Essay On Animal Abuse. Animal Abuse - Argumentative essay by Researcher TpT
CED September 2015
1. THE EMMAs
NAMIC’s Bright Marketing Winners
p44
THE LEADERS
Shining Examples
p6
THE INFLUENTIALS
Lighting Up the Room
p30
THE TECHIES
Sparking New Ideas
p41
The Most Influential Minorities in Cable
DIVERSITY
September 2015
cablefaxmag.com
3. cablefaxmag.com 3Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015
On the cover:
IT’S NOT ALL WORK WITH
NO PLAY...
Check out the snapshots
above for a look at what our
Most Influential Minorities
are doing when they are
outside the office. Go to
cablefax.com in the coming
weeks for expanded profiles
that celebrate the diversity
of this industry.
IN THIS ISSUE
4 Editor’s Note
The more you know, the better you are.
6 The Leaders
Our annual look at cable’s top 100 minority leaders.
30 The Influentials
These executives are leaving their marks on the industry.
41 Top Tech
Techie minority execs leading cable’s innovation.
44 The EMMAs
A look at multicultural marketing that took the prize.
THE EMMAs
NAMIC’s Bright Marketing Winners
p44
THE LEADERS
Shining Examples
p6
THE INFLUENTIALS
Lighting Up the Room
p30
THE TECHIES
Sparking New Ideas
p41
The Most Influential Minorities in Cable
DIVERSITY
September 2015
cablefaxmag.com
Bright ideas come
from everywhere.
We believe the
more diverse
voices we have
contributing, the
more illuminating
the outcome.
5. Diversity is Who We Are…
David Rone
President, Networks & Sports
Dinni Jain
Chief Operating
O�icer
Jennifer Chun
SVP, Content
Acquisition
Michelle Kim
SVP, Chief Counsel
Programming
Steve Paulus
SVP, News & Local
Programming
Alan Lui
SVP, HR
Satyanarayana Parimi
GVP, Product
Management
Charlon McIntosh
GVP, Business Services
Gregg Fujimoto
President, Oceanic
Paul Robinson
GVP, Business Services
Indrajit
Ponnambalam
GVP, Finance
Sean Coar
GVP, Media Services
Magesh Srinivasan
GVP, Commercial
Engineering & Ops
Darrel Hegar
RVP, Operations
Charlene Keys
AVP, Operations
Ellen East
Executive Vice President &
Chief Communications O�icer
2015 WICT Woman of the Year
Rachel Welch
Group Vice President
Government Relations
2015 WICT Woman to Watch
6. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine6
THE LEADERS
1. Dinni Jain
Chief Operating Officer, Time Warner Cable
Jain has made it his mission to focus on customers—residential, busi-
ness, or media—at all times, and says he’s proud to be part of the TWC
team that’s done the impossible. “Not only has the team stuck together
through not just one but two merger processes, but the company has im-
proved tremendously and put in some of the best operational performanc-
es in the company’s history. It is rare to work with a team as dedicated
and focused as this one and it has been a real honor and a privilege for
me.” Jain’s customer-centric attitude and on-going determination to find
new, proactive approaches to improve TWC’s already notable customer
service are really paying off.
2. Debra Lee
Chairman & CEO, BET Networks
Under Lee’s vision and leadership, BET continues to be not only the # 1
network among African Americans, but it also ranks as a top 20 network
among total audiences. The Hollywood adage about what she “really
wants to do is direct” may not be applicable to Lee, but she certainly
wants to bring more diversity to the roster of TV directors. “We had three
series with 100% minority or female directors: ‘Being Mary Jane,’ ‘The
Game,’ and ‘Single Ladies,’” says Lee. “Our programming team is commit-
ted to telling our stories in an authentic way by making diversity a priority
in every aspect of our production process.”
3. Cesar Conde
EVP, NBCUniversal
Conde is celebrating his second anniversary at NBCUniversal, having joined the
company in the fall of 2013 after serving for four years as president of Univision.
