Rise Broadcast Reveals 2026 Awards Shortlist

London, UK, 12th September 2026 - 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