Donna Langley, Tech CEO Tracy Chou to Receive Honors at Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards (EXCLUSIVE)
NBCUniversal Entertainment chair Donna Langley and tech activist and founder Tracy Chou are among the special honorees at this year’s Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards.
As one of the most powerful and respected executives in the global entertainment industry, Langley will receive the Trailblazer Award for her continued commitment to amplifying a diverse array of stories and storytellers. Langley, who was made a Dame by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2020, has supported Vital Voices’ mission as a mentor and by serving on the board of directors.
Chou, founder and CEO of Block Party, will be one of two recipients of the inaugural Susan Wojcicki Tech for Impact Award. The new award honors the life and legacy of Wojcicki — former CEO of YouTube, Vital Voices mentor and champion for women in technology — and is intended to recognize women who are “harnessing technology to address the world’s most pressing challenges through bold innovation and transformative policy solutions.” Chou will be recognized for her work advancing accountability and transparency in the tech industry and building safer digital platforms.
Women’s rights activist and campaigner Seyi Akiwowo will receive the second Susan Wojcicki award. Akiwowo is the founder and director of Glitch, a non-profit organization campaigning to end online abuse, and will be honored for her work advocating for inclusive, rights-based digital policy.
The ceremony will take place on April 23 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), hosted by marketing executive and entrepreneur Bozoma Saint John. Vital Voices co-founder and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will also make a special appearance at the awards. The Global Leadership Awards is Vital Voices’ annual fundraising event, supporting the nonprofit’s mission to “identify, invest in and amplify women leaders tackling the world’s greatest challenges.”
“For more than 28 years, Vital Voices has invested in women leaders who are shaping a more equitable and prosperous world,” said Alyse Nelson, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, who is a co-host of the event. “This year’s honorees embody bold leadership — challenging systems, expanding opportunity, and creating lasting change.”
Rounding out this year’s class of honorees are Susie Wolff, Shirin Musa and Farwiza Farhan. Wolff, former racing driver and current managing director of F1 Academy, will receive the Icon Award for her groundbreaking career in motorsport and her leadership in expanding opportunities for women in racing.
Musa and Farhan will also be honored with Global Leadership Awards. Musa, founder of the grassroots organization Femmes for Freedom, will be recognized for her advocacy to end forced and honor-based violence. Last year, Musa was elected to the Senate of the Netherlands, where she continues to advocate for reforms that safeguard the dignity of all women and girls. Leading forest conservationist Farhan will be honored for her environmental leadership protecting Indonesia’s Leuser Ecosystem and advancing community-led conservation in the country.
“At a time when the world feels increasingly complex and divided, the leadership of women like this year’s honorees reminds us what is possible,” Nelson added. “From boardrooms to racetracks, from technology platforms to grassroots movements and fragile ecosystems, they are reshaping systems and expanding opportunity for others. We are proud to celebrate not only their achievements, but the ripple effects of their leadership across generations.”
Co-hosts for the event are Rachelle Hruska MacPherson, Selina Tobaccowala, Sali Christeson, Stéphane de La Faverie, Deborah Rutter, Diane von Furstenberg, Elizabeth and Bruce Buchanan, Fabiola Beracasa Beckman, Huma Abedin, Jennifer Tuft, Karlie Kloss, Kristina O’Neill, Laura Brown, Marc Pritchard, Lili Buffet and Sarah Harden.
As one of the most powerful and respected executives in the global entertainment industry, Langley will receive the Trailblazer Award for her continued commitment to amplifying a diverse array of stories and storytellers. Langley, who was made a Dame by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2020, has supported Vital Voices’ mission as a mentor and by serving on the board of directors.
Chou, founder and CEO of Block Party, will be one of two recipients of the inaugural Susan Wojcicki Tech for Impact Award. The new award honors the life and legacy of Wojcicki — former CEO of YouTube, Vital Voices mentor and champion for women in technology — and is intended to recognize women who are “harnessing technology to address the world’s most pressing challenges through bold innovation and transformative policy solutions.” Chou will be recognized for her work advancing accountability and transparency in the tech industry and building safer digital platforms.
Women’s rights activist and campaigner Seyi Akiwowo will receive the second Susan Wojcicki award. Akiwowo is the founder and director of Glitch, a non-profit organization campaigning to end online abuse, and will be honored for her work advocating for inclusive, rights-based digital policy.
The ceremony will take place on April 23 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), hosted by marketing executive and entrepreneur Bozoma Saint John. Vital Voices co-founder and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will also make a special appearance at the awards. The Global Leadership Awards is Vital Voices’ annual fundraising event, supporting the nonprofit’s mission to “identify, invest in and amplify women leaders tackling the world’s greatest challenges.”
“For more than 28 years, Vital Voices has invested in women leaders who are shaping a more equitable and prosperous world,” said Alyse Nelson, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, who is a co-host of the event. “This year’s honorees embody bold leadership — challenging systems, expanding opportunity, and creating lasting change.”
Rounding out this year’s class of honorees are Susie Wolff, Shirin Musa and Farwiza Farhan. Wolff, former racing driver and current managing director of F1 Academy, will receive the Icon Award for her groundbreaking career in motorsport and her leadership in expanding opportunities for women in racing.
Musa and Farhan will also be honored with Global Leadership Awards. Musa, founder of the grassroots organization Femmes for Freedom, will be recognized for her advocacy to end forced and honor-based violence. Last year, Musa was elected to the Senate of the Netherlands, where she continues to advocate for reforms that safeguard the dignity of all women and girls. Leading forest conservationist Farhan will be honored for her environmental leadership protecting Indonesia’s Leuser Ecosystem and advancing community-led conservation in the country.
“At a time when the world feels increasingly complex and divided, the leadership of women like this year’s honorees reminds us what is possible,” Nelson added. “From boardrooms to racetracks, from technology platforms to grassroots movements and fragile ecosystems, they are reshaping systems and expanding opportunity for others. We are proud to celebrate not only their achievements, but the ripple effects of their leadership across generations.”
Co-hosts for the event are Rachelle Hruska MacPherson, Selina Tobaccowala, Sali Christeson, Stéphane de La Faverie, Deborah Rutter, Diane von Furstenberg, Elizabeth and Bruce Buchanan, Fabiola Beracasa Beckman, Huma Abedin, Jennifer Tuft, Karlie Kloss, Kristina O’Neill, Laura Brown, Marc Pritchard, Lili Buffet and Sarah Harden.