Women in Streaming Media announces new board members and kicks off 2022 mentorship program

Women in Streaming Media (WSM), a global non-profit organization focused on increasing diversity in the streaming media industry, today announced the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors: Megan Wagoner, Alesandra Madurowicz, Florence Agboma, and Polly Hickling.

Megan Wagoner leads the Americas division of Vimond and will serve as Vice President. Alesandra Madurowicz is a Streaming Video Executive for Media, Gaming & Sports at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and will serve as Head of Membership. Florence Agboma manages streaming quality for Sky and will serve as Head of Sponsorship & Speaker Engagement. Polly Hickling is Course Leader for the Media Technology Programme at Solent University UK and will serve as Head of Education.

Each of these Board members brings with them a unique perspective and the same unyielding drive to empower women leadership and create a more diverse future for the industry’s global technology providers, services, and platforms.

“This has been a pivotal year for Women in Streaming Media with significant milestones achieved across the organization and WSM initiatives. The founders are proud to welcome these four incredible women, with their deep history in the streaming media industry, to the board of directors” said alicia Pritchett, President and Co-Founder of Women in Streaming Media.

As Women in Streaming Media’s Board continues to serve and influence the organization, its membership is developing in a diversity of backgrounds and skills to reflect the organization’s mission and those they serve. Research has shown that women involved with inclusive, supportive organizations gain a competitive advantage. With the widespread burnout fueled by rising stress levels, Women in Streaming Media strives to foster genuinely inclusive cultures that support them and promote mental wellbeing.

“With the new board appointments, it is also particularly exciting to announce the 4th cohort of our formal mentorship program; an initiative to quickly identify female speakers aligned with their area of expertise as well as the initial launch of our internship program for students focused on the business of media. We also grew the membership base, the diversity of the board of directors and partnered with other women’s organizations to host a record turnout at our NAB networking event. I’m enthusiastic about the year ahead, what we will achieve together with the dynamic group of board members and re-connecting in-person,” Pritchett added.

“When I look around the streaming video industry, I still see mostly men in the boardrooms,” said Women in Streaming Media’s VP of Board and Mentorship Founder, Megan Wagoner. “Many women lack access to mentors who can help provide an edge to compete on an uneven playing field. The Women in Streaming Media Mentorship program pairs powerhouse women executives in the streaming space with women looking to springboard to their next level. Mentors remind women to bet on themselves and provide a unique perspective. When mentors share their stories of failure and success, mentees gain the confidence to speak up and take chances. We’ve seen 75% of our participants promoted, 30% moved into a C-suite role, and nearly 100% still connect with their previous mentors when they need advice.”

Women in Streaming Media’s Mentorship program, created by WSM VP of Board, Megan Wagoner, first launched in 2019 with six mid-level to executive pairings. With a goal of advancing gender equity by empowering women, today the program enters its 4th year with almost 50 women participants. The six-month 1:1 program is free, global, and virtual. The program is committed to developing current and future industry leaders through a safe and supportive network of women who are committed to exploring, growing, and developing one another. BCS Bureau