The American Advertising Federation (AAF) has announced the eight members of its 2026 Advertising Hall of Achievement class, recognizing professionals age 40 and younger who are already helping shape the future of advertising, marketing, media and brand leadership.
The honorees were selected through a two-round judging process led by a council of Hall of Achievement alumni and senior executives from agencies, brands, media companies and technology platforms.
The 2026 class will be formally inducted during the Advertising Hall of Achievement ceremonies on November 19 at Pier Sixty in New York City.
“For more than 30 years, the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement has recognized the rising leaders who are shaping the future of our industry,” said Steve Pacheco, president and CEO of the AAF. “This year’s inductees represent the very best of advertising—visionary professionals whose talent, creativity and leadership give us every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.”
The 2026 inductees are:
Andrew Almendras, IMAX
Andrew Almendras serves as vice president of marketing strategy and planning at IMAX, where he is celebrating his 10th year with the company.
His work has contributed to IMAX’s continued growth, including a record-breaking $1.2 billion global box office year. Almendras also developed and launched the company’s first partnership with Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters and co-led its DEI task force.
Outside IMAX, he serves as a mentor through Adweek and Gold House.
Almendras will also receive the 2026 Jack Averett Volunteer Spirit Award in recognition of his service to the industry.
Catherine Berger, Grupo Bimbo
Catherine Berger is vice president of marketing transformation and services at Grupo Bimbo, where she is leading the reinvention of the company’s $10 billion U.S. portfolio.
Before joining Grupo Bimbo, Berger helped transform Ferrara into a global sugar confection category leader and oversaw the company’s first Super Bowl commercial.
Her leadership also includes work as an LGBTQ+ advocate, culture champion and community builder.
Justin Breton, Walmart
As head of digital and emerging experiences at Walmart, Justin Breton has helped the retailer expand into immersive platforms, livestream commerce and other emerging channels.
Over the past six years, he has focused on connecting Walmart with digitally native audiences and turning new technologies into scalable business opportunities.
His work is rooted in trust, community and building opportunities for the next generation of marketing talent.
Jen Hourigan, Initiative
Jen Hourigan serves as president of T-Mobile and client leadership at Initiative and is also a member of the agency’s executive leadership team.
Under her stewardship, T-Mobile’s client relationship scores have increased, team satisfaction has improved and the brand has delivered 16 consecutive quarters of industry-leading growth.
Hourigan also co-created the Empowered People Act, which has been adopted across more than 40 Initiative accounts. Her community work includes fundraising and mentorship through Girls Inc. of New York City.
Jessica Padula, Nespresso USA
Jessica Padula is vice president of marketing and sustainability at Nespresso USA, where she works to connect brand growth with purpose.
Her leadership includes the Nespresso Vertuo World launch, the company’s B Corp certification and partnerships that have raised millions for organizations including Project Healthy Minds and The Ali Forney Center.
Padula also supports emerging talent through board service, mentoring and her own content platform.
Keri D. Richardson, CrowdAxis
Keri D. Richardson is co-founder and managing partner of CrowdAxis, a company she launched in 2024 to help build measurement infrastructure for the $128 billion experiential marketing industry.
She has worked with more than 200 brands and developed a career centered on the relationship between data, culture, trust and live experiences.
Beyond advertising, Richardson is a licensed private pilot, aviation mentor, graduate advisor at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies and executive consultant with Community Consulting Teams of Atlanta.
Brittany Slattery, OpenAP
Brittany Slattery serves as chief marketing officer of OpenAP and vice president of the U.S. Joint Industry Committee.
Her work focuses on creating a more standardized and transparent foundation for audience-based video advertising across television.
During her tenure, OpenAP has helped grow the audience-based marketplace to more than $1.3 billion.
Slattery is also known for bringing together organizations with competing interests, translating complex industry issues into clear solutions and mentoring future leaders.
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Caitlin Coburn Winsor, PepsiCo
Caitlin Coburn Winsor is senior director of media strategy and investment at PepsiCo and leads media for PepsiCo Beverages U.S.
She has built her career at the intersection of media, entertainment, technology and consumer behavior, with an emphasis on helping brands participate in culture rather than interrupt it.
Winsor’s approach treats media as both a commercial driver and a creative force capable of shaping ideas, experiences and brand growth.
Recognizing the Next Generation
Chrissie Hanson, North America media practice CEO at dentsu and chair of the 2026 Hall of Achievement Council of Judges, noted the new class reflects both professional innovation and community leadership.
“The AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement recognizes rising leaders who are making a meaningful impact across our industry and beyond,” Hanson said.
She added, “It is both inspiring and reassuring to see the next generation of leaders not only driving innovation in their professions, but also giving back to their communities with purpose and compassion.”
Hanson chaired the judging process alongside vice chair Matt Derella, vice president of LinkedIn Marketing Solutions and a 2017 Hall of Achievement inductee.
The 2026 honorees join a group of more than 200 previous inductees recognized by the AAF since the program began.
Corporate sponsors for this year’s event include Albertsons Media, Amazon Ads, AMC Networks, dentsu, Disney Advertising, Known, LinkedIn, Omnicom Media, Paramount, TelevisaUnivision, TikTok and 3C Ventures.
At The Moment Media will serve as the official media partner for the 2026 Advertising Hall of Achievement.
Congratulations to all of the inductees.
