Six People Reshaping the Entertainment Industry Awarded at Inaugural NATPE Honors
This year NATPE Global is presenting the inaugural NATPE Honors Awards Gala, an event celebrating trailblazing individuals whose creativity and visionary leadership are reshaping the entertainment industry. The gala, hosted by Entertainment Tonight anchor Nischelle Turner, is one of the big highlights of North America’s premier content marketplace.
Building on the legacy of the esteemed Brandon Tartikoff Awards, the NATPE Honors have been designed to put the spotlight on those who are breaking new ground. “Each year, we’ll recognize individuals who not only challenge the status quo but also inspire change through their creative work and business leadership,” Mary Maddever, NATPE Executive Content Director and EVP of Realscreen, said.
Claire MacDonald, Executive Director of NATPE Global, added: “These awards reflect the spirit of innovation and leadership that defines our industry, celebrating those who push boundaries and inspire transformative change. As we launch this inaugural event at NATPE Global 2025, we’re thrilled to recognize these extraordinary executives and their impact on the future of media.”
Building on the legacy of the esteemed Brandon Tartikoff Awards, the NATPE Honors have been designed to put the spotlight on those who are breaking new ground. “Each year, we’ll recognize individuals who not only challenge the status quo but also inspire change through their creative work and business leadership,” Mary Maddever, NATPE Executive Content Director and EVP of Realscreen, said.
Claire MacDonald, Executive Director of NATPE Global, added: “These awards reflect the spirit of innovation and leadership that defines our industry, celebrating those who push boundaries and inspire transformative change. As we launch this inaugural event at NATPE Global 2025, we’re thrilled to recognize these extraordinary executives and their impact on the future of media.”
Paul Buccieri
The North Star Award
This award recognizes career achievements of individuals whose strong leadership has had a bar-raising impact, providing guidance as the industry navigates change.
PAUL BUCCIERI
Paul Buccieri is President & Chairman of A+E Networks Group, home to some of the most powerful brands in media including A&E®, Lifetime®, The HISTORY® Channel, LMN™, FYI™ and Vice TV. Paul oversees all aspects of the company, including Programming, Ad Sales, People Team, Communications, Global Content Sales and Licensing, the Scripted and Unscripted studios, Distribution, Marketing, Digital, and Legal and Risk. Paul is also laser focused on ensuring that all of the above is rooted in a strong corporate culture with an engaged workforce.
LUIS FERNÁNDEZ
Luis Fernández is Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, a world-class media company and industry leader in the production and distribution of premium Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. He oversees the company’s fast-growing multiplatform portfolio, including Telemundo’s flagship broadcast network and its entertainment, sports and news programming units, its digital and streaming platforms and the Universo cable network. He reports directly to Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group.
The Shift Disturber Award
This award honors individuals whose bold ideas and leadership are driving transformative change.
KELLY DAY
Kelly Day joined Amazon in January 2022 as Vice President, International for Prime Video where she serves as the leader for Prime Video’s SVOD, TVOD, and Channels businesses in all locales outside the U.S. Overseeing a team of regional and country managers, Day drives content and marketing strategies, greenlight decisions, and business performance for Prime Video around the world. Prior to joining Amazon, Day served as President of Streaming for ViacomCBS Networks International (now Paramount Global), where she was responsible for the international roll-out and growth of Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Before that, she served as Chief Operating Officer for ViacomCBS Networks International.
BETSY BEERS
Betsy Beers is a groundbreaking producer and the longtime producing partner of Shonda Rhimes. Under the Shondaland banner, they have developed and produced some of the most industry-leading series in television. Through Shondaland’s unprecedented exclusive deal with Netflix, Beers serves as executive producer on Bridgerton, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, Inventing Anna and most recently, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story which debuted at No.1 on Netflix’s English TV List and in the Top 10 in 91 countries. She is executive producer of the award-winning series Grey’s Anatomy and, along with Rhimes, developed and produced the hit series Private Practice, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, For the People, and Station 19 for Shondaland and ABC.
The New Establishment Award
This award celebrates emerging leaders whose new ideas and creative endeavors are shaking things up and charting a new path.
