Anaheim, CA – June 9, 2026 – WAVIT (Women in AV/IT) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Mary Cook Empowerment Scholarship: Designing the Future. Created in memory of industry pioneer Mary Cook, the scholarship recognizes emerging women leaders in the AV/IT industry who demonstrate passion, leadership potential, and a commitment to advancing their careers in audiovisual technology.
This year marks a significant expansion of the program, with two scholarships awarded for the first time, made possible through the support of sponsoring partner Shure. The scholarship program continues WAVIT’s mission to invest in the next generation of women in AV and honor Mary Cook’s enduring legacy of mentorship, advocacy, and empowerment within the industry.
The 2026 scholarship recipients, Alexa Johnson of IMS Technology Services & Emily Cieslak from TeamPeople, were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants for their enthusiasm, career ambition, and dedication to shaping the future of AV/IT.
“Mary Cook believed deeply in lifting others up and creating opportunities for women to grow within this industry,” said Brandy Alvarado-Miranda. “Expanding this scholarship to two recipients this year is an incredible milestone for WAVIT, and we’re grateful to Shure for helping us continue Mary’s legacy by supporting the next generation of women in AV/IT.”
As scholarship recipients, both winners will receive support to attend InfoComm 2026, including access to educational programming, networking opportunities, and industry mentorship experiences designed to help accelerate their professional development.
“Shure is proud to support initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for women pursuing careers in technology and professional AV,” said Althea Ricketts,
Vice President, Enterprise Initiatives for Shure. “The Mary Cook Empowerment Scholarship reflects the importance of mentorship, representation, and investing in future industry leaders.”
Emily is an audiovisual engineer with a passion for music, design, broadcast, and audio. She lives in Maryland with her girlfriend and cat and works in downtown DC on audiovisual systems for TeamPeople. She had this to say,” I am incredibly grateful to be honored with the Mary Cook Empowerment Award! From a professional and personal perspective, it is very special to be recognized by my peers in the industry. Thank you to the essential contributions of those who came before me to WAVIT, as well as to my colleagues at TeamPeople. I look forward to networking, learning, and viewing technological advancements in the industry at this year’s InfoComm.”
As a project manager, Alexa is passionate about creating opportunities for more women to explore careers in technology and AV. From Alexa, “One of the things I’ve learned throughout my career is that there isn’t a single path into this industry. My journey has been shaped by experiences that, on the surface, may seem unrelated to AV, but each one has contributed to the way I lead projects and work with people today. I hope sharing my story encourages others to embrace opportunities outside their comfort zone, continue learning, and recognize that their unique experiences can become some of their greatest strengths.”
The recipients will be formally recognized during InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas, including at WAVIT’s signature networking event, The Glow Up, taking place Wednesday evening during the show, as well as the AVIXA Women’s Council Breakfast on Thursday, June 18th.
In addition to celebrating the scholarship recipients, The Glow Up event will bring together women and allies across the AV/IT industry for an evening focused on connection, mentorship, and community-building. Attendees of The Glow Up will also have the opportunity to pick up commemorative Mary Cook memorial bracelets honoring her legacy and impact on the AV community.
For more information about WAVIT, the Mary Cook Empowerment Scholarship, or The Glow Up event, visit WAVIT Website.
About WAVIT
WAVIT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by and for women in the AV/IT industries. Our mission is to support women through education, inclusion, and representation, helping them to thrive at every stage of their career. Learn more at www.womeninavit.org.
Media Contact:
Brandy Alvarado-Miranda
BAM Marketing & PR Agency
[email protected]
