About

OFFICER ROLES

• Katina Arnold, Chair, Vice President, Communications, ESPN
• Monica Bloom (second term beginning), Incoming/Vice Chair, Chief Marketing Officer, MHz Choice | Topic Streaming
• Annie Howell, Immediate Past Chair, Chief Communications Officer, Hallmark Media
• Catherine Badalamente (second term beginning), Treasurer, President & CEO, Graham Media Group
• Marie Tedesco (second term beginning), Treasurer-Elect, Chief Financial Officer, Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.

2023 AWM Nominating Committee Members:

• Katina Arnold, Vice President, Communications, ESPN
• Jayne Bussman-Wise, VP, Team Business Operations, Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL)
• Heather Cohen, President, The Weiss Agency
• Michelle Duke, President of the NAB Leadership Foundation and Chief Diversity Officer at NAB
• Annie Howell, Chief Communications Officer, Hallmark Media
• Mike McVay, President, McVay Media
• Sylvia Strobel, President & CEO, Twin Cities PBS
• Christine Travaglini, President, Katz Radio Group

BIOS FOR NEW DIRECTORS PROPOSED FOR THE SLATE OF CANDIDATES

Isabel Lara, Chief Communications Officer, NPR

Isabel Lara is NPR’s Chief Communications Officer. The CCO is a new senior executive role that elevates and focuses strategic oversight of NPR’s communications with all audiences, ensuring a unified and consistent voice and a strong representation of the NPR brand across channels. Lara oversees the combined team that leads NPR’s press outreach, crisis communications, audience relations, talent relations, corporate messaging and stakeholder communications.

Lara has led NPR’s media relations team and acted as the organization’s spokesperson since 2014, most recently as Executive Director for Media Relations. She feels privileged to support the people who work around the clock every day to bring millions of listeners the news they need about the world and their communities, as well as art, music and science stories that enrich and give meaning to their lives.

Lara is a veteran communications expert, with over 20 years of experience in the field. During her tenure at NPR, she has demonstrated communications excellence in designing and implementing proactive press strategies around key news, programming, and organizational developments that have built visibility, awareness, and audience for NPR and Member stations. She has also led NPR’s public messaging for a range of corporate issues and developments, including reputation management and strategy.

Before coming to NPR, Lara worked at the National Education Association, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Latino Center, as well as Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation in New York and El Universal in Caracas. She graduated cum laude with a degree in Literature from Universidad Católica Andres Bello in Caracas and has a Master’s in Media Studies from the New School in New York.

Jaclyn Levin, President, Shriver Media

With a dynamic career spanning over three decades in the media industry, Jaclyn Levin has established herself as a formidable leader and innovator in television and digital media. Currently serving as the President of Shriver Media since January 2021, she has been instrumental in shaping the strategic vision of this multi-platform, award winning company. Her role involves amplifying and monetizing various assets, including newsletters, websites, digital platforms, documentaries, films, books, podcasts, virtual summits and series, sponsorships, and a paid membership community.

Prior to her current role, Jaclyn was an executive-level consultant for CBS Entertainment’s “The Talk” (March 2022 – July 2023), where she worked closely with the senior leadership team including the President of CBS Entertainment. Her expertise significantly enhanced the show’s presence and editorial content.

Jaclyn has an impressive history with NBC News (1994 – 2020), where she held several high-profile positions. As the Executive Producer of the 3rd Hour of TODAY from November 2018 to August 2020, she managed all of the show’s editorial, programming, and production aspects. Her leadership skills shone brightly as she rebuilt the entire show format in less than 48 hours. Under her tenure, the show consistently outperformed its competitors and achieved significant audience growth.

As the Executive Producer for Megyn Kelly TODAY from June 2017 to October 2018, Jaclyn created and launched the show, which received a Gracie Award and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Talk Show in less than a year on the air.

Jaclyn’s journey with NBC News also includes her time as a Senior Producer and Senior Publishing Producer for TODAY, where she was responsible for oversight of award winning, exploratory series and event programming, maintaining relationships with publishing insiders and overseeing all book-related content.

Her career began at ABC News, where she worked in various capacities from 1988 to 1994, culminating in her role as an Associate Producer for Primetime Live.