In his current role as EVP, he oversees NBCUniversal International and NBCUni-
versal Digital Enterprises. In addition, Conde serves on the Executive Committee
and reports to NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke. He sits on the Boards for the
Foundation for Excellence in Education and the White House Initiative on Educa-
tional Excellence for Hispanics.The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute
has also honored Conde with the “Corporate Leader Award.”
7. THE LEADERS
Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015 cablefaxmag.com 7
4. Rita Tuzon
EVP & General Counsel, Fox Networks Group
Building on successful legal challenges against DISH Hopper and Aereo,
Tuzon turned her attention to preventing the streaming television company
FilmOn X from infringing on Fox’s copyrighted content. She did all that while
overseeing legal and business aspects surrounding the launch of Fox Sports
1 and FXX and handling legal affairs for Fox International Channels. Asked
how she defines diversity, Tuzon says, “I look forward to the day when we
are not defining diversity but instead simply living it; the day when there are
not separate lists for women and ‘diverse’ executives but one list, represen-
tative of all constituencies, no asterisks.”
5. Henry Ahn
EVP, Content Distribution and Marketing, Scripps Networks Interactive
Over the past year, Ahn and his team secured significant distribution deals
expanding the company’s television and digital audiences. He’s spearheaded
progress on TV Everywhere partnerships, leading the industry with virtually
100 percent availability of Scripps Networks’ content. A 25-year vet of the
television and entertainment industry, Ahn is intent upon reaching millen-
nials who may not see the traditional cable or satellite bundle as a first en-
tertainment choice, while ensuring linear customers have access to Scripps
Networks’ world-class content, regardless of provider.
6. Luis Silberwasser
President, Telemundo
It’s been a very rewarding year for Silberwasser as it was Telemundo’s
best-year ever with strong ratings and share growth in key day parts,
particularly in Monday-Friday primetime. Named president of the network
only about a year ago, he has worked closely with NBCUniversal’s Hispanic
Enterprises and Content senior team and Telemundo’s leadership to develop
entertainment, sports and news growth strategy with a focus on increased
market share and profitability. Over the course of his career, the Discov-
ery vet has acquired a deep understanding of the U.S. Hispanic and Latin
American markets. No wonder he considers “Don’t improvise… know what
you are talking about” the best business advice he has received.
8. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine8
THE LEADERS
7. Oprah Winfrey
Chairman & CEO, OWN and Harpo Studios
Now that OWN has built a solid viewership base, it’s branching out. In August,
Winfrey and her team launched an online retail destination for OWN, the O Store,
which sells everything from jewelry to online courses. In October, the network will
debut “Belief,” a 7-hour original series commissioned by Winfrey three years ago.
Filmmakers around the world explore faith in the documentary, which will air across
seven nights. OWN isn’t just a vanity project. As CEO, Winfrey has a personal stake in
all the programming on the network. She seems to know what viewers want. In first
quarter 2015, OWN achieved its highest quarterly prime rank ever.
8. Steve White
West Division President, Comcast
This year, under White’s leadership, the West Division of Comcast Cable
launched a new internal employee brand: I Am Comcast. The thrust of the new
brand is the newly created West Division Pledge, inspired by White’s leadership,
which defines six Focus Areas that form the foundation of its culture, including
development, career, empowerment, recognition, communication and com-
munity. “You can control two things,” he says. “Effort and attitude.” Through
the Denver Scholarship Foundation, White supports efforts to provide scholar-
ships to minority high school students in the Denver area. He also serves as an
adviser for WICT Northern California.
9. Alfred C. Liggins, III
Chairman & CEO, TV One
Liggins’ Radio One business successfully bought out Comcast and is now the
complete and sole owner of TV One, making it the only minority-controlled television
network. Late last year, Liggins appointed a new TV One president, Brad Siegel, and
together their efforts have yielded the highest rated Q1 and Q2 in primetime and
total day, a first-ever production partnership with PBS, and an increase of 31% in key
primetime demos. Liggins serves on the board of directors for organizations including
The Apollo Theater and The Boys and Girls Club of America. “Invest early and often in
emerging talent from the broadest resource pool possible,” he says.
