Television Academy Announces 2026 Executive Committee Members
The Television Academy announced on Thursday the appointment of five new members to its Board of Governors Executive Committee for 2026.
The appointees include Uzo Aduba, a three-time Emmy winner and Tony Award-nominated actress; Matt Cherniss, head of programming and domestic development at Apple TV; Jinny Howe, head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada at Netflix; Debra O’Connell, president of ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks at The Walt Disney Company; and Rob Wade, CEO of Fox Entertainment.
These leaders will provide strategic guidance to Chair Chris Abrego and the 2026 Board of Governors, addressing pivotal issues and initiatives facing the television industry while influencing the organization’s future direction.
“The next two years will be a pivotal period for both the Academy and our industry,” Abrego stated. “Bringing together this extraordinary group of leaders ensures we have the experience and insight needed to guide the Academy through this moment of transformation and strengthen its role as a vital, relevant and unifying force for the creative community and the future of television.”
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Additionally, the Academy’s Board of Governors has also elected the following Peer Group Governors to serve on the executive committee for the 2026 term: Phil Gurin (Producers), David Hartle (Production Executives), Christina E. Lee (Public Relations), Sabrina Wind (Producers), and Foundation Chair Tina Perry. They will work alongside Chair Cris Abrego, Vice Chair Jacob Fenton (Professional Representatives), 2nd Vice Chair Jo DiSante (Television Executives), Secretary Megan Chao (Documentary Programming), and Treasurer Tony Carey (Producers).
In a related development, following a special election to fill vacancies left by current Executive Committee members, Craig Wagner has been elected as a Governor of the Professional Representatives Peer Group, and Dave Harding has been elected as a Governor of the Documentary Programming Peer Group.