Jaclyn’s illustrious career is marked by numerous accolades, including 4 Emmy Awards, 3 Gracie Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, 2 Daytime Emmy Nominations, and an Anthem Award. She was also recognized in Variety’s 2020 Power of Women Impact Report. Her commitment to excellence, visionary leadership, and vast experience in media production and management continue to influence the industry significantly.

Christine Moran, Head of Creator Partnerships, Electrify Video Partners

Christine Moran is currently the Head of Creator Partnerships at Electrify Video Partners, a next-generation media company backed by Capital D and MEP that invests in and scales established creator businesses, including YouTube channels that together have over 30 million subscribers and over 10 billion views. As such, Christine identifies and develops opportunities with world-class creators for Electrify to partner with and invest in their growth. In doing so, she leverages over 10 years of experience in the media and consumer technology space developing strategic partnerships, licensing content, and collaborating with emerging companies to established creators from film/TV, music, podcasts, social media, and more for CBS, VERO (social network start-up), and Amazon. Christine is driven to empower creators to expand their audience reach, drive content innovation, and develop thriving creator brands and businesses. This is fueled by her passion to ensure inclusivity and representation in the media since she firmly believes that storytellers are the key to uplifting and fostering unity among all communities and cultures, especially those historically marginalized. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, with additional degrees from the London School of Economics & Political Science and Brooklyn Law School, and is based in the NY metro area with her husband and two children.

Debra OConnell, President, Networks and Television Business Operations, Disney Entertainment Television

Debra OConnell is president of Networks and Television Business Operations for Disney Entertainment Television, reporting into Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden.

In her role as president of Networks and TV Business Operations for Disney Entertainment Television (DET), Debra oversees has operational leadership including P&L oversight of the Company’s multiplatform linear entertainment networks, including ABC broadcast network, Disney Channels, FX Networks, Freeform and National Geographic Channels. She also has oversight of the ABC Owned Television Stations, as well as the Research, Data and Analytics and Labor Relations teams for DET.

At the company for more than 25 years, OConnell recently served as president and general manager of ABC7/WABC-TV New York, the most-watched station in the country. She had overall management responsibility for the station and all of its ancillary businesses as well as “Live with Kelly and Mark.” Under her leadership, the long-running hit syndicated series became the No. 1 daytime talk show for the first time in franchise history. In her previous executive roles, she served as executive vice president, Sales and Marketing, of Disney|ABC’s consolidated advertising sales group; president, National TV Sales, ABC Owned Television Station; and vice president of marketing at WABC-TV.

She is a seasoned executive with broad business acumen and deep operational experience. Most recently, she was named Broadcasting & Cable’s Broadcaster of the Year 2022 and was honored with a 2022 Gracie Leadership Award from the Alliance of Women in Media. In 2018, Multichannel News named her among their Wonder Women of the year.

OConnell is currently on the board and served as chair in 2021-2022 for TVB, a not-for-profit trade association representing America’s local broadcast television industry. She is an ex officio member of the board of directors and previously served as chairman of the International Radio & Television Society (IRTS), a well-respected industry organization that focuses on mentorship, access, education and diversity. She also serves on the V Foundation event board and advisory boards for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and League of Women Voters of New York City. She previously held board positions with the NY State Broadcasters Association and The Broadway Association.

Additionally, OConnell is an active participant in The Walt Disney Company’s VoluntEARS program and was honored with the Executive Champion Award for her vigorous support and involvement. She also is involved with many other charitable initiatives, including Sade Baderinwa’s Get Reel Foundation. In 2022, she was recognized as an NY Edge honoree for her support of their work bridging the opportunity gap for kids across the NYC area. She is chair of the 2023 fundraising gala.  

OConnell also serves as a mentor, which is one of the most gratifying parts of her career – to be able to give back, provide insight and guidance while watching amazing talent and individuals with possibility grow. In 2021, she was recognized by International Radio & Television Society Foundation’s Hall of Mentorship for her many contributions across the industry.

She graduated summa cum laude from Dowling College with a Bachelor of Science in professional studies and a major in marketing.

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