NYF Radio Awards Announces 2026 Grand Jury of World-Class Storytellers
The New York Festivals®Radio Awards has revealed the distinguished 2026 Radio Awards Grand Jury.
NYF’s Radio Awards Grand Jury unites over 100 standout audio innovators from 20 countries, reflecting the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of global storytelling. This influential group includes award-winning producers, directors, journalists, writers, and sound artists known for pushing creative boundaries across documentary, entertainment, news, sports, and corporate audio. Their collective experience ensures a thorough and inspired judging process that celebrates the best in worldwide audio storytelling.
“The robust world of audio storytelling today is fully represented in the 2026 edition of the Grand Jury,” said Rose Anderson, executive vice president, New York Festivals. “From audiobooks to podcasts and video podcasts, from investigative journalism to live events, and from mystery to social justice, this year’s men and women of the jury volunteer their time and lend their expertise.”
This year’s prominent jury panel brings together executives from some of the world’s most influential audio and media organisations from powerhouse international networks to acclaimed production studios and innovative digital publishers. This year’s distinguished companies include SiriusXM Radio, BBC Radio, Radio-Canada, DMC Studio Argentina, The Podglomerate, Ocean FM, Swedish Radio, Radio New Zealand, Penguin Random House UK, Aramco, Hot 102.7 FM. Radio Taiwan International, SBS, Almost Tangible, Aramco, The Times & Sunday Times, The Irish Sun, Mediacorp, Zinc Media, RADIO MITRE S.A., Radio City 91.1 FM, Naleppa Audio Productions, Athena Media, Tuned Media,Nine Network Australia,and Magnum Opus Broadcasting.
The 2026 Radio Awards Grand Jury includes:
Jill Achineku, Producer, Whistledown, United Kingdom
Steve Ahern, OAM, Publisher, Radioinfo & Radio Today, Australia
Chris Browning-Brant, Lead Podcast Editor, Formula 1, United Kingdom
Diego Cannizzaro, Owner & Director, DMC Studio, Argentina
John N. Catlett, Broadcast Consultant, Media Objectives International, USA
Jennie Cataldo, Owner & Producer, Accompany Studios, USA
Jax Coombes, Producer, BBC, United Kingdom
Stuart Davies, Content Manager, Virgin Radio UK, United Kingdom
Joni Deutsch, SVP of Marketing & Audience Development, The Podglomerate, USA
Rebecca Fortuin, Senior Audio Editor, HQ, M&B and Farshore, HarperCollins Publishers UK, United Kingdom
Dylan Haskins, Commissioning Executive for Podcasts, BBC Sounds & BBC Radio 5 Live, United Kingdom
Nora Holm, Producer, Swedish Radio, Sweden
Adrian Hollay, Senior Recording Engineer, Radio New Zealand, New Zealand
Iris Hsu, Radio Producer, Radio Taiwan International, Taiwan
Hyun Joon Jang, Programming & Production / Senior Producer, Busan English Broadcasting.South Korea
James Keyte, Head of Audio Content, Penguin Random House UK, United Kingdom
Geneviève Levasseur, Senior Director, ICI MUSIQUE, CBC/Radio-Canada, Canada
Steve Levine, Founder, Magnum Opus Broadcasting, United Kingdom
Or Matza, Creative Director & Founder, Audio Drama Studios, Israel
Lloyd Madurai, Programming & Managing Director, Hot 102.7 FM, South Africa
Siobhan McHugh, Podcast Producer & Academic, Australia
Charlotte Melén, Founder, Producer, Actor, Almost Tangible, United Kingdom
Eduardo Morino, Presenter, Radio Mitre S.A., Argentina
Greg Muller, Supervising Producer, The Case of Podcast, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australia
Götz Naleppa, Drama Director & Sound Artist, Naleppa Audio Productions, Germany
Anurita Patel, National Programming Head, Radio City, India
Will Roe, Executive Producer, Investigations - The Times and Sunday Times, United Kingdom
Des Shaw, Co-Founder/Producer, Zinc Media, United Kingdom
Helen Shaw, Founder, Athena Media, Ireland
Lou Simon, Vice President, Music Programming, SiriusXM Radio, USA
Ken Sweeney, Showbiz Editor, The Irish Sun, Ireland
Mark Travis, Managing Consultant, Media Production, New York Philharmonic, USA
Joan Webber, Senior Producer, Audio Documentary Unit, CBC, Canada
Carol Zimmer, Journalist & Host, “Now What?”, USA
View the 2026 Radio Awards Grand Jury.
With a global roster of seasoned audio professionals, the 2026 Radio Awards Grand Jury brings exceptional insight into the judging process. Entries are assessed across core benchmarks including production values, creative execution, content presentation, direction, writing, achievement of purpose, and audience relevance.
The New York Festivals Radio Awards provides a platform to celebrate creative storytellers from around the world. For 69 years, NYF has recognised both innovation and exceptional quality in broadcast audio content across all genres and platforms since 1957.
Since 2023, The National Press Club, the World’s Leading Professional Organization for Journalists™. has partnered with New York Festivals to honor the highest scoring news programme across the Coverage of Breaking News Story, Coverage of Ongoing News Story, Nonfiction Series, Investigative Journalism Podcast, and News Podcast categories. The winner will be announced during the 2026 Storytellers Gala on May 21st, 2026. View the 2025 Storytellers Gala.
NYF’s Radio Awards welcomes entries from radio stations, networks, and independent producers across 30+ countries. Its mission is to recognise and elevate the exceptional work of the creators shaping today’s global audio storytelling landscape.
Award-winning entries for 2026 competition will be showcased at the Radio Awards winners gallery. View the 2025 Radio winners’ showcase.
