Rise Launches Rise AV

Rise, the award-winning advocacy group for gender diversity in the media technology sector, has announced the launch of Rise AV.

Rise AV will build on the success of Rise Women in Broadcast (WIB), which was established in 2017 in the broadcast and media industry. With over 3,000 members worldwide, Rise has supported many women, advocates and companies in technical, engineering, operations, marketing, sales and executive roles through its programmes.

The mission of Rise AV is to create an inclusive AV industry where gender diversity thrives, inspiring innovation, equity, and opportunity for all. It will focus on attracting and retaining talent, education and awareness, mentorship and partnerships. In May 2025, Rise AV will introduce its first initiative in the UK - Rise AV Mentoring - a six-month dedicated programme Global supporting women's career and personal development. This will be led by Rise’s award-winning Mentoring Manager, Carla Maroussas.

Rise AV was founded by Rise's Founder and CEO, Sadie Groom and Rachael Hamilton, who will become Managing Director. Rachael has 18 years of experience in the AV sector, having previously been Brand Director of AV Magazine. Rachael then founded IAR, the AV industry’s first business and marketing consultancy.

Supporting Rise AV will be a UK Advisory Board made up of industry leaders for their knowledge, expertise and passion for change. The Rise WIB Non-Executive Board will also support the business.

The Rise AV Advisory Board includes:
Jamie Brothwell, Managing Director, Exertis Business
Daniel Lee, Managing Director, Hewshott UK
Jane Hammersley, Queen of Collaboration, Blue Touch Paper
Jenny Hicks, Head of Market Intelligence, Midwich
Sanjit Hurst, Director of Global Procurement, Diversified
Owen Ellis, CEO, AV User Group
Stephen Patterson, Sales Director, Europe + Africa, Biamp
Denise Hughes, Founder/Managing Director, WoopJobs
Anthony Olivier, Director of Business Development, AVI-SPL UK and Ireland
Katy Thorpe, Global People Director, Kinly

Sadie Groom, Founder and CEO, commented: "It is a great time to launch Rise AV and bring all that we have learnt and given to the media technology sector. The global community that we have built and nurtured is much needed in the AV sector, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves and how many careers and lives we can change."

Future initiatives that Rise AV will introduce include:
C-Suite Programme: A dedicated programme for women in senior leadership roles.
Rise AV Academy: Inspire and educate school students (ages 11–18) with AV engineering workshops.
Rise AV Awards: Recognise and celebrate women's outstanding achievements and contributions in the AV sector.
Global Chapter Development: Establish and expand international chapters of the mentoring programme to foster a worldwide community of support and professional development.

rise-av.com