In this issue: 

Final Program Announced for The WICT Network's Signature Luncheon
  • Join The WICT Network for our Signature Luncheon, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act
  • The luncheon will take place at The Plaza Hotel New York on Thursday, April 14 at 12:00 pm (Eastern), in conjunction with the B+C Hall of Fame dinner later that evening
  • Single ticket sales are available – click here to reserve your seat and purchase individual tickets

The WICT Network Announces 2022 Rising Leaders
  • The WICT Network announced the 180 designees of its 2022 Rising Leaders Program
  • The top candidates were chosen based on a highly-competitive selection process that involves more than 100 media professionals, themselves alumnae of the program

The Power of Mentorship Through Women’s TechConnect: Building a Pipeline of Tech Leaders
  • Meet participants of the Women's TechConnect program
  • Learn their insights about the program, skills that they’ve learned and how the initiative has impacted their career development

Chapter Leader Spotlight: Build Your Confidence & Embrace Success to Advance Your Career
  • Meet representatives from the boards of The WICT Network: Greater Chicago and Southeast Chapters
  • Learn how these women are moving forward by building their networks, investing in their own development and sharing their accomplishments. 

@WICTHQ on Social Media
  • Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter
  • Stay up to date on the latest news from The WICT Network, and learn more about the business case for gender diversity, equity and inclusion
Not a member? Join The WICT Network or renew today!
Final Program Announced for
The WICT Network's Signature Luncheon
Premier Sponsor ~ Comcast NBCUniversal

The WICT Network Celebrates 50 Years of Title IX with Powerful, All-Star Lineup

Tables are sold out, however single ticket sales are available – click here to reserve your seat and purchase individual tickets.
The WICT Network expects a sell-out crowd for its Signature Luncheon, taking place on Thursday, April 14, at The Plaza Hotel New York.

This year's Signature Luncheon program celebrates the 50th anniversary of Title IX with an impressive roster of Title IX Champions, industry executives and leaders from across the media landscape. The Signature Luncheon serves as a key diversity and inclusion platform for The WICT Network, showcasing groundbreaking work that supports the advancement of women. The lunch will take place in conjunction with Broadcasting & Cable's Hall of Fame dinner later that evening.

The WICT Network proudly recognizes Comcast NBCUniversal as the Premier Sponsor of the Signature Luncheon, as well as Ruby Sponsor Charter Communications, Emerald Sponsor Paramount, and Champion Sponsor Accenture.
All-Star Keynote Conversation
Jen Neal, EVP, Live Events & Specials, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, and Global Board Member of The WICT Network, will serve as the Signature Luncheon Honorary Chair. Neal will also facilitate a keynote conversation with Olympic medalist Aja Evans and Kathryn Tappen, esteemed commentator for NBC Sports and Title IX champion. Evans became an All-American college track & field star, both as a sprinter and shot-putter, and participated in the 2008 Olympic shot-put trials. In 2012 she transitioned to bobsledding, quickly earning her way to a spot on the U.S. Olympic Bobsled team, bringing home a bronze medal. Tappen is a former Academic-All American at Rutgers University (N.J.), where she was a member of the track & field and cross country teams. 
Fifty/50 Fireside Chat
The agenda includes a fireside chat with ESPN’s Fifty/50 Initiative producers and directors, Allison Glock and Dawn Porter. Also joining the conversation is Nicole Newnham, who together with Porter directed the four-part documentary series 37 Words, which will air as part of Fifty/50. The WICT Network's Global Board Member Laura Gentile, EVP, Commercial Marketing, Disney Networks & ESPN, will moderate the discussion. Commemorating the anniversary of Title IX, Fifty/50 is a monumental, month-long initiative highlighting the civil rights journey of women across the sports and cultural landscape that will launch across The Walt Disney Company in June 2022.
Industry Guests
Also joining the all-star lineup are industry executives Johnita Due, SVP and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, WarnerMedia News and Sports and a member of The WICT Network's Global Board of Directors; technology executive and The WICT Network's Global Board Chair, Sandra Howe; Ndidi Massay, VP, Workplace Culture & Diversity Initiatives, CBS Sports; and Global Board Vice Chair, Leigh Woisard, SVP, Corporate Communications, Cox Communications.

