Gender and diversity advocacy group Rise WIB has revealed the shortlist for its 2026 Rise Awards, which celebrate the achievements of women, organisations and advocates across the industry.
The ceremony will take place at Troxy, London on November 17th. This year’s Awards are organised in partnership with Gravity Media and supported by CueScript and DCE Agency. A Special Recognition Award will be presented at the event, honouring “exceptional dedication and contribution to the industry,” with entries from around the world. The winner of the Woman of the Year Award will be announced at a later date.
The shortlist for the 2026 Rise Awards:
Advocate Award – sponsored by Techex
- Andreas Eriksson – Net Insight
- Dave Adams – Warner Bros. Discovery
- Matt Smith – Appear
Business Leader Award – sponsorship available
- Marianne van Meerveld-Delphin – Irdeto
- Sarah Lewthwaite – Disguise
- Sarah Willis-Zuurhout – Warner Bros. Discovery
- Trish Carruthers – Switch Media / Planetcast Media Services
Business Operations Award – sponsored by Encompass
- Anna Marciniec – Nevion (a Sony Group Company)
- Cindy Marie Leicester – Mediagenix
- Kelly Pereira – Irdeto
- Mariana Arrieta – Warner Bros. Discovery
- Thalia Crone – Fremantle
- Thalia Crone – Fremantle
Company Award for Investment in Women – sponsored by Ross Video
- Ateme
- Women Behind the Camera
- Media Business Insight
Influencer Award – sponsored by Disguise
- Carys Hughes – Sky
- Lauren Shone – Accedo
- Laurissa Yeung Shea – Warner Bros. Discovery
- Lisa Spencer – Irdeto
Marketing Award – sponsorship available
- Alexandra Coulson – Disguise
- Claire Hutcheson – Techex
- Leanne O’Donovan – Layercake
Product Innovation Award – sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery
- Beth Fairweather-Bloud – Sky News
- Carla Perez Soriano – Disguise
- Rojin Dashti – Volant Media UK
Production Support Engineer Award – sponsored by Appear
- Keri-Ann Read – Tyrell
- Krystel Richards – Warner Bros. Discovery
- Miriam Romitelli – Warner Bros. Discovery LATAM
- Sarah Adams – Sky
Project Management or Delivery Award (End User) – sponsored by BFBS
- Alice Hawes – BBC
- Deborah Williamson – Warner Bros. Discovery
- Emer Conlon – RTÉ
- Julie Robinson – QTV
- Li Anne – Warner Bros. Discovery APAC
- Shally Bandhu – Telstra Broadcast Services
Project Management or Delivery Award (Vendor/Service Provider)
- Caitlin Marron – BT
- Diana Russo – Deluxe Media
- Ilona Valent – M2A Media
- Lisa Gamble – Arqiva
R&D Engineer Award – sponsored by AWS
- Maren Ytterdal Krogsrud – Nevion (a Sony Group Company)
- Waleria Smirnova – Big Blue Marble Media
- Zeineb Hamdi – Cuez
Rising Star Award – sponsored by DXC Technology
- Isobel Lennon – Sky Sports
- Jade Warne – Yospace
- Maddie Perkins – Warner Bros. Discovery
- Mathilde Davidson – Sky Sports
- Natalia Polychronopoulou – Caretta Research
- Ope Onafadeji – QTV
Sales Award – sponsorship available
- Britni Bates – Haivision
- Kirsty Tinnirello – Arqiva
- Rebecca Knight – Disguise
- Serena Harris – Pixitmedia by Datacore
- Yvonne Picken – BT Wholesale
Student/Apprentice Award – sponsored by SMPTE
- Ani Nersesyan – NEP Europe
- Finn Selman – Ravensbourne University
- Gozde Sahin – Bitmovin
Technical Operations Award – sponsored by Vizrt
- Deirdre Temple – RTÉ
- Eunji Choi – Disguise
- Isabelle Moult – NEP UK
- Jyoti Yennam – Accedo
- Kelly Taylor – Sky
- Laura Mullan – Prime Video
- Linnea Hosten – Warner Bros. Discovery
- Tal Stone – NEP UK