10. Michael Powell
President & CEO, NCTA
2014 was a landmark year for NCTA as it rebranded the Cable Show to INTX, the
Internet and Television Expo, to better reflect changes in the industry. Powell isn’t a
stranger to tremendous change and marketplace growth. During his tenure as chair-
man of the FCC, he worked to bring regulations into the 21st Century and to recognize
the move of voice, video and data technologies away from limited analog platforms to
digital applications that bring more value to consumers.
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10. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine10
THE LEADERS
11. Doug Gaston
SVP & General Counsel,
Comcast Cable
Gaston presides over a team of at-
torneys and legal professionals who
provide day-to-day support to the
company’s operating departments at
headquarters and in each of the three
divisions.The Cable Law Department provides legal support
across a wide range of subjects,including,among others,com-
mercial contracts,content acquisition,customer service,litigation,
marketing and advertising,patent prosecution and privacy.An
inductee to theTemple University School of Communications Hall
of Fame,Gaston serves on the board of directors of the Philadel-
phia Diversity Law Group,an organization committed to fostering
diversity among lawyers in the greater Philadelphia region.
12. Asheesh Saksena
EVP & Chief Strategy Officer,
Cox Communications
Saksena’s role as EVP and Chief
Strategy Officer is critical to Cox’s
future growth within the company’s
product portfolio and through the
exploration of adjacent businesses.
For instance, recently his team backed a healthcare venture
with The Cleveland Clinic called “Vivre”—meaning “to live” in
French—which accelerated the adoption of home healthcare
through investing in the remote medical kiosk company
HealthSpot. Expect more strategic investments in the areas of
video, broadband and smart homes as Cox’s deployment of
Gigabit infrastructure ramps up. Saksena is also passionate
about mentoring and giving back. He’s the Executive Sponsor
of the Young Professionals Employee Resource Group (ERG)
and leads Cox’s Millennials Influencing Decision Making
(MIND), which includes a diverse workforce dedicated to
capturing multiple perspectives of young people.
13. Hernan Lopez
President & CEO,
Fox International Channels
“Fox increased its viewership outside
of the U.S. by 13%, cementing its
place as the biggest entertainment
brand in TV,” says Lopez, who as
president and CEO of Fox International
Channels is responsible for that growth. Perhaps the most
notable achievement under his watch has been the rapid growth
of Fox Sports, now reaching 73 million homes in 88 countries
outside the U.S. On the content side, Lopez oversaw the launch
of Fox International Studios, which is expanding FIC’s original
scripted and non-scripted programming. Indeed, he says the
biggest story in cable this year is “the continued increase in
quantity and quality of scripted content being offered.”
14. David Rone
President, Time Warner Cable
Networks & Time Warner Cable
Sports
Rone’s passion for sports and
sports television is evident in Time
Warner Cable’s portfolio of regional
sports networks and programming,
but he also oversees original content and programming
for all 50+ TWC channels. As for the best business advice
he’s ever received, Rone recalls this: “Follow your passion,
be enthusiastic and have a sense of urgency with respect
to getting your work done.” His success in cultivating
relationships with various leagues, conferences and teams
has made the company a valued partner in sports-related
sponsorships and marketing initiatives.
15. Jacqueline Hernández
Chief Marketing Officer,
NBCUniversal Hispanic Group
Appointed to her current position in
May 2014, Hernández reports to the
NBCU Hispanic Enterprises chair-
man and is responsible for driving
audience and revenue growth with
Hispanic consumers across the company’s portfolio of busi-
ness and brands, which include 21 cable television networks,
two broadcast networks, all digital properties, Universal Pic-
tures and theme parks. A seasoned executive with more than
20 years of multimedia experience across television, online
and print, Hernández serves on the Board of Directors of the
Advertising Educational Foundation, T. Howard Foundation
and the Ballet Hispanico.
