TEGNA’s Top Women in Media Honored With Cynopsis Award Nominations 

While 2021 had its fair share of challenges, TEGNA had its fair share of women who rose to the occasion, making them perfect nominees for the Cynopsis Top Women in Media Awards.  Congratulations to TEGNA’s Michelli Li, Julie Wolfe, Meredith Conte, Nicki Harkrider, and Carlin Watkins for being honored as Top Women in Media by Cynopsis. Winners will be announced in person on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at the Top Women in Media Awards Gala in New York City at Tribeca 360°. 

Learn more about our nominees and the awards: 

Local & National News Ambassadors: Julie Wolfe, News Director, KING 5 

Julie is not only a newsroom leader with a long list of accolades, but she also is dedicated to changing the culture and improving morale for groups that have often been overlooked, including the indigenous, working moms, and more. With a strong commitment to DE&I at the local level, Julie is a working mom that takes challenges in stride, while shining a light on these challenges to make effective change, not only in the newsroom but in her local community. She’s an advocate of showing support instead of stress, which is something we all need, no matter the culture.   

DEI Dynamos: Carlin Watkins, DE&I Engagement Program Manager, TEGNA   

TEGNA created the DE&I group to ensure all of TEGNA is as diverse as the communities we serve. Previously, Carlin was successful as Senior Corporate Recruiter, hiring a group of diverse leadership. But now, in a new position created at the beginning of the year, Carlin proves her strong dedication and relentless passion for DE&I is her strength. She’s taken the reigns and made strides, creating a more inclusive workplace across all of TEGNA. To say her future in this role is bright is an understatement, as she’s responsible for much positive change in such a short time.   

Game-Changing On-Air Talent: Anchor, Michelle Li, KSDK  

TEGNA is home to smart, strategic, creative, responsive, insightful, and passionate people. 5 On Your Side (KSDK)’s Michelle Li is the perfect embodiment of TEGNA’s Be in Good Company theme.   In January 2022, Michelle accidentally started a social media movement with casual banter during a :30-second segment discussing popular food choices for New Year’s Day. After receiving a troubling voicemail, Michelle became a trailblazer for the #VeryAsian community, handling conflict with grace while starting important conversations about diversity and inclusion. Her influence is felt nationwide, and now is the head of a non-profit which amplifies diverse voices within the AANHPI community.  

Corporate Visionaries: Nicki Harkrider, Local Revenue Officer, TEGNA  

The pandemic changed the way we work, and Nicki is one of the top leaders at TEGNA to recognize that the company needs to change with its people. By putting her people first, she’s been able to create a working culture that allows our sales teams (local and national) to be the best version of themselves, which, in turn, is driving record numbers for TEGNA in 2022. She’s also our sales team’s biggest cheerleader, and her enthusiasm and motivation to succeed is contagious. She truly lives the TEGNA daily purpose: to deliver client results and serve the greater good of our communities.