Announcements
Application period for sessions in 2023 has ended.
Applications for 2024 will be received beginning March 1, 2024.
Award Description
The Next Generation Leaders (NGLs) and Luminaries awards celebrate emerging business leaders from multicultural backgrounds in the media, entertainment, and technology industries. These individuals are recognized for their outstanding career achievements, leadership, and dedication to driving progress in their organizations and beyond.
NAMIC Next Generation Leader Awards (NGL)
The Next Generation Leader Awards represent one of the industry's highest honors, recognizing exceptional executives who are shaping the future of media, entertainment, and technology. These leaders have distinguished themselves as innovators, trailblazers, and catalysts for change, driving new ideas and transformative strategies. Their leadership reflects NAMIC’s mission to champion excellence, inspire growth, and cultivate environments that embrace a variety of perspectives and experiences.
NAMIC Luminary Awards
The Luminary Awards recognize the rising stars of the industry—emerging leaders who are paving the way for the next era of innovation and influence. These honorees demonstrate exceptional leadership potential, forward-thinking approaches, and a commitment to shaping workplaces and content that reflect a wide range of cultural perspectives. Their contributions are driving meaningful impact and helping to shape the future of the industry.
2024 Next Generation Leader Awards Honorees
Tony Guevara
SVP, Inbound & Outbound Sales
Charter Communications
Tony Krueck
SVP, Cox Mobile
Cox Communications
Maria Soares
SVP, Production & Content Strategy
ESPN
Ravena Valentine
EVP, Chief People Officer
A+E Networks
2024 Luminaries
- Alexander Abraldes, VP, Day of Job, Field Operations, Charter Communications
- Celia Bouza, VP, NEXT and Social Production, ESPN
- Anabel Chavez, VP, Customer Service Operations, Charter Communications
- Nancy Chavez, VP, Inbound Sales and Retention, Sales & Marketing, Charter Communications
- Kimberly King, VP, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Global Advertising and Partnerships, NBCUniversal
- Zoraida Luciano-Barnett, VP, Market Intelligence, Sales & Marketing, Charter Communications
- Jose Morales, VP, Production, ESPN Features, ESPN
Award Details
Award Details
- Submission Deadline: June 20, 2025
- Winners Announcement: August 2025
- This prestigious group of leaders will be recognized during the Annual Awards Luncheon at the 39th Annual NAMIC Conference, October 21-22, 2025.
Entry Criteria:
- Must be a current NAMIC member
- Senior leader with demonstrated ability to lead with courageous decision making to meet key organizational objectives
Application Requirements:
- One (1) professional reference letter that would support the nomination
- Essay (500 words or less)
- Resume/bio
- High resolution (300 dpi) professional headshot
Essay Prompts:
In an essay of 500 words or less, please tell us about your nominee and why the individual is worthy of the Next Generation Leader Award:
- Why are they an industry leader in the industry and/or their company?
- What specific changes have been produced in the company or industry at large as a result of their efforts?
- How have they contributed to fostering inclusion within their company and/or the industry at large?
- How have they advanced the ideals of NAMIC within their company or the community at large?
Entry Criteria:
- Must be a current NAMIC member
- High potential leader with ability and aspiration to hold successive leadership positions in an organization
Application Requirements:
- Essay (500 words or less)
- Resume/bio
- High resolution (300 dpi) professional headshot
Essay Prompts:
In an essay of 500 words or less, please tell us about your nominee and why the individual is worthy of a Luminary Award:
- Why are they an emerging leader in the industry and/or their company?
- Examples of how they have shown exemplary leadership potential.
- How have they contributed to fostering inclusion within their company and/or the industry at large?
- How are they working to advance the ideals of NAMIC within their company or the community at large?
2023 NEXT GENERATION LEADERS (NGL)
- Chara-Lynn Aguiar, SVP, Strategy & Office of the Chairman, ESPN
- Catherine Mitchell, SVP, Product Development and Management, Cox Communications
- Puru Patnekar, Group VP, Marketing Planning and Operations, Charter Communications
- Valerie Spiller, SVP, Production Finance, A+E Networks
2023 LUMINARIES
- Heather Anderson, VP, Programs and Acquisitions, ESPN
- Marcus Best, SVP, Allied Multicultural, Allied Global Marketing
- DeAdria Wright Davis, VP, Customer Service, Charter Communications
- Mark Leon Guerrero, VP, Inbound Retention and Sales, Charter Communications
- Ileana Lagares, VP, Multicultural Marketing, HBO and Max, Warner Bros. Discovery
- Kevin Martinez, VP, Corporate Citizenship, ESPN
- LaRawn Robinson, VP, Inside Plant Network Operations, Charter Communications
- Trent Taylor, VP, Market Analysis, Charter Communications
2022 NEXT GENERATION LEADERS (NGL)
- James Hendricks, Group Vice President, HR & Administration, Spectrum Reach (honored posthumously)
- Kia Painter, Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer, Cox Communications
- Freddy Rolon, Senior Vice President, Programming and Scheduling, ESPN
- Monica Williams, Senior Vice President, Digital Products & Operations, Content Distribution, NBCUniversal
2022 LUMINARIES
- Denise Bennett, Vice President, Brand Strategy & Idea Lab, iHeartMedia
- Rahman Khan, Vice President, Community Impact, Charter Communications
- Noel Manzano, Vice President, International Programming and Development, AMC Networks
- Grace Moss, Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Programs, Warner Bros. Discovery
- John Singleton, Vice President, Video Operations, Charter Communications
- Tonya Walley, Vice President, Field Operations Strategy, Cox Communications
- Chin Wang, Vice President, Visual Storytelling, Digital Media, ESPN
- Sophia Zeinu, Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Workforce, Warner Bros. Discovery