Parenti Among Eight Exceptional ‘Gracies’ Award Winners

NEW YORK — The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) on Tuesday celebrated the achievements of eight trailblazing leaders at its Gracies Leadership Awards, with honors going to a group of extraordinary women saluted their significant contributions to the media industry. The President and Publisher of Radio Ink and Radio + Television Business Report was among the honorees, who were celebrated with special Times Square display messages.

The 2024 honorees, singled out for their leadership, vision and dedication to excellence
across broadcasting, journalism, and digital media, are (shown, above left, in order):

• Sylvia Strobel, AWM Legacy Leadership Award recipient and President & CEO, Twin Cities PBS
• Holly Tang, CFO, NBCUniversal Entertainment
• Jen Sargent, CEO, Wondery
• Andrea Mitchell, NBC News’ Chief Washington Correspondent and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent and Host of MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports, recipient of the Gracies Icon Award
• Deborah Parenti, President & Publisher, Streamline Publishing’s Radio Ink and RBR+TVBR
• Jennifer Leimgruber, EVP of Entertainment Programming, Premiere Networks – iHeartMedia
• Sylvia Bugg, Chief Programming Officer and General Manager, PBS
• Sonia Coleman, Executive Senior VP and Chief Human Resources Officer, The
  Walt Disney Company, appearing by video

A luncheon event at Tribeca 360º saw Mitchell participate in a fireside chat, during which she shared tales of her journalism journey in conversation with TODAY EVP Libby Leist. The two discussed the importance of elevating women’s voices in the media, mentorship, and the lasting impact of bold, investigative storytelling made possible by diligent homework, checking your facts and doing research.

In accepting her award, Tang expressed her gratitude for the award and explained why it meant so much to her by noting, “I am a product of a women supporting women philosophy … throughout my career, influential women have gone above and beyond in supporting me, this is why I believe the Alliance for Women in Media’s mission is so important for all of us.”

Leimgruber noted, “If we all continue to use our positions to mentor and champion younger women within our organization the representation of women in the future will be changed forever.”

Bugg shared, “My parents would tell my sister and I growing up, would tell us, ‘you’re judged by the company you keep’ and that holds true here today … there’s beautiful company in this space.”

During her acceptance speech, Parenti shared, “This is a special honor coming as it does from women who have carved a path and – in many cases – put a few chips in that glass ceiling we so often reference. I have been more than fortunate to have that bank of support and encouragement over the years.

“I would encourage everyone to find and pursue your passion,” she continued. “I am still standing here because there are critical issues – the preservation of local journalism, diversity in broadcast ownership, and the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act – that I feel strongly about and as long as I have a voice, I will use it. Find your passion. Use your voice. Encourage others to do the same.”

The Gracies Leadership Awards is a major fundraiser for the AWM Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting and connecting the next generation of women in media. In addition to a raffle during the ceremony, the organization is hosting an online auction to continue its mission, with bidding open through Friday.

The festivities help mark the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of the Gracie Awards in 2025.

The winners were further honored with an appearance on a billboard in the heart of Times Square later that day, first shared by RBR+TVBR across its social media platforms on Tuesday.

AWM President Becky Brooks commented, “Today, we celebrate women who are making a powerful impact in executive suites and boardrooms. While we know there is still much work to be done, those of you in this room are paving the way for the next generation of women in media.”