Jessica Ward is the Manager of Academy Operations at The National Academy of Television
Arts & Sciences (NATAS), where she helps bring the Emmy® Awards to life behind the scenes.
She leads and supports the workflows that power multiple competitions while also contributing
to digital production and red carpet experiences. From coordinating complex systems to
supporting high-visibility moments, Jessica’s superpower is at the intersection of organization
and storytelling to help keep both the live and digital sides of NATAS programming running
smoothly.
Since joining NATAS, Jessica has grown into a leadership role and helped build the Academy
Operations team from the ground up. She supports the News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime
and Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards, with a focus on streamlining processes, maintaining
data accuracy and improving collaboration across teams. She also partners with The
Foundation on the National Student Production Awards, marketing initiatives and archival
projects, helping preserve the history of Emmy® content while supporting its continued growth.
Before NATAS, Jessica built her career in live entertainment and theater, with two decades of
experience spanning dozens of Broadway productions, the Emmy-nominated docu-series
“Working in the Theatre,” the Tony Awards®, the Obie Awards® and regional theater. She got
her start at Parkway Playhouse, where she was one of the youngest General Managers in the
organization’s 65+ year history, bringing the solely paper box office into the internet age. She
brings a strong mix of creative production, digital strategy and operational expertise to any role.
Jessica holds a Master of Science in Media Management from The New School and was in the
inaugural class of Western Carolina University’s B.A. in Stage and Screen. Outside of work, she
enjoys summers in Scotland, being on the open water, live events of all kinds and spending time
with her two amazing nieces.
