‘The Walking Dead’ Star Danai Gurira To Speak At WICT Luncheon

Actress/playwright Danai Gurira will serve as the keynote speaker for the Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT)’s Sept. 19 Touchstones Luncheon, the organization said Wednesday.

“All of us at WICT are delighted to welcome Danai Gurira to the big stage as we showcase WICT's Woman of the Year and Women to Watch. Danai is an integral cast member of AMC's The Walking Dead -- among the most popular cable TV shows ever created,” said WICT Board Chair Martha Soehren, senior vice president and Chief Talent Development Officer, Comcast. “She is also a highly decorated actress and playwright, garnering six Tony nominations and six Ovation Awards. She brings a unique perspective to our audience through her highly acclaimed work,"

WICT also announced that AMC Networks executive vice president and chief communications officer Ellen Kroner will serve as the luncheon’s 2016 Honorary Chair. The luncheon, held during cable’s Diversity Week, will honor Scripps Networks Interactive chief programming, content and brand officer Kathleen Finch as its woman of the year.

"We are also delighted to welcome my WICT Board colleague Ellen Kroner to serve as this year's Honorary Chair,” Soehren said. “Aside from Ellen's significant business accomplishments, she is a staunch WICT supporter and a true champion of diversity and inclusion."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.