Fox News Media Recognizes Top Employees at Annual Spotlight Awards
Suzanne Scott and Jay Wallace honored recipients for outstanding contributions across various categories, including 'Unsung Hero' and 'Rising Star'.
Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and President & Executive Editor Jay Wallace hosted the 2025 Spotlight Awards, an annual ceremony recognizing employees for their exceptional work. The event, held at Avra in midtown Manhattan, celebrated individuals across the organization who have demonstrated excellence and dedication.
Anchor Bill Hemmer emceed the luncheon, marking a period of significant growth for Fox News Channel, which is approaching its 30th anniversary. Scott reflected on the network's beginnings, noting the evolution from a startup focused on operational challenges to a dominant force in cable news that now consistently competes with broadcast networks.
"In a couple of weeks, Fox News Channel will mark 30 years," Scott stated. "When we started, we didn’t have a system for recognizing extraordinary people, and there were many."
The Spotlight Awards, established in 2020, aim to acknowledge staffers who consistently contribute to the company's success. Hundreds of nominations are received annually from employees eager to celebrate their colleagues.
Award Recipients
Unsung Hero Award
This award recognizes employees whose vital contributions often go unnoticed. Honorees included:
- Pat Butler, Director of broadcast contribution, lauded for his foundational work since 1995, including his role in broadcasting during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
- Tania Joseph, FOX Nation producer, recognized for her consistent high-quality work, including launching and managing "The Sean Hannity Show" podcast.
- Tiger Stanley, Field Engineering and Scenic Design Specialist, celebrated for his ability to overcome challenging technical and design tasks.
Rising Star Award
This award highlights employees early in their careers who have shown exemplary work ethic and growth. Recipients included:
- Matthew Donnell, Assignment editor, who has transitioned to a Political Embed role covering campaigns.
- Jessica Sonkin, Associate producer, also appointed as a political embed due to her strong work ethic.
- Carey Gallagher, ‘FOX & Friends’ associate producer, praised for her dedication, research, and segment production.
- Sabrina Baker, FOX Nation associate producer, recognized for her creativity and reliability in managing multiple shows.
Community Service Award
This award honors employees actively involved in their local communities and company volunteer efforts. Winners were:
- Matt Rodriguez, ‘FOX and Friends First’ stage manager, for his extensive volunteer work with Cub Scouts.
- Lillian Lecroy, Washington D.C. assignment manager, for her mentorship of veterans through American Corporate Partners.
Innovator of the Year
Rich Cozzi, Lead technical director, was recognized for driving automation and innovation across FOX News Media.
The Impact Award
Brianne Bombara and Veronica Baker, members of the campus recruitment team, received this award for establishing a leading recruiting program that attracts top talent through internships and campus outreach.