Our History
Advancing podcasting through recognition, education, and community since 2020.
Founding & Purpose
Founded in 2020, The Podcast Academy (TPA) was established to advance the podcasting industry through recognition, education, and community. Created at a time when podcasting was rapidly expanding but lacked a centralized, professional body, TPA set out to become the definitive home for excellence in audio, bringing together creators, executives, and innovators across the ecosystem. Modeled in spirit after institutions like the Television Academy and Recording Academy, TPA introduced a new level of credibility, structure, and visibility to podcasting as both an art form and a business.
Since its founding, The Podcast Academy has continued to grow its membership, expand its programming, and deepen its impact by serving as a unifying force in a dynamic and increasingly influential industry.
A defining initiative of TPA was the launch of its flagship awards program, the Ambies (Awards for Excellence in Audio), which quickly became a benchmark for excellence in podcasting. The Ambies were designed not only to celebrate standout content and creators, but to elevate the perception of podcasting within the broader entertainment and media landscape, positioning it alongside film, television, and music as a culturally significant medium.
Founding Leadership
The organization was spearheaded by a founding group of industry leaders committed to building a long-term foundation for the medium. Hernan Lopez was part of the founding team alongside Christy Mirabal and Donald Albright. Early leadership also included Chairs Rob Greenlee, Christy Mirabal, and Donald Albright, who helped guide the organization’s initial direction and governance.
The original board reflected the breadth of the industry, from independent creators to network executives who helped shape early governance, standards, and membership frameworks. Together, they laid the groundwork for what would become a global professional community.
Current & Previous Board
The Podcast Academy is built on the leadership and vision of its Board of Governors, both past and present. Their ongoing commitment and industry expertise have been instrumental in shaping the organization and advancing its mission.
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Alia Tavakolian
Amy Choi
Anya Grundmann
Ben Cave
Christina Moore
Christy Mirabal
Conal Byrne
Courtney Holt
DeRay Mckessen
Donald Albright
Erik Diehn
Hernan Lopez
Jenna Weiss-Berman
Kerri Hoffman
Kintan Brahmbhatt
Lauren Spohrer
Liliana Maria Percy Ruíz
Oren Rosenbaum
Rekha Murthy
Rob Greenlee
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Ami Thakkar
Amy Choi
Arielle Nissenblat
Chirag Desai
Chris Cochran
Chris Colbert
Christina Moore
Christy Mirabal
DeRay Mckessen
Donald Albright
Hernan Lopez
Ilana Susnow
Jay Green
Jen Sargent
Kerri Hoffman
Lauren Spohrer
Martha Little
Matty Staudt
Rob Greenlee
Sierra Reed
Sirisha Kichimanchi
Steve Wilson
Valentina Kaledina
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Alejandro Vargas
Ami Thakkar
Arielle Nissenblatt
Brandon Schexnayder
Fallon Jethroe
Ilana Susnow
Jay Green
Sangeeta Pillai
Seth Rubinroit
Steve Lack
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Christy Mirabal
Donald Albright
E.B. Moss
Jen Sargent
Matty Staudt
Nikki Boyer
Pat Shah
Sirisha Kuchimanchi
Ti King
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Alejandro Vargas
Arielle Nissenblatt
Brandon Schexnayder
Eric Barnett
Fallon Jethroe
Ilana Susnow
Kacie Luaders
Norma Jean Belenky
Executive Leadership
Central to TPA’s early growth and identity was its founding Executive Director, Michele Cobb. Cobb played a pivotal role in operationalizing the organization, overseeing the launch of the Ambies, building membership infrastructure, establishing governance practices, and shaping TPA’s voice within the industry.
In January 2026, Ami Thakkar stepped into the role of Executive Director of The Podcast Academy, leading the organization into its next chapter of growth and global impact.
Ami Thakkar is the Executive Director of The Podcast Academy, where she leads the organization’s mission to support podcast creators, celebrate excellence in audio, and help shape the future of the medium. With a career spanning law, editorial media, nonprofit leadership, and global storytelling, Ami brings a rare blend of strategic rigor and creative empathy to the role. She is also an independent podcaster herself and the creator and host of Tuckered Out with Ami Thakkar, a show centered on honest conversations about ambition, burnout, and identity with trailblazers from all backgrounds. Having lived and worked across the U.S., India, and the Middle East, Ami approaches leadership with a global perspective and a deep respect for the craft of audio storytelling. As Executive Director, she is focused on strengthening The Podcast Academy as a trusted, inclusive home for creators and elevating podcasting’s cultural impact worldwide.
