Julie Talbott Among Gracie Leadership Award Honorees.

The Alliance for Women in Media has announced the honorees for the 2026 Gracies Leadership Awards, set for Nov. 16 at Tribeca 360° in New York City.

Zenia Mucha, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at TikTok, will receive the inaugural Gracies Vanguard Award. The new honor recognizes individuals whose foresight and ability to anticipate change help shape the future of media and its audiences.

Kristen Welch, Chief Financial and Operations Officer at Illustrative Mathematics, will receive the AWM Legacy Leadership Award for her longstanding commitment to the Alliance for Women in Media and its mission to advance women in media.

The event will also recognize four media executives for their leadership and accomplishments: Marilu Galvez, General Manager of WABC-TV; Tina Perry, President of OWN TV Network & OTT Streaming; Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks; and Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television.

"The women we honor through the Gracies Leadership Awards have not only achieved extraordinary success in their own careers, they have helped shape the future of media through their vision, leadership and commitment to excellence," said AWM President Becky Brooks. "For 75 years, AWM has championed the advancement of women in media, and we are proud to recognize leaders whose impact extends far beyond their organizations, opening doors, fostering innovation and inspiring the next generation of industry changemakers."

The luncheon will also highlight the AWM Foundation Student Fellowships, which provide female students studying journalism, broadcasting, digital media, communications, content creation, production and related fields with an opportunity to attend the event and connect with media leaders. Fellowship applications open Sept. 29 and close Oct. 16.

The 2026 AWM Foundation/NCTA – The Internet & Television Association Student Scholarship recipient will also be recognized during the event. Applications for that scholarship are open through Sept. 25.