The WICT Network Pulse: January Issue | | |
What does effective leadership look like at this stage of your career?
Join the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute (BMLI) to connect with industry leaders and sharpen your perspective on leadership and strategy.
BMLI is a selective, cohort-based experience with a 30+ year track record of excellence, convening VPs, Senior Directors and equivalent leaders from across the media, entertainment and technology ecosystem.
Through BMLI, participants will:
- Create protected time to clarify their leadership point of view, values and vision
- Work with executive coaches using assessment-based insights to strengthen influence and decision-making
- Learn alongside a high-caliber peer cohort navigating the same complexity, pace and visibility
Participants leave as Betsy graduates with clearer priorities, an expanded enterprise perspective and a peer network they can draw on as their scope grows. Many graduates go on to larger roles and broader impact after completing BMLI.
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Application Deadline
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 18, 2026. For more information or to apply online, please visit wict.org/bmli-application.
Tuition
Tuition covers program costs including materials and daytime meals. Travel, hotel and dinners are the responsibility of participants.
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$20,500 for members
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$20,830 for non-members (rate includes membership with The WICT Network for eligible participants)
Most participants secure employer sponsorship for all or part of their tuition; if helpful, we can provide supporting information to share with your organization.
If you’re ready to invest in the next chapter of your leadership, we invite you to apply to the next BMLI class.
| For answers to your questions, visit the BMLI FAQ page or contact Jason Brown at jbrown@wict.org. | | |
The Signature Awards Luncheon Is Coming to New York
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | Cipriani 42nd Street, NYC
Tables Available Now
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This spring, The WICT Network invites you to New York City for one of our most anticipated events, the Signature Awards Luncheon. Hosted on Tuesday, May 12 at Cipriani 42nd Street, this annual gathering honors extraordinary professionals whose leadership is transforming media, entertainment and technology.
The luncheon will celebrate our 2026 Women of the Year and Women to Watch:
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The Woman of the Year Award is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to their company and the overall industry. They are proven leaders and assets who show great resolve to help others along their path.
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The Woman to Watch Award honors individuals who show tremendous success and promise through their professional accomplishments. They demonstrate exemplary leadership skills in their company and a strong dedication to the industry.
Help us recognize women making a difference. Submit your nomination by Friday, February 20.
Beyond the awards, the luncheon is an opportunity to connect with colleagues and come together to recognize the impact we’re making as an industry. Take part in a special and meaningful celebration! Reserve your branded table to attend, or reach out to ckey@wict.org to learn more.
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The WICT Network Gratefully Acknowledges the
Top Sponsors of the 2026 Signature Awards Luncheon
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The jump from strong performer to enterprise leader is real: more visibility, more complexity, faster decisions.
The WICT Network’s refreshed Executive Development Series features two programs built to meet that moment, helping directors and vice presidents sharpen influence, lead through ambiguity and show up with confidence in high-stakes moments.
Learn more about each program below and register for the experience that aligns with the leadership edge you want to build next.
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THE ADAPTIVE & AUTHENTIC LEADER
Wednesday–Friday, May 13–15, 2026
The Adaptive & Authentic Leader (formerly titled ‘Leading with Power and Authenticity’) prepares high-performing professionals to lead with clarity, resilience and integrity in today's rapidly evolving landscape. This program blends strategic leadership training with personal discovery to develop leaders who are effective, self-aware and grounded.
In high-stakes, complex environments, technical skills alone aren’t enough. This experience strengthens the inner and outer capacities leaders need to stay steady amid volatility, guide teams with agility and make confident, values-driven decisions.
Key Takeaways:
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Master modern power dynamics: Understand how power operates today and use it decisively to drive decisions, gain buy-in and mobilize teams.
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Deeper authenticity in how you lead: Translate your core strengths and values into a natural, trusted and respected leadership style.
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Grounded confidence: Balance confidence and humility while aligning your leadership with your vision and organizational goals.
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EXECUTIVE PRESENCE & INFLUENCE
Wednesday–Thursday, May 13–14, 2026
Executive Presence & Influence (formerly titled ‘Executive Leadership Presence’) strengthens how you show up and communicate in high-visibility moments so you can lead with clarity and confidence. First impressions form quickly, and they shape credibility, trust and influence. Through practical frameworks, rehearsal and real-time feedback, you will learn to project authority while staying approachable in person and virtually.
Key Takeaways:
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A defined leadership presence and brand: Understand how you are perceived and how you want to be experienced as a leader.
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Stronger communication under pressure: Practical techniques to stay composed, focused and impactful in high-stakes meetings, presentations and difficult conversations.
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Greater influence and visibility: Build credibility, inspire confidence and position yourself for broader responsibility with a leadership style that feels natural and sustainable.
| | Join us this May and choose the program that fits your goals today and your ambitions for tomorrow! | | |
Member-Only Benefit - 2 Complimentary Webinars!