16. Kimberley Harris
EVP, General Counsel,
NBCUniversal
Harris successfully imparts legal
advice to the NBCUniversal senior
management team and continues
to supervise the law department,
which handles legal matters for
all of NBCU’s business units, including the company’s film
studio, two broadcast networks, 17 cable channels, 50-plus
digital sites, and theme park operations. In addition, she has
made major strides to bolster NBCUniversal’s commitment
to diversity, both by working with minority- and women-
owned law firms and by encouraging the legal community to
embrace diversity in hiring.
11. Crown Media Family Networks
congratulates
M I C H E L L E V I C A RY
on her induction into
Cablefax’s 2015 Program Hall Of Fame
12. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine12
THE LEADERS
17. Scott Mills
EVP, Human Resources and
Administration, Viacom
Mills sets the company’s world-
wide human resources strategies
and practices and leads Viacom’s
administrative functions, including
real estate and security. He reports
directly to COO Thomas Dooley. Previously, Mills served as
President and COO for BET Networks. A native of New York,
he received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics
from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
18. Alberto Ciurana
President, Programming and
Content, Univision
Ciurana is known and respected as
a leader in content development and
is considered one of the leaders in
Hispanic television. He also has been
involved in Teleton Mexico since it
was created in 1997 and helped lead the successful launch
of Teleton USA on Univision, which in the past three years has
raised more than $45 million for children with autism, cancer
and disabilities. In April, he was the recipient of Hispanicize’s
Latinovator Award 2015 for his innovative work and 35-year
media career. “No matter what you achieve or where you go,
always stay humble,” he says.
19. Vincent Cordero
COO, HBO Latin America Group
Cordero took up the position of COO
at HBO Latin America in late 2013
after having brought Fox Deportes
much success during his three-year
stint as EVP/GM. The newly cre-
ated position called on his years of
experience as a creative strategist and seasoned operations
exec. At HBO he is responsible for oversight of technology,
legal, finance and human resources. Cordero also worked at
Univision for more than a decade, holding positions including
VP of business development and labor affairs, and VP and GM
of Univision Chicago TV.
20. Byron Allen
Founder, Chairman, CEO &
President,
Entertainment Studios Networks
Next year isn’t even here yet, but
Allen already has something to look
forward to – his sixth courtroom
series, “The Verdict with Judge
Hatchett,” is set for a Fall 2016 launch. Regarded as a bold
visionary with little self-doubt, Allen continues to move
forward year after year. He has over 30 different series in
production for his television cable networks, and he employs
a full spectrum of minorities in a wide array of positions on
all his shows. “Employing and doing business with everyone
that doesn’t just look and think like ourselves,” says Allen,
when asked how he defines diversity.
21. Rita Ferro
EVP, Disney Media Sales and
Marketing, Disney Media
Ferro is responsible for all advertis-
ing on Disney kids and family TV,
radio and online platforms. Her
sales strategy has resulted in both
revenue and volume increases
for the past several years as well as new clients in new
categories. A proud Cuban-American, she has been named
one of the Most Powerful and Influential Latinos by the
Imagen Foundation for the past three consecutive years.
Ferro prides herself on her commitment to mentoring and
spending time with Latina employees across Disney. “I have
gotten as much out of those experiences as they tell me
they are getting,” she says.
22. Lino Garcia
GM, ESPN Deportes, ESPN
Garcia guides ESPN Deportes on
a day-to-day basis in all areas,
including programming, sales and
marketing. A big accomplishment
over the past year was airing the
2015 Pan American Games live
from Toronto. A recognized industry leader, Garcia currently
serves on the board of NAMIC, Lighthouse International and
the Hispanic Foundation. “Cable can better support diversity
by being relentless in looking for the best and the brightest
from all walks of life, and externally by supporting organi-
zations such as NAMIC and the Walter Kaitz Foundation,”
Garcia says.
