HR Game Changers: 2024 Award Winners

“Game-changers compare what‘s possible to what’s currently being done. They spur a shift in the status quo.”
— Investopedia

The C2HR Game Changers awards program celebrates extraordinary talent across our community of 4,800 human resources professionals in the media, technology and entertainment industry. HR Game Changers set the bar when it comes to innovating, driving results and elevating the employee experience. We’re thrilled to honor C2HR’s 2024 class of HR Game Changers.

For larger teams (denoted with a *), full team photos are featured at the end of the page.

 

Thank You, Awards Sponsor!

Advocates

Advocates are individuals and teams who elevate the people within an organization by creating an inclusive, welcoming environment to foster a real sense of belonging. They remove barriers and create opportunities to empower talent across the organization. The 2024 HR Game Changers in the Advocates category are:

 

Barbara Cowan
Barbara Cowan

VP, Talent & Inclusion, Comcast Advertising

Patti Hawkey
Patti Hawkey

Director of HR, Midco

 Cultivators

Cultivators build culture and amplify employee engagement by encouraging cross-department communication and collaboration. They are true ambassadors of relationship building and the glue that binds countless employees into a unified, synergistic team. The 2024 Cultivators are:

 

Sarah Furber
Sarah Furber

Senior Director, Talent & Engagement, Comcast Advertising

John Kim
John Kim

Director of Employee Relations, Disney

Christina Simonetti
Christina Simonetti

Vice President, Human Resources, NBCUniversal

Melissa Talamini
Melissa Talamini

Manager, Talent Acquisition, Warner Bros. Discovery

Deeyun Wheeler
Deeyun Wheeler

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist, ESPN

Comcast Accelerated Development Team*
Comcast Accelerated Development Team*
Comcast NBCUniversal Enterprise Rotational Programs Team
Comcast NBCUniversal Enterprise Rotational Programs Team
NBCUniversal HR Leadership Team & Talent Lab*
NBCUniversal HR Leadership Team & Talent Lab*

Ignitors

In their quest to elevate others, Ignitors champion development and mentoring programs. Their commitment to creating a clear pathway for advancement is inspiring. The 2024 Ignitors are:

Genevieve Bochanty
Genevieve Bochanty

Senior Manager, Learning & Development, A+E Networks

Mike Hess
Mike Hess

Founder & Executive Director, Blind Institute of Technology

Masai Turner
Masai Turner

Director of Learning & Development, Midco

Kristle Westry
Kristle Westry

HR Business Partner, ESPN

Cox Communications Grow with Us Team*
Cox Communications Grow with Us Team*
NBCUniversal Innovate Experience
NBCUniversal Innovate Experience

Strategists

Recipients in this category have the ability to see the big picture. They work tirelessly to advance their vision from a concept to a reality, thus helping their organizations achieve greater success. The 2024 Strategists are:

Keva Hargrove
Keva Hargrove

Benefits Analyst, A+E Networks

Kiara Marquez Mitchell
Kiara Marquez Mitchell

Manager, HR Business Partner, ESPN

Katie Warren
Katie Warren

Manager, Human Resources, DreamWorks Animation

Comcast Talent Management Council*
Comcast Talent Management Council*
Comcast Global Talent Acquisition Team*
Comcast Global Talent Acquisition Team*
Cox Communications Red Teaming Coaching*
Cox Communications Red Teaming Coaching*

Transformers

Transformers leverage data, technology and creative thinking to innovate programs, processes and initiatives. These award recipients are passionate agents of change who exhibit agility and a fierce determination to drive results. The 2024 HR Game Changers in the Transformers category are:

Maria Ceravolo
Maria Ceravolo

Vice President, Human Resources, Comcast Advertising

Elyssa Fox
Elyssa Fox

Senior Director, Talent Acquisition Operations, NBCUniversal

Shefali Kumar
Shefali Kumar

HR Business Partner, Cox Communications

Tanmay Manohar
Tanmay Manohar

Vice President, People Analytics & Workforce Planning, Paramount Global

Kelly Martinko
Kelly Martinko

Senior Director of Global Flex Talent, Warner Bros. Discovery

Susan Plungis
Susan Plungis

Program Manager, Learning & Development, ESPN

Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson

Director of Human Resources, Midco

Comcast Sales Lab Team*
Comcast Sales Lab Team*
Cox Communications Curriculum Development & Creative Media Team*
Cox Communications Curriculum Development & Creative Media Team*
Cox Communications Pay Transparency Team
Cox Communications Pay Transparency Team
NBCUniversal Compensation Team*
NBCUniversal Compensation Team*
Warner Bros. Discovery Ad Sales People & Culture Team
Warner Bros. Discovery Ad Sales People & Culture Team
Warner Bros. Discovery Studio Operations Talent Acquisition Team
Warner Bros. Discovery Studio Operations Talent Acquisition Team

Team Pictures 

Cox Communications Grow With Us Team

Comcast Talent Management Council

Comcast Global Talent Acquisition Team

Cox Communications Red Team Coaching

Comcast Sales Lab Team

NBCU Compensation Team

Cox Pay Transparency Team

Cox Communications Curriculum Development & Creative Media Team

Comcast Accelerated Development Team 

Thank You, 2026 C2HR Sponsors!

Champion

Charter Communications.

Empower

Televisa Univision.

Engage

A+E Global Media.
Freemantle.
Midco.
Wow!
If your company operates in the technology, media and entertainment industry, we invite you to join our community of 4,800 HR professionals!