Announcements
Application period for sessions in 2023 has ended.
Applications for 2024 will be received beginning March 1, 2024.
Award Description
The Luminaries and Next Generation Leaders (NGLs) awards celebrate emerging business leaders from all 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 Luminary Awards
The Luminary Award is NAMIC NEXT's highest individual honor. It recognizes an accomplished executive whose leadership, vision, and influence have transformed organizations and advanced the industry.
This award honors leaders who consistently demonstrate strategic excellence, inspire innovation, build high performing teams, and invest in developing future leaders. Their influence extends well beyond their own accomplishments, creating lasting impact through the people they inspire and the organizations they strengthen.
NAMIC Next Generation Leader Awards (NGL)
The Next Generation Leader Award recognizes an emerging leader whose vision, initiative, and leadership are helping shape the future of the industry.
These rising professionals demonstrate exceptional potential, deliver meaningful results, and inspire confidence through their leadership. They embrace collaboration, invest in others, and represent the next generation of industry leadership.
2025 Luminaries
Jeff Meza
EVP, Head of Branded Entertainment & Integrated Marketing, Urban One
LaKendra Moxie
VP, Technical Operations and Service Delivery, Cox Communications
Chima Ogbuokiri
SVP, Growth & Partner Marketing Strategy, AMC Networks
Anju Shunglu
Group VP, Business Planning, Customer Operations, Charter Communications
2025 Next Generation Leaders
Samy Ben Aissa
VP, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Finance & Development, Charter Communications
Alex Gonzalez
Area VP, Field Operations, Charter Communications
Lamarr Gordon
VP, Information Technology, Charter Communications
Donovan Reade
VP, Network Operations, Charter Communications
Ryan Richards
VP, Audience and Content Development, Spectrum News
Sara Salmabadi
VP, Commission Operations, Charter Communications
Miranda Thorpe
VP, Charlotte Office and Production Management, ESPN
Fang Xu
VP, Talent Acquisition and Employee Experience, A+E Global Media
Award Details
Award Details
- Submission Deadline: August 28, 2026
Eligibility
Nominees should:
- Hold a senior executive or industry leadership position.
- Demonstrate a sustained record of strategic leadership and measurable organizational impact.
- Be recognized for innovation, collaboration, and industry influence.
- Demonstrate a commitment to developing leaders and creating opportunities for others to grow.
Nomination Requirements
Required
- Essay of no more than 500 words
- LinkedIn profile
- Professional headshot at 300 dpi
Optional
- One professional letter of recommendation
Essay Prompt
In 500 words or fewer, describe why your nominee deserves the Luminary Award.
Please include examples of:
- Visionary leadership.
- Measurable organizational or industry impact.
- Innovation and significant achievements.
- How the nominee develops, mentors, or inspires other leaders.
- Why this individual represents the highest standard of leadership.
Eligibility
Nominees should:
- Be an emerging leader.
- Demonstrate exceptional leadership potential.
- Have made meaningful contributions within their organization or industry.
- Show a commitment to developing others and creating positive impact.
Essay Prompt
Please describe:
- Leadership potential.
- Meaningful accomplishments.
- Innovation and initiative.
- How the nominee encourages the growth and success of others.
- Why this individual represents the future of leadership.
2024 NEXT GENERATION LEADERS (NGL)
- 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
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