transformation | Sponsored by Liberty Global

Staying future ready requires leaders to remain adaptable, foster collaboration, and build trust across their teams. Panelists Karen Kovacs, Lori LeBas, Mansi Patel, and Melanie Penn shared insights on how leaders can respond to evolving workplace needs and create a culture where people feel confident moving forward.

(L-R) Karen Kovacs (President, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal), Mansi Patel (VP, Product Merchandising & New Content Exploration, Netflix), Melanie Penna (EVP, People Experiences, Connectivity & Platforms, Comcast), Lori LeBas (EVP, Platform Distribution Operations, The Walt Disney Company)

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

Our Pearls of Wisdom speakers brought their unique experiences, insights, and leadership lessons to the stage, and shared experiences that shape today’s leaders. Each keynote offered a fresh perspective and sparked meaningful reflection. 

Thank you to our speakers for sharing their wisdom!

(L-R): Tugba Yanaz (CEO, C-Suite Coach, Fortune500 Executive, Lead + Vision), Jennifer Hintenberger (9X Kettlebell World Champion, 20X World Record Holder & International Keynote Speaker), Yamilée Toussaint (Founder & CEO, STEM From Dance), Laura Brown (Journalist, Author & Founder, LB Media)