G.E.M.S. Honors 2026
We celebrated the communicators, leaders, storytellers, advocates, and changemakers whose impact extended beyond a title.
This year’s G.E.M.S. were shaped by purpose, sharpened by experience, and distinguished by impact. We honored leaders whose excellence and impact set a higher standard.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | New York City
Special thanks to Hachette Book Group, our 2026 G.E.M.S. Honors venue sponsor and host. We are grateful for their generous partnership and hospitality as we gather in New York City to celebrate the extraordinary leaders, visionaries and changemakers who are truly A Cut Above.
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Click to celebrate a 2026 Honoree with a donation and a public shoutout in their honor.
Meet our 2026 G.E.M.S. Honors emcee, Tiffany D. Cross!
A celebrated journalist, author and cultural commentator, Tiffany is known for bringing bold insight, authenticity and an unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices shaping our world.
We are thrilled to welcome Tiffany as she guides us through an unforgettable evening honoring the leaders, visionaries and changemakers who are truly A Cut Above.
Join us September 16 in New York City for the 2026 G.E.M.S. Honors, presented by MSL and hosted by Hachette Book Group.
Meet the 2026 Diversity Action Alliance G.E.M.S. Honorees
The 2026 G.E.M.S. Honorees represent an extraordinary cross-section of organizations shaping communications, culture and community. This year’s class includes leaders from SoundCloud, Walmart, Nielsen, McCann, MSL, Edelman, Burson, Zeno Group, Highwire PR, AARP, the NAACP, Foot Locker, Pepperdine University and the PR Girl Manifesto, among others.
Together, these global corporations, agencies, academic institutions, nonprofits and entrepreneurial ventures reflect the breadth and collective power of our profession. Through their leadership, the honorees are strengthening organizations, transforming how stories are told, expanding opportunity and creating a more representative future for communications.
Meet the 2026 Industry Legends
The 2026 G.E.M.S. Industry Legends represent decades of visionary leadership and enduring influence across the communications profession. Their distinguished careers span organizations including Walmart, AARP, the Association of National Advertisers, FINN Partners and HM Communications.
Collectively, Thomas “Tony” Waller, Edna Kane-Williams, Carlos Santiago, Helen Shelton and Etienne Hernandez-Medina have shaped organizations, elevated culturally relevant storytelling, opened doors for generations of professionals and helped move the industry toward greater representation and accountability.
Their legacies are measured not only by what they have achieved, but by the people, institutions and possibilities they have transformed along the way.
A Night Worth Revisiting
Relive the connections, celebration, and joy of the 2026 G.E.M.S. Honors: A Cut Above. Browse the unedited event photos and find your favorite moments from a night dedicated to leaders making a lasting impact.
The People Behind the Celebration
Explore the 2026 G.E.M.S. Honors magazine as we celebrate our honorees and recognize the sponsors, partners, and community whose generosity and commitment made A Cut Above possible.
A Cut Above
Photo Credit: E. Lee White