13. THE LEADERS
Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015 cablefaxmag.com 13
THEMOST
INFLUENTIAL
MINORITIES
SCRIPPS NETWORKS INTERACTIVE CONGRATULATES
IN CABLE
INCLUDING OUR OWN:
THEMOST
INFLUENTIAL
MINORITIESIN CABLE
Henry Ahn
David Arroyo
Alix Baudin
Cindy Brown
Tamara Franklin
Brigitte McCray
Greg Regis
Michael Smith
Crystal Washington
Julie Yoo
23. Louis Carr
President of Broadcast Media
and Advertising Sales,
BET Networks
In 2015, Carr and his team led a
successful sponsor-driven BET Ex-
perience and BET Awards weekend
with more than 13 million viewers
tuning in for the premiere, making the BET Awards cable’s #1
award show among adults 18-49. Carr also helped partner
with the National Basketball Players Association to broadcast
the inaugural “Players Awards.” And as chairman of the Louis
Carr Internship Foundation, Carr helps provide paid intern-
ships for students of color at leading media and marketing
companies. “BET Networks delivers celebrity, genuine com-
munity, deep audience connection and a rich environment for
brand immersion and brand consumption,” Carr says.
24. Juan Carlos Rodriguez
President, Univision Deportes
Over the past year, Rodriguez has
scored one goal after the next. His
victories include the acquisition of
exclusive Spanish-language media
rights to some of the most impor-
tant properties and tournaments
in sports. Next year, Univision Deportes will broadcast
Copa America Centenario, a soccer event 100 years in the
making with two major soccer confederations—CONCACAF
and CONMEBOL. “In just 3 years,” Rodriguez says, “UDN
outperformed ESPN 2, Fox Sports 1 and NBC Sports Net-
work, among others. This is a true testament to the power
of our content and the growth of soccer among fanaticos in
the U.S.”
25. Sean Cohan
EVP, International, A+E Networks
Cohan is behind the booming
success of A+E Networks’ inter-
national division. In the past year,
deals locked in full ownership of
operations in Southeast Asia and
Italy, the company’s first channels
in France and Russia, and the debut of Lifetime and H2 in
Europe, Asia and the Americas. The portfolio and business
has tripled in size—and Cohan is pushing for even more
growth. His best business advice? Two parts: “First, to
retain almost ‘maniacal’ focus on always doing the best
thing near and long-term for ‘the business.’ And two, taking
calculated and creative risks is everything in our business;
there is no place for fear.”
14. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine14
THE LEADERS
26. Richard Gay
EVP, Strategy and Operations,
BET Networks
During Gay’s tenure at BET Net-
works attendance at BET Experi-
ence has increased 36% drawing
in over 152,500 fans. “The four-day
festival was filled with great
music and comedy concerts,” he says. “We had electrify-
ing performances from Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, Ice Cube,
The Roots, Miguel, Erykah Badu and many more artists at
Club Nokia and Microsoft Center each night.” Honored with
NAMIC’s Next Generation Leader Award, Gay stays active
with philanthropic work as a Trustee of the New York Urban
League, The Jack and Jill Foundation, and other worthy
organizations. He’s led several pro bono initiatives, includ-
ing efforts for the Chicago Urban League.
27. Howard Lee
EVP, Development & Production,
TLC GM, Discovery Life Channel
Lee’s natural instinct and creative
eye for finding stories have helped
lead the network to ratings success.
In 2015, four freshman series that
Lee oversees have been picked up
for a second season – “7 Little Johnstons,” “Love, Lust or
Run,” “My Big Fat Fabulous Life,” and “The Willis Family.”
Howard seeks out multi-cultural talent for the network’s
upcoming programming to appeal to a wide range of demo-
graphic populations, including “Dare To Wear” and “Save My
Style.” “Diversity is not just a skin color,” he says. “It’s a state
of being. All colors, religious beliefs, creeds, sexual orienta-
tions, everything.”
