NAB Leadership Foundation president Michelle Duke and television journalist Katie Couric will receive top recognition from the Alliance for Women in Media at the 2025 Gracies Leadership Awards on November 18 at Tribeca 360° in New York. Duke will be honored with the AWM Legacy Leadership Award for her work at the NABLF and as NAB chief impact officer, while Couric will receive the Gracies Icon Award alongside additional leaders across media.
This year’s class includes iHeartMedia EVP, global music marketing and strategy Alissa Pollack; Paper Kite Productions head of audio and podcasts Jenna Weiss-Berman; Kino Lorber COO Martha Benyam; The Walt Disney Company president of global advertising Rita Ferro; BET Networks EVP, specials, music programming, music strategy and news Connie Orlando; and NBCUniversal Local chairman Valari Dobson Staab.
The program will again spotlight emerging talent through the AWM Foundation Student Fellowships, bringing female journalism students to the New York luncheon to meet industry leaders. Fellowship applications open September 29 and close October 17, and the event will also recognize the AWM Foundation/NCTA Student Scholarship, with applications accepted through September 26.
AWM Foundation president Becky Brooks said the honorees exemplify innovation and leadership across the industry, noting Couric’s groundbreaking role as the first woman to solo anchor a network evening newscast and her continued impact as founder of Katie Couric Media. Tickets are now available.