Honors Night 2026
AEF’s annual Honors Night fundraising gala recognizes the organizations and individuals for their accomplishments in the industry and for their support of the AEF’s mission of educating and inspiring young talent.
Dinner proceeds help fulfill AEF’s educational initiatives for professors and students and contribute to building the next generation of talent.
The gala event will take place Tuesday October 6th at The Plaza in NYC
6:15pm – Cocktails
7:30pm – Dinner and Presentations
2026 Honorees
Marketer Award
Walmart
Accepted by: William White
Chief Marketing Officer
Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Kassan
Founder & CEO
3C Ventures
Inspire Award
Gail Horwood
Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer, Innovative Medicines US
Novartis
Media Award
NBCUniversal
Accepted by: Mark Marshall
Chairman, Global Advertising and Partnerships
Agency Award
Omnicom
Accepted by: Daryl Simm
President and Chief Operating Officer
Visionary Award
Bob Liodice
Chief Executive Officer
Association of National Advertisers
Presenters
Marketer Award
Carla Hassan
Chief Marketing Officer
JPMorganChase
Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Koenigsberg
Founder & CEO
Horizon Media
Inspire Award
Rishad Tobaccowala
Author
Rethinking Work
Ambassadors
Give the Gift of ANA Membership Program
Lori Goode
Chief Marketing Officer
Index Exchange
Dr. Myles Bassell
Associate Dean
Brooklyn College
Visiting Professor Program and Advertising & Society Quarterly (ASQ)
Dr. Minita Sanghvi
Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Management and Business Department
Skidmore College
Dr. Ed Timke
Assistant professor in the Department of Advertising + Public Relations
Co-Editor, ASQ
Michigan State University
MADE
Philemon Emmanuel
Marketing and Communications Director
American Heart Association