28. Cynthia Chu
CFO, USA Network
Chu was part of the senior team
that contributed to USA Network
closing 2014 as its most profitable
year ever, exceeding the previous
record breaking year, and netting
over $1 billion in profit for NBCU-
niversal. She was instrumental in providing the financial
strategy behind the multi-year strategic partnerships for
the renewal of WWE’s flagship programming and ratings
juggernauts Monday Night Raw and Smackdown. Chu men-
tors two non-finance professionals within NBCU as well as
graduate students through the Ascend mentorship program.
“Achieving a predetermined professional/personal goal and
learn/grow through the journey,” says the exec as to how
she defines success.
29. Marlene Sanchez Dooner
EVP, Hispanic Enterprises &
Content, NBCUniversal
Dooner works closely with NBCUni-
versal Hispanic Group chairman Joe
Uva to develop company initiatives
and new business opportunities in
the Hispanic marketplace across the
company’s networks and platforms. In addition, she oversees
financial planning, strategic initiatives and business develop-
ment for the company’s Hispanic franchises, including Tel-
emundo and NBC Universo. “The cable industry can advance
and better support diversity by continuing to build inclusive
workforces and cultures so that we learn from and leverage
many perspectives,” Dooner says. “Networks should also
continue to invest in content that features a broad array of
characters that reflect real life and resonate with audiences
now more than ever.”
30. Sree Kotay
SVP, Chief Software Architect,
Comcast Cable
Kotay works to align the com-
pany’s overall technical execution
strategy across the enterprise. His
oversight includes the engineer-
ing and operations of consumer
products including websites, mobile apps, next-generation
application platforms, EPGs, and software and hardware for
consumer devices across all lines of business. Kotay serves
as the Executive Champion for Comcast’s Asian Pacific
Americans Employee Resource Group. He also helps to ad-
vise hundreds of employees on how best to retain, recruit,
promote, develop, and engage Comcast’s APA employee
and customer base.
31. Stephen Hill
President of Programming,
BET Networks
Hill rose to his current position late
last year and has since been busy
building his team of “rock stars”
who regularly provide powerful
content for BET. Currently, Hill is
working with Chris “Ludacris” Bridges to produce “The
Label,” a docu-series that will tell the story of the rise
(and sometimes fall) of classic record labels. Through his
relationships in Hollywood and the music industry, Hill cre-
ates incredible programming including First Lady Michelle
Obama attending and honoring the M.A.D. Girls at Black
Girls Rock in April.
15. THE LEADERS
Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015 cablefaxmag.com 15
32. Charisse R. Lillie
VP, Community Investment,
Comcast Corporation
President, Comcast Foundation
Lillie oversees the company’s corpo-
rate and foundation charitable giving,
providing strategic guidance for each
of Comcast’s national community
partners. As the company’s most-senior African American
female executive, Lillie plays a prominent role in strengthen-
ing Comcast’s overall diversity strategy as well, serving as a
mentor in formal programs through Philadelphia NAMIC and
WICT. However, she feels even more can be accomplished.
“Cable can better support diversity by creating environments
which are both diverse and inclusive,” Lillie says. “Nurture
your people and support your people, and they will work hard,
remain loyal and deliver results.
33. Darrell Walker
EVP & General Counsel,
BET Networks
The final deal doesn’t come to-
gether until Walker gets involved.
He serves as chief legal officer
for BET Networks and oversees
all aspects of the company’s
legal affairs related to the development, production
and distribution of original and licensed programming
throughout the network. Included under his wing is
litigation, content protection and antipiracy, and digital
exploitation. Walker, a Stanford Law School graduate,
feels that diversity shouldn’t be about simply fulfilling a
quota: “Industry leaders must recognize that diversity is
neither window dressing nor a numbers game. Support-
ing diversity means to assertively lean into the richness
of resources and talent that diversity brings and putting
those resources to work.”
