Celebrating the 2026 Emma Award Winners
Each year during Emma Week, the Emma Awards recognize Fellows who exemplify innovation, volunteerism, and the spirit of the Emma Bowen Foundation. These awards celebrate students who are making a meaningful impact on their campuses, in their communities and throughout the industry. We are proud to congratulate our 2026 Emma Award Winners:
💡 Emma for Innovation
Nadia Bidarian
As a journalism student passionate about the future of local news, Nadia Bidarian developed an AI-powered tool that helps editors identify style guide violations, allowing journalists to spend less time on formatting and more time telling impactful stories. Her innovative approach demonstrates how technology can enhance, rather than replace, human storytelling.
A member of the EBF Class of 2026, Nadia graduated with a major in Journalism and Cognitive Science and a minor in Artificial Intelligence from Northwestern University. During her time as a Warner Bros. Discovery Ad Sales Intern and Intern Ambassador, she gained valuable industry experience before joining Warner Bros. Discovery full time as a Client Solutions Coordinator.
🤝 Emma for Volunteerism
Kiyoon (Bona) Suh
Kiyoon (Bona) Suh was recognized for creating opportunities that empower others through Break to Make, a beginner-friendly hardware makeathon designed to help women and nonbinary students in STEM build confidence, develop technical skills, and turn ideas into reality. Her leadership reflects a commitment to making technology and entrepreneurship more accessible for everyone.
A member of the EBF Class of 2027, Bona is pursuing a degree in Computer Science and Game Design from the University of Southern California. During her internship as a Game Production Coordinator Intern, she gained hands-on industry experience while continuing to champion initiatives that inspire and empower the next generation of innovators.
⭐ Emma Rising Star
Maya Oppong
Inspired by Emma Bowen's legacy of using media to create change, Maya Oppong is an emerging television producer and writer dedicated to telling stories that center underrepresented voices. Through her creative work, research, and leadership, she is already making an impact in the industry while pursuing her goal of shaping the future of television.
A member of the EBF Class of 2026, Maya earned her BFA in Film and Television from NYU. Throughout her EBF journey, she gained hands-on experience as an HGTV Production & Development Intern at Warner Bros. Discovery and and was recently hired at NBCUniversal as a Bravo Multiplatform Planning Page. Her experiences have helped shape her passion for creating meaningful, impactful stories across the television industry.
Congratulations again to Nadia, Bona, and Maya!
