FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2025
CONTACT:
Amanda Sawney
asawney@wict.org
Maria Brennan Stepping Down After 16+ Years at the Helm of The WICT Network
Washington, DC – Maria E. Brennan, CAE, will conclude her tenure as President & CEO of The WICT Network in April 2026, a transition that will mark the culmination of more than 16 years of successful leadership of the premier organization for women in media, entertainment and technology.
Brennan will continue to guide The WICT Network over the coming months to include oversight of the 2025 Leadership Conference in New York (October 19–21) where she will make her final public address to the conference audience.
Since joining the organization in 2009, Brennan redefined The WICT Network’s impact and scope working alongside the industry’s top leaders and Board of Directors. She spearheaded The WICT Network’s international expansion with chapters in Europe and Latin America, helped drive membership to record levels and oversaw the rebrand that positioned The WICT Network as a cross-industry leader. Brennan also strengthened the organization’s STEM efforts and research arm through the PAR Initiative, a benchmark study on gender representation in the industry.
“Maria is a transformational leader whose vision and passion elevated The WICT Network to new heights. During her tenure, she worked collaboratively with our stakeholders broadening the organization’s impact and championing the advancement of the industry’s workforce at every level. Her legacy of innovation, inclusivity, and unwavering commitment will continue to shape the industry for years to come,” said Michelle L. Rice, Chair of The WICT Network Board of Directors and President, TV One & CLEO TV.
To honor Brennan’s leadership, The WICT Network will establish a legacy endowment to advance lifelong learning, with Brennan personally contributing a matching gift to launch the fund.
Looking ahead, Brennan reflected, “Serving as President and CEO of The WICT Network has been the honor of my life. Together, with our dedicated members, leadership and staff, we have elevated the dialogue and made an irrefutable business case for having wide representation of all people in our industry’s workforce. For me personally, the time is right to make space for new leadership to carry our critical mission forward.”
The WICT Network Board of Directors will begin a formal search this fall for the organization’s next chief executive.
About The WICT Network – Advancing Women in Media, Entertainment & Technology
The WICT Network is a global organization dedicated to developing leaders who drive transformation across our industry. We achieve this through world-class professional development, original research and a dynamic B2B network that empowers our members. The WICT Network highlights the data that shows the strong business case for gender diversity, demonstrating how organizations with diverse workforces achieve higher profitability, greater employee engagement and faster rates of innovation and problem-solving. With nearly 10,000 members across 24 chapters worldwide, The WICT Network is the largest and longest-standing professional association dedicated to advancing and empowering the workforce. Charter Communications, Comcast NBCUniversal, The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery are The WICT Network’s Strategic Touchstone Partners. To learn more about the organization and our research, visit www.wict.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn (@WICTHQ).
