ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN IN MEDIA TO HONOR ESPN's HANNAH STORM WITH THE GRACIES ICON AWARD

NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) today announced that award-winning journalist, television host, producer and director Hannah Storm will receive the Gracies Icon Award at the Gracies Leadership Awards on Monday, November 16, at Tribeca 360° in New York City.

For more than three decades, Storm has brought journalistic authority and versatility to some of sports television's most visible platforms. At ESPN, where she has been a SportsCenter anchor since 2008, her work has extended across programs including NFL Live, NBA Today, NBA Countdown and WNBA Countdown, as well as major events such as Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the NBA Finals and the Rose Parade on ABC. Her career also includes prominent roles at NBC Sports, CNN and CBS News.

"Hannah Storm has set a standard for journalistic excellence while helping redefine what leadership looks like in sports media," said Becky Brooks, President of AWM/F. "Her groundbreaking career has earned the trust of audiences and opened doors for generations of women who see new possibilities because of those who came before them. Just as importantly, her commitment to mentorship ensures that impact continues. We are proud to recognize Hannah with the Gracies Icon Award and celebrate the lasting influence she has had on our industry."

Storm's influence extends behind the camera as well. Through Brainstormin' Productions, which she founded in 2008, she has produced and directed acclaimed projects, including Unmatched for ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A multiple Gracie Award recipient, she was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle in 2026 and received the Pat Summerall Award in 2025. She also continues to invest in emerging talent through mentorship and internship opportunities for aspiring journalists and broadcasters.

The Gracies Icon Award honors a woman whose influence has left an indelible mark on media, helped shape the industry and expanded what is possible for the women who follow.

The Gracies Leadership Awards will also recognize:

• Zenia Mucha, Chief Brand & Communications Officer, TikTok, with the inaugural Gracies Vanguard Award
  
  
• Kristen Welch, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Illustrative Mathematics, with the AWM Legacy Leadership Award
  
  
• Marilu Galvez, General Manager, ABC Owned Television Stations
  
  
• Tina Perry, President, OWN TV Network and OTT Streaming
  
  
• Julie Talbott, President, Premiere Networks
  
  
• Erin Underhill, President, Universal Television

The Gracies Leadership Awards celebrate women whose work and leadership are shaping the media landscape and inspiring the next generation. Proceeds from the event support the AWM Foundation's work to advance women in media through scholarships, mentorship and professional development programming.

The luncheon will also welcome AWM Foundation Student Fellows and the 2026 AWM Foundation/NCTA Scholarship recipient, bringing the next generation of media talent together with the women leading the industry today.

AWM extends gratitude to the sponsors whose support makes this celebration and its mission possible: Presenting Sponsor, TikTok; Premium Sponsor, Disney as well as Hallmark Media, Katz Media Group, NBCUniversal, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, Perry Jacobson, and Premiere Networks.

For event information and tickets, visit allwomeninmedia.org/events/gracies-leadership-award/.

For more information about the Alliance for Women in Media and the Gracies Leadership Awards, please visit allwomeninmedia.org

About the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM): The Alliance for Women in Media connects, recognizes and educates women across the media industry. AWM is a diverse community that facilitates industry-wide collaboration, education, and innovation. Established in 1951 as American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT), AWM is the longest-established professional association dedicated to advancing women in media. AWM harnesses the promise, passion and power of women in all forms of media to empower career development, engage in thought leadership, and drive positive change for our industry and societal progress.

SOURCE Alliance for Women in Media