BRIAN TANNENBAUM
Brian Tannenbaum is Head of Originals for Roku Media, where he leads all aspects of original programming for Roku, including scripted series, unscripted series, feature films, and live events. A key member of the team behind the launch of the Roku Originals banner, he manages Roku’s original content strategy across all stages – from deal-structuring, to development, through platform launch. Tannenbaum oversees Roku’s forthcoming original slate, and he has also forged partnerships to expand Roku’s original sports programming.
The Cause + Action Award
This award celebrates a purpose-led champion of change for their social good impact.
RI-KARLO HANDY
Ri-Karlo Handy is a trailblazing entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience in editing, producing, and showrunning. He serves as Senior Vice President of Unscripted at Blink 49 and is the Founder and CEO of the Handy Foundation, championing content innovation and advancing underrepresented talent in Hollywood. Ri-Karlo’s career spans collaborations with major networks such as MTV, OWN, BET, and STARZ. His accolades include a Daytime Emmy nomination for Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward, a PRISM Award, and an NAACP Image Award nomination.
This award recognizes career achievements of individuals whose strong leadership has had a bar-raising impact, providing guidance as the industry navigates change.
PAUL BUCCIERI
Paul Buccieri is President & Chairman of A+E Networks Group, home to some of the most powerful brands in media including A&E®, Lifetime®, The HISTORY® Channel, LMN™, FYI™ and Vice TV. Paul oversees all aspects of the company, including Programming, Ad Sales, People Team, Communications, Global Content Sales and Licensing, the Scripted and Unscripted studios, Distribution, Marketing, Digital, and Legal and Risk. Paul is also laser focused on ensuring that all of the above is rooted in a strong corporate culture with an engaged workforce.
Luis Fernández
Luis Fernández is Chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, a world-class media company and industry leader in the production and distribution of premium Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. He oversees the company’s fast-growing multiplatform portfolio, including Telemundo’s flagship broadcast network and its entertainment, sports and news programming units, its digital and streaming platforms and the Universo cable network. He reports directly to Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group.
The Shift Disturber Award
This award honors individuals whose bold ideas and leadership are driving transformative change.
Kelly Day
Kelly Day joined Amazon in January 2022 as Vice President, International for Prime Video where she serves as the leader for Prime Video’s SVOD, TVOD, and Channels businesses in all locales outside the U.S. Overseeing a team of regional and country managers, Day drives content and marketing strategies, greenlight decisions, and business performance for Prime Video around the world. Prior to joining Amazon, Day served as President of Streaming for ViacomCBS Networks International (now Paramount Global), where she was responsible for the international roll-out and growth of Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Before that, she served as Chief Operating Officer for ViacomCBS Networks International.
Betsy Beers
Betsy Beers is a groundbreaking producer and the longtime producing partner of Shonda Rhimes. Under the Shondaland banner, they have developed and produced some of the most industry-leading series in television. Through Shondaland’s unprecedented exclusive deal with Netflix, Beers serves as executive producer on Bridgerton, Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, Inventing Anna and most recently, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story which debuted at No.1 on Netflix’s English TV List and in the Top 10 in 91 countries. She is executive producer of the award-winning series Grey’s Anatomy and, along with Rhimes, developed and produced the hit series Private Practice, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, For the People, and Station 19 for Shondaland and ABC.
The New Establishment Award
This award celebrates emerging leaders whose new ideas and creative endeavors are shaking things up and charting a new path.
Brian Tannenbaum
Brian Tannenbaum is Head of Originals for Roku Media, where he leads all aspects of original programming for Roku, including scripted series, unscripted series, feature films, and live events. A key member of the team behind the launch of the Roku Originals banner, he manages Roku’s original content strategy across all stages – from deal-structuring, to development, through platform launch. Tannenbaum oversees Roku’s forthcoming original slate, and he has also forged partnerships to expand Roku’s original sports programming.
The Cause + Action Award
This award celebrates a purpose-led champion of change for their social good impact.
Ri-Karlo Handy
Ri-Karlo Handy is a trailblazing entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience in editing, producing, and showrunning. He serves as Senior Vice President of Unscripted at Blink 49 and is the Founder and CEO of the Handy Foundation, championing content innovation and advancing underrepresented talent in Hollywood. Ri-Karlo’s career spans collaborations with major networks such as MTV, OWN, BET, and STARZ. His accolades include a Daytime Emmy nomination for Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward, a PRISM Award, and an NAACP Image Award nomination.