Be Your Own Ally: Why Showing Up for You First Matters
Thursday, February 5
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Eastern)
Be the CEO of Your Career
Wednesday, March 4
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Eastern)
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Be Your Own Ally: Why Showing Up for You First Matters
Based on the book You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work (and How to Show Up As One!), this interactive session will explore the five practices of an Ally Mindset: Abundance & Generosity, Connection & Compassion, Courage & Vulnerability, Candor & Debate, and Action & Accountability. We most often think of these qualities in reference to how we show up in our relationships with others, AND it also applies to how we take care of ourselves. In this interactive session, you will learn how to “show up” as a friend for yourself first, so you can then show up for others in a more connected and meaningful way.
The audience will leave with:
- An increased awareness of the impact on your life when you do not prioritize self-care.
- An understanding of how the five qualities of an Ally Mindset apply to oneself.
- Increased self-awareness of how you consistently show up for yourself.
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SPEAKERS (Click below to read their bios):
Eric Spencer, COO, SkyeTeam
Ruby Vesely, CSO, SkyeTeam
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Be the CEO of Your Career
Most professionals were taught how to follow a career path. Very few were taught how to actively lead one.
In an industry shaped by constant change and consolidation, waiting for clarity is no longer enough. This session invites WICT members to step into the CEO role of their own careers and make intentional decisions about visibility, influence and direction.
Drawing on over 25 years in senior leadership and her work coaching leaders across industries, Karen introduces a practical framework for leading a career with clarity, agency, and strategic intent. Participants will learn how to communicate their value with confidence, navigate transitions without losing momentum, and design opportunities rather than react to change.
Participants will leave with:
- A stronger identity as the CEO of their own career.
- Clear language to communicate their value with confidence and influence.
- A practical framework for navigating transitions and pivots.
- Tools to make strategic career decisions instead of reactive ones.
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SPEAKER (Click below to read her bio):
Karen Kunkel Young, Executive Leadership and Career Coach
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Fellowship Opportunities for Veterans & Leaders in STEM
Deadline: February 13, 2026
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Applications are now open for The WICT Network’s 2026 Martha Soehren Veterans Fellowship and Nomi M. Bergman Fellowship. These fellowships support high-potential professionals who want to grow their leadership skills and expand their networks across media, entertainment and technology.
What Fellows Receive
- One year of membership
- Complimentary registration and travel stipends for select leadership programs, including:
- Executive Development Series
- Leadership Conference
- Tech It Out
Who Should Apply
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Martha Soehren Veterans Fellowship: Open to veterans currently working in the industry.
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Nomi M. Bergman Fellowship: Open to individuals currently employed in a technical role by an industry company, or by a company that provides technology products or services to the industry.
Questions? Contact Louise Martin at lmartin@wict.org.
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National Mentoring Month
January 1–31
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Mentorship is one of the most powerful ways to build community and support growth in the workplace. Through the TechConnect Mentoring Program, our partnership with the SCTE Foundation has connected women in technology with experienced mentors since 2011.
The 2025–2026 cohort is already thriving, participating in mentoring sessions, webinars and networking opportunities that foster learning and meaningful relationships.
Here’s what our mentors love most about mentoring:
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Mickie Calkins
"Mentoring is the gift of connecting to a living and breathing future. My experience of mentoring has repeatedly reignited my fire and commitment to the industry. I'm able to see it through the ambitious and creative eyes of my amazing, hard-working, and earnest mentees. I’m buoyed by the growth I witness and honored to have the opportunity to nurture and shape future talent for the industry. I experience true joy when I can reflect on my own career, share my learnings, and help someone else who might use it to navigate the wild river that leads to their own version of success. This connection is human, real, and oh so fun."
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Lori Spencer
"Mentoring has become a highlight of my professional opportunities. Connecting with motivated women who aspire to build more for themselves in all aspects of their lives is truly inspirational to me. I have cherished the mentoring relationships I have formed, which have continued beyond the formal mentorship program. These special people uplift me and I learn from them all the time. I’m so grateful to be a part of it!"
| | 🚨Student Membership Is Now Free! | | |
Great news! As of January 1, Student Membership with The WICT Network is now free—making it easier than ever to stay connected as you build your career in media, entertainment and technology.
Who’s Eligible?
- Full-time undergraduate students (12+ credit hours)
- Full-time graduate students (6+ credit hours) (Eligible for up to four years)
Student Member Benefits Include:
- Free dues
- Free webinars and early-career programs
- Targeted content, mentoring and networking
To get started, log in with your email at www.wict.org or contact membership@wict.org for help.
| | Download The WICT Network Member App, Available on All Mobile Devices | | | | |
The WICT Network Member App
Unlock the full potential of The WICT Network with our dedicated member app, available for download on all major mobile operating systems. Created to amplify the strength of our network, the app empowers members spanning the media, entertainment and technology sectors to connect more easily and meaningfully with their peers on a global scale.
| | The app has several features designed to help you easily form connections and make the most of your member benefits, including access to our Events & Registration, Webinars, Calendar, Groups and other Resources. | | |
Follow @WICTHQ on social media (we’re active on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram) for the latest news on workplace demographics, leadership development, productivity tips, programming updates, and impact and inclusion data.
Below are sample posts from LinkedIn. Make sure to follow us online for more valuable tips and updates.
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