The distinguished honorees who will be recognized at the 2026 Gracies Leadership Awards have been revealed by the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM). Among them is the Chief Brand and Communications Officer at TikTok, who is receiving a new award.
TikTok’s Zenia Mucha will receive the inaugural Gracies Vanguard Award at a ceremony scheduled for Monday, November 16 at Tribeca 360° in New York.
The annual event honors visionary women whose leadership, achievements and influence continue to shape the media landscape.
The Gracies Vanguard Award honors individuals whose foresight and ability to anticipate change help define the future of media and the audiences it serves. “Throughout her distinguished career, Mucha has demonstrated how strategic leadership, powerful storytelling and cultural relevance can create lasting impact,” AWM said. “As the inaugural recipient, she embodies the spirit of a true vanguard: expanding what is possible while helping set the course for those who follow.”
Meanwhile, AWM singled out Illustrative Mathematics Chief Financial and Operations Officer Kristen Welch by naming her the 2026 recipient of the AWM Legacy Leadership Award. Welch is being honored “for her longstanding commitment to AWM and her contributions to the organization’s mission to advancing all women in media.”
In addition to Welch and Mucha, four media leaders will be recognized for their accomplishments and “visionary” leadership:
The following media leaders will be recognized for their accomplishments and visionary leadership:
- Marilu Galvez, General Manager, WABC-7 in New York
- Tina Perry, President, OWN TV Network & OTT Streaming
- Julie Talbott, President, Premiere Networks, iHeartMedia
- Erin Underhill, President, Universal Television
The Gracies Leadership Awards will also spotlight the next generation of women in media through the AWM Foundation Student Fellowships. The program provides female students pursuing studies and careers in journalism, broadcasting, digital media, communications, content creation, production and related fields, the opportunity to attend the luncheon and connect with influential leaders. Applications open September 29 and close October 16.
Additionally, the luncheon will recognize the recipient of the 2026 AWM Foundation/NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Student Scholarship, with applications currently open through September 25.
