The Alliance for Women in Media and its Foundation announces 2022 Board of Directors & Officers, including incoming Graham Media Group CEO

Graham Media Group’s next CEO, Catherine Badalamente

The Alliance for Women in Media and its Foundation (AWM/F) recently announced the 2022 National Board of Directors and Officers, which includes Catherine Badalamente, our current vice president and chief innovation officer, who is also Graham Media Group's incoming CEO.

Also new to the AWM board are: Monica Bloom, VP of Marketing, First Look Media; Thea Mitchem, Executive Vice President of Programming, iHeart Media; and Marie Tedesco, Chief Financial Officer, Beasley Media Group.

New to the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) Board are: Tim Clarke, Senior Vice President, Digital Audio Content, Audacy and Vicki Lins, President and CEO, CTAM.

Officers of the board have been announced as Heather Cohen, Executive Vice President, The Weiss Agency, serving as chair; Annie Howell, Chief Communications Officer, Crown Media Family Networks (Hallmark), serving as incoming chair; Keisha Sutton-James, CEO & Founder, Sutton Button Productions LLC, serving as immediate past chair; Brenda Hetrick, Chief Revenue Officer, Matrix Solutions, serving as treasurer, and Katina Arnold, Vice President, Corporate Communications, ESPN, serving as incoming treasurer.

“The role of the AWM and Foundation boards is to lead our organizations and industry as we recognize, connect and educate women in all facets of media.” stated Becky Brooks, president, AWM/F. “The past two years have proven that leadership of an organization is critical to navigate through uncertain times. It is as important as it’s ever been to have insightful, diverse leadership. This year’s directors are dedicated to donating time and resources to guide us to the next level. We are thrilled to have these talented, accomplished women and men guiding our strategic initiatives.”

The following leaders will continue to serve as Directors at Large of AWM: Marsha Cooke, Vice President & Executive Producer, ESPN Films and 30 for 30; Abby Greensfelder, Founder & CEO, Everywoman Studios; and, Katherine Wolfgang, Head of Public Relations, CBC. Svetlana Gans, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at NCTA – The Internet & Television Association (NCTA); Mike McVay, President, McVay Media; Deborah Parenti, Publisher, RadioInk, RBR and TVBR; Josie Thomas, former (retired) Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion

Officer, CBS and Christine Travaglini, President, Katz Radio Group; will continue to serve as a Director at Large of AWMF.

AWMF is also pleased to announce Heather Cohen, Annie Howell and Mike McVay will continue to serve as chairs for the Gracie Awards.

Emily L. Barr, president and CEO of Graham Media Group to retire; Catherine Badalamente named as successor

Emily L. Barr, president and chief executive officer of Graham Media Group, the local media division of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC), has announced that she will retire from that position later this year. Catherine Badalamente has been named her successor.

“Emily’s leadership has been critical to the company’s success. Graham Media Group has continued its tenure as a best-in-class operator, and Emily has led the organization to receive numerous awards and achieve record earnings," said Timothy J. O’Shaughnessy, chief executive officer of Graham Holdings Company. "(Emily's) deep commitment to the communities we serve has been unparalleled. But perhaps the greatest element of her legacy is the excellence of the team she has built, as evidenced by her successor, Catherine Badalamente. On behalf of everyone at Graham Holdings, I want to thank Emily for her decade of service to the company.”

Current Graham Media Group President and CEO Emily Barr

Badalamente joined Graham Media Group (formerly Post-Newsweek Stations) in 2000. She has served in a number of executive leadership roles, spearheading the organization’s digital efforts since 2009; most recently as vice president and chief innovation officer.

Graham Media Group and Graham Digital have received numerous awards under Badalamente’s management, recognizing the organization for excellence in digital, podcast and local news production. Under her direction, the company has been at the forefront of developing NextGen TV monetization strategies and models for both digital and broadcast.

An industry thought-leader and award-winning presenter, Badalamente is active in several industry forums, including serving as chair of the board of directors of the Local Media Association, treasurer of the board of directors of the Local Media Foundation, and immediate past chair of the National Association of Broadcasters Digital Officers Committee. She earned a BA in communications from John Carroll University.

The next GMG President and CEO, Catherine Badalamente

“I could not be more pleased to appoint Catherine the new CEO of Graham Media Group," O’Shaughnessy said. "Catherine has helped keep GMG ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing industry, including her leadership in growing each of our digital news sites to be Comscore-ranked No. 1 in their local markets. As the next generation of Graham Media Group unfolds, we have a next generation leader to help steer the ship.”

Barr joined Graham Media Group, then Post–Newsweek Stations, in 2012. Under her leadership, she has transformed the organization from a broadcast-based model to seven local media hubs — each in a top-71 market, representing just under 7% coverage in the U.S.

The television stations, web and mobile platforms are recognized as news leaders across the media spectrum. During Barr's tenure, Graham Media Group acquired Social News Desk, a leading provider of social media software utilized by thousands of newsrooms around the world. Barr is also responsible for the creation of Graham Digital, a digital media and technology development group based in Detroit.

Graham Media Group was awarded the 2021 Broadcaster of the Year honor by TV NewsCheck, the 2016 Station Group of the Year by Broadcasting and Cable Magazine, and has received numerous accolades during Barr’s tenure.

In 2020, Barr received the Broadcaster of the Year award from Broadcasting & Cable Magazine; and, later this spring, she will be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. Honored for her civic involvement, Barr is also the 2018 recipient of the Golden Mike Award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America, and was inducted into the 2016 Silver Circle of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She was also awarded the 2014 Vincent T. Wasilewski Broadcaster of the Year by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Most recently, Barr was elected to the 2021 class of the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation’s Giants of Broadcasting and Electronic Arts.