34. Zola Mashariki
EVP, Programming, BET Networks
Only with BET since April of this
year, Mashariki has already deliv-
ered for the network by creating
“P.S. The Post Show,” and guiding
the format of “Punk’d” and “Zoe
Ever After,” which stars actor/
musician Brandy Norwood. “Creative is the riskiest side of
the business and someone once told me that every piece
of content I produce could make or break my career,” the
mother of twins and Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do says. “So I
make sure that everything I do is something that I’m pas-
sionate about.”
MARIA MARTINEZChief Human Resources Officer, HSNi
YAY!
WE’RESOPROUD
CONGRATULATIONS
16. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine16
THE LEADERS
35. Henry “Hank” Fore
Regional SVP, California Region,
Comcast
A 12-year veteran of Comcast, Fore
leads nearly 5000 employees and
serves more than 2 million custom-
ers, driving annual revenue of nearly
$4 billion. He has led the Califor-
nia Region to first and second place in the last two annual
versions of Comcast’s internal rankings. Fore’s history of
superior operating results is only one reason Comcast trusts
him with one of its most valuable operating areas. “Failure,”
he says, “is not an option.” Having a distinguished career in
the United States Armed Forces, Fore serves on Comcast’s
Veteran’s Network Advisory Board.
36. Vicky Free
EVP & Chief Marketing Officer,
BET Networks
Free directs the brand, marketing
and creative strategy for all busi-
nesses of BET Networks (including
BET and Centric) across all plat-
forms. Based in New York, she over-
sees on-air promotions, off-channel and digital marketing,
market research and affiliate and trade marketing, reporting
directly to Chairman & CEO Debra Lee. “The African American
woman is an incredibly powerful yet often overlooked con-
sumer,” Free says. “Black women control $260 billion dollars
of buying power and consume more television than women
from any other ethnic group.”
37. Marva Smalls
EVP, Global Inclusion Strategy,
Viacom and EVP, Public Affairs &
Chief of Staff, Nickelodeon
Smalls brings more than three
decades of leadership experience in
the public and private sectors to her
dual roles. For Viacom, she works
with leadership across Viacom’s brand portfolio to champion
multiculturalism, inclusiveness and diversity worldwide. Her
role includes the development of the next generation of lead-
ers at Viacom and the expansion of the company’s strategic
partnerships with outside organizations. At Nickelodeon, she
works closely with the president and COO in directing finan-
cial resources, personnel and facilities for their New York and
West Coast offices. She started the Marva Smalls Endowment
to support programs that provide opportunities to youth and
families and this year was elected president of the Big Broth-
ers Big Sisters of New York City board.
38. Claudia Teran
EVP, Business & Legal Affairs,
Deputy General Counsel, Fox
Networks Group; General
Counsel, FOX Sports
Teran’s attention to detail no doubt
helped when negotiating rights ex-
tensions and contract renewals with
major sports organizations, including multi-year deals for
FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments.
She says when she was a summer associate with a law firm,
one of the partners explained the importance of seemingly
minor details. “Finding a spelling or punctuation error could
lead a reader to subconsciously search for problems with the
substance of our work, and make it less likely they would
give the benefit of the doubt should an issue arise,” she
recalls. “That sage advice has followed me—and I now pass
it along to my mentees.”
39. Maria G. Arias
Vice President, Diversity &
Inclusion, Comcast Corporation
Arias spearheads much of Com-
cast Corp.’s diversity and inclusion
strategy, which covers governance,
workforce, supplier diversity, pro-
gramming distribution and content
creation, and community investment. Over the last year,
the company’s broad diversification strategy has led to
national awards including a DiversityInc Top 50 spot, with
the company jumping 19 spots since joining the top 50
list two years ago. Even when it reaches the #1 spot, Arias
says the work won’t be done. “We’ll continue to raise the
bar,” she says.