The program will culminate in a presentation of celebratory medals to honor several Title IX champions.

Read more about each of our special guests here.
The WICT Network Announces 2022 Rising Leaders

180 of the Industry’s Top Emerging Talent Chosen to Participate in
Immersive Leadership Development Program 
 
The WICT Network announced the 180 designees of its 2022 Rising Leaders Program (RLP). RLP is comprised primarily of industry professionals at the manager and director level who have demonstrated strong leadership potential within their companies.

The top candidates were chosen based on a highly-competitive selection process that involves more than 100 media professionals, themselves alumnae of the program.

The 2022 Rising Leaders will participate in an intensive program that trains them in critical leadership competencies, including strategic thinking, analysis, effective communication and leading high-performing teams. Participants will also design a professional development plan to implement following the program.

The WICT Network gratefully acknowledges Comcast NBCUniversal as the Silver Sponsor of the 2022 Rising Leaders Program.
 
"We are excited to welcome this year's 180 participants. The WICT Network's Rising Leaders Program is an essential training opportunity for emerging leaders to enhance their skills and evolve as leaders, especially in the context of rapid change which is ever present within the industry," said Jessa Cooke, Vice President, Educational Programs. “This program continues to sell out, demonstrating the value it brings to participants and the organizations that support The WICT Network."  

The following companies will each be represented in the 2022 Rising Leaders Program:
 
  • A+E Networks
  • Altice USA
  • AMC Networks
  • Blue Stream Fiber
  • Cable One (Including Sparklight)
  • Charter Communications (Including Spectrum Reach)
  • Comcast (Including Comcast NBCUniversal, Effectv & FreeWheel)
  • Cox Communications (Including Cox Media & Trapollo)
  • Crown Media Family Networks
  • ESPN
  • GCI
  • INSP
  • Paramount
  • STARZ Entertainment
  • WarnerMedia

Visit The WICT Network website for a complete list of participants, their biographies, and more information about the Rising Leaders Program.
The Power of Mentorship through Women’s TechConnect: Building a Pipeline of Tech Leaders
Irene Alvarez
Director, ISP for Charter Communications
Tanya Eichin
Senior Manager, Xfinity Mobile CX – Strategy and Ops for Comcast
Carol Ann Sweeney
Senior Manager of Business Operations for CommScope
Patricia Wilmot 
Senior Director, IT Telecom for Comcast
The Women’s TechConnect Initiative (TechConnect) is a joint effort involving Women in Technology  honorees, The WICT Network and the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) that provides a mentoring relationship between senior and rising cable media technology professionals. The goal of the initiative is to educate, develop and retain women in tech roles.  

Mentees apply for the program and those selected are matched with a mentor, drawn from the pool of Women in Technology award winners, who most closely meets their objectives. The WICT Network and SCTE support the mentors and mentees by offering online resources and tools, as well as underwriting event registrations and memberships. By meeting in groups as well as in their own mentoring pairs, participants develop a sense of community, helping the industry build a more robust pipeline of tomorrow’s tech leaders. 

In this article, four mentees and one mentor share their insights about the program, skills they’ve learned and the ongoing impact of their participation in the program.  

To read the full article, click here.
Chapter Leader Spotlight:

Build Your Confidence & Embrace Success to Advance Your Career
Lori Jackson
Director of Membership GA and AL for The WICT Network: Southeast Chapter
La Tarsha Simmons
President of The WICT Network: Greater Chicago Chapter
“People who consider themselves the most confident experience self-doubt and fear just like everybody else. What sets them apart is that they won't let these negative thoughts hold them back.” (Forbes

In this issue of the Pulse newsletter, The WICT Network spoke with two chapter leaders about building confidence and the importance of embracing both successes and failures. Learn how these women are moving forward by building their networks, investing in their own development and sharing their accomplishments. 

To read the full article, click here.
Connect With us Online

Follow @WICTHQ on social media (we’re active on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) for the latest news on gender diversity in the workplace, leadership development and productivity tips, programming updates and diversity, equity and inclusion data.

Below are sample posts from LinkedIn (left) and Twitter (right). Make sure to follow us online for more valuable tips and updates.

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