From the Chair: Emmy Milestones Worth Celebrating, Progress Worth Protecting

I spent this years Emmys telecast doing something I’ve never done since becoming chair. Rather than being part of the show by delivering an onstage address, I stayed in my seat in the audience the whole time. It was a palpable reminder that after months of prep and weeks of reviewing every bit and sitting in rehearsals, all that labor culminates in one night in which we leave nothing on the table and everything is turned over to the viewers.

And there was a lot worth celebrating: Jean Smart and Allison Janney joining the Eight Emmys Club for performers with the most career statuettes; Matthew Rhys making history on his own as the first person to win two lead actor Emmys in one ceremony — and now the only one to have an Emmy for lead performer in a drama, comedy and limited series; and, proving that excellence has no expiration date, Sally Field and Stephen Root setting records as the most veteran winners in their respective categories.

As pleased as I was to see these new milestones achieved when it comes to age diversity, this year was an unfortunate reminder that progress in the industry’s inclusion of talent from all races, ethnicities and cultures cannot be taken for granted. It is something we must fight for, plan for and protect. This remains an ongoing priority for me and for our Academy.

And so, as we prepare to close the curtain on our awards season with the Engineering, Science & Technology Emmys ceremony on October 14, we are already pushing toward the future.

We all know how much television has changed. Ours is an increasingly global industry, with producers and consumers hailing from all over the world. How, what and when we watch has changed. And all our deliberations, decisions and announcements to come will reflect those changes. Every move we make will be guided by our mission to better represent, reflect and serve the evolving nature of our business.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to steward this purpose for the past three years. And as I approach the second year of my second term, I’m increasingly focused not only on what can be accomplished in the year ahead but on ensuring that the progress we’ve made is built to last. No chair should believe the work starts or ends with them. The job is to ensure that the changes made set the organization on a stronger path forward, so that our progress can be carried on by new leadership. That is my commitment to this institution, to our membership and to our industry.

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This chair letter originally appeared in emmy magazine, issue #12, 2026.