Rise WIB, the global advocacy group championing gender diversity and career progression across the media technology industry, today announced the shortlist for the Rise Awards 2026. Returning to Troxy, London on Tuesday, November 17th, the ceremony will celebrate the achievements of outstanding women, advocates and organisations from across the industry. This year’s awards are organised in partnership with Gravity Media, with support from CueScript and DCE Agency. Tickets will go on sale for the awards on Wednesday 23rd September.
The recipient of the Woman of the Year Award, chosen by the Rise global Regional Council members, will be revealed at a later date. A Special Recognition Award will also be presented on the night, honouring exceptional dedication and contribution to the industry. Entries came in for the awards from across the globe including South Africa, Malaysia, North America and Australia.
The shortlist for the 2026 Rise Awards is as follows:
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
Company Award for Investment in Women – Sponsored by Ross Video
Ateme
Media Business Insight
Women Behind the Camera
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
