About

OFFICER ROLES

• Annie Howell, Chair, Chief Communications Officer, Hallmark Media
• Katina Arnold, Incoming Chair, Vice President, Communications, ESPN
• Heather Cohen, Immediate Past Chair, EVP, The Weiss Agency
• Brenda Hetrick, Treasurer, President, Matrix Solutions
• Monica Bloom, Treasurer-Elect, VP of Marketing for First Look Media

2023 AWM Nominating Committee Members:

• Heather Cohen, EVP, The Weiss Agency
• Michelle Duke, President of the NAB Leadership Foundation and Chief Diversity Officer at NAB
• Abby Greensfelder, Founder & CEO, Everywoman Studios
• Annie Howell, Chief Communications Officer, Hallmark Media
• Mike McVay, President, Mcvay Media
• Josie Thomas, Former Executive VP, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, CBS (Retired)
• Christine Travaglini, President, Katz Radio Group

BIOS FOR NEW DIRECTORS PROPOSED FOR THE SLATE OF CANDIDATES

Cori Abraham, SVP, Entertainment Unscripted Development, Crime and Documentary Development, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

As Senior Vice President, Entertainment Unscripted Development, Crime and Documentary Development, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, Cori Abraham oversees all unscripted crime and documentary development across NBCU’s broadcast, cable and streaming platforms: NBC, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, SYFY, USA and Peacock. She reports to Rachel Smith, Executive Vice President, Development, Entertainment Unscripted Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

Previously, Abraham served as Senior Vice President, Development, Production and International, Oxygen Media, where she was responsible for overseeing the development team as well as led up International for the network. Abraham is the executive behind the development of series’ creative concepts and innovative formats which reflect Oxygen’s true crime programming filter. She was a key player in propelling Oxygen to new heights as it became one of the fastest growing cable entertainment networks and developed thoughtful and groundbreaking series for the network including In Ice Cold Blood, Injustice with Nancy Grace, Mark of a Killer and Up and Vanished, as well as break out event series like Catching a Serial Killer: Sam Little, Dirty John, The Dirty Truth, The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway and Aaron Hernandez Uncovered.

Prior to Oxygen, Abraham served as Vice President of Development at Bravo overseeing development on both coasts. During her tenure, she executive produced such hits as the two-time Emmy® award-winning Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, and developed The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She was also behind the development of the freshman series Bethenny Getting Married?, which at the time became Bravo’s highest rated series premiere in the network’s history. Previously, she served as Director of Development and Executive Producer at VH1 and spent three years at FX as the Director of Comedy Development.

A highly regarded industry executive and member of The Television Academy and the Producers Guild of America, Abraham has won two Emmy® Awards and her shows have received numerous NAMIC and GLAAD awards. She is an active participant with NBCUniversal’s Executive Mentor Program, providing guidance, advice and a positive outlook on the media business. Over the course of Abraham’s involvement, her mentees have continued on in their careers becoming heads of production companies and top industry executives. Abraham has also served as an industry expert speaking on many panels including those at Realscreen Summit and has also been honored by CableFAX as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Cable.”

Abraham graduated from the University of Wisconsin with two bachelor degrees, one in Communications Arts and the other in Theatre Arts.

Jayne Bussman-Wise, Creator Acquisition & Growth, Amazon AMP

Jayne Bussman-Wise has worked at the intersection of sports, technology, media and entertainment for over 18 years. Jayne currently works in the Creator Acquisition and Growth team at Amazon’s live interactive, audio service, Amp. Jayne works with broadcasters, musicians, DJ’s, artists, athletes and influencers to help reinvent and reimagine radio.  

Previously, Jayne led all content and communications for the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Arena. Prior to that, she helped launch New York City FC, Major League Soccer’s 20th franchise. She was the first-ever Digital Director for Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets. Jayne helped open the first-ever all sports museum in New York City and managed social media and marketing for the NHL’s New York Rangers. 

Jayne was a 2019 Cynopsis Top Women in Media Honoree and a Fast Company Most Creative People 1000 in 2014. Jayne has been a mentor for Women in Sports & Events, a judge for the Sports Technology Awards and a Stonewall Day Ambassador with Pride Live. 

Jayne has spoken at events including: AdWeek Brand Genius Think Tank, SXSW Interactive, Internet Week NY and the All Facebook Marketing Conference. 

Jayne has a B.A. in Economics from Brandeis University, where she was captain of the women’s basketball team. She currently resides in Asbury Park, NJ with her wife and two kids.

Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, CEO, American Urban Radio Network

Chesley Maddox-Dorsey is the Chief Executive Officer of A Wonder Media Company (AWMC), parent company of American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) and Superadio.  American Urban Radio Networks is the #1 Nielsen-rated national audio network company connecting African Americans to national advertisers. Through its streaming, audio, and digital platforms, AURN reaches an estimated 40 million weekly listeners. Superadio is a national syndicator with 25 multi-format radio programs and podcasts. Superadio shows are broadcast in every major market and throughout the U.S.

The first Black media company to enter the gaming space, AURN announced a 3-phase effort launching in 2023 that includes Superadio’s syndicated radio show “SIC 60”, AURN GAMING – Tournament Series and AURN GAMING – Game-casts.

Chesley was previously the CEO of Access.1 Communications Corp.-NY.  Access.1 owned and operated 15 radio stations, Vita, a bilingual magazine, an NBC-affiliated TV station, Superadio Networks; and was a minority partner of AURN.

Prior to joining Access.1, Chesley was a Senior Vice President in the Investment Banking division of Brenner Securities.  In this capacity, she was responsible for the media and entertainment practice of the firm and worked both on mergers, acquisitions, and the capital raising side for the firm’s media and entertainment clients.  

Chesley is consistently listed as a top industry leader and a recipient of a “2022 Gracie’s Leadership Award”. An engaged and committed citizen, she spearheaded the AWMC’s support of HARLEM WEEK, Hetrick Martin Institute, and the National Cares Mentoring Movement.  A graduate of Oberlin College, her commitment to education is reflected in her family’s enduring support of Oberlin College and her longstanding role on Oberlin’s Board of Trustees.  An active member of The Riverside Church of New York, she is also the proud mother of Kai Dorsey, an aspiring TV writer based in LA. Chesley resides in New York with her husband, musician, and educator Leon Lee Dorsey.

* All members who choose not to vote will be counted as an affirmation of the slate of candidates.