40. Ralph Martinez
SVP, Comcast Houston Region,
Comcast
With more than three decades
of industry experience, Martinez
leads all employees in embracing
change. Last year, the Houston
region experienced the highest
revenue and cash flow growth and set a record for cus-
tomer growth of positive video subscribers. These days,
the region has the highest participation rate in the country
in the company’s annual employee survey, an increase of
6.5% from the previous year. “Be better than yesterday,”
Martinez suggests.
17. Carlsen Resources celebrates each of this year’s “Most Influential” for their leadership
and also all the courageous souls who have come before and paved the way!
Special congratulations to all the Carlsen Alumni who we have proudly placed in key
positions all across the industry over 26 years.
Ann Carlsen and the Carlsen Resources Team
The world is changing….and so is Carlsen Resources!
Announcing the opening of our offices in London, England to better serve the
growing demand and provide our clients greater access to the best worldwide talent.
Carlsen Resources International
Turnmill Street
London, England
Justin C. Rallis, Managing Director
Keep an eye out for the launch of our new division
- Diversity Resources, Inc.-
Providing our client companies in the entertainment, communications, internet and
technology worlds with ready access to excellent diversity talent!
18. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine18
THE LEADERS
41. Michael Armstrong
EVP and General Manager
International Brand
Development, Viacom
International Media Networks
Since advancing to his new posi-
tion in late 2014, Armstrong has
continued to identify new market
opportunities to launch BET, Paramount and Spike in ad-
dition to overseeing the strategy, branding and operations
of those launches. “Michael has had a long, impactful
tenure with Viacom, both in the U.S. and at international,
spanning key lines of business including affiliate, advertis-
ing and now network development,” says Robert Bakish,
President and CEO of VIMN in a statement. “This promo-
tion recognizes the significant value that Michael’s leader-
ship has delivered for the company.”
42. Isaac Lee
President, News and Digital,
Univision
CEO, Fusion
Lee leads news across Univision,
which delivers a mix of news, pop
culture, and satire content that is
both smart and irreverent across
Fusion’s TV and digital platforms. Lee’s focus and mission is
to tell the stories that matter most to the rapidly growing U.S.
Hispanic community. He pushes his team to pursue stories
on issues that most affect people’s lives on such shows as
“Nightline on Fusion,” always with the aim of fulfilling jour-
nalism’s role of vigilance and service to the public.
43. Ray Gutierrez
EVP, Human Resources,
Showtime Networks
Gutierrez oversees the entire spec-
trum of human resources activities
for CBS Television Networks, which
includes Showtime, CBS Sports,
CBS Sports Network, CBS News and
CBS Entertainment. Known for his integrity and work ethic,
Gutierrez is bi-coastal, frequently flying back and forth be-
tween New York and Los Angeles. He serves on the board of
a number of influential industry organizations and is tasked
with hiring major executives for a broad array of companies
within the CBS Corporation. “A true measure of success,”
he says, “is to have people around you that are enjoying
your success because they are a part of it.”
44. Michelle Kim
SVP, Chief Counsel –
Programming,
Time Warner Cable
A tenacious and creative thinker,
Kim negotiates with program-
mers and content providers
throughout the entertainment
industry to find innovative ways to provide consumers
access to more content on a variety of platforms and
devices. While she identifies success in the workplace
as being part of a respectful team that provides unpar-
alleled legal service with integrity, outside the office
she considers success a state of being: “[It’s] having
confidence in the sound of one’s own voice, and being
true to that voice, not just in good times but also in the
face of failure.”
45. Jennifer Chun
SVP, Global Media Distribution,
NBA; formerly SVP, Content
Acquisition, Time Warner Cable.
Shaping TWC’s vast content and
video products involves negotiat-
ing with many of the industry’s
top media executives, but Chun
always keeps the consumers in mind when making deals
for new content. What’s the best business advice she’s
received? “It’s a small world and your reputation will
precede you,” she says. And her deal support for the
company’s video product group also includes TWC TV on
IP devices. Be it linear, VOD or interactive programming,
Chun strives to make TV Everywhere content diverse and
engaging for customers.
46. Salaam Coleman Smith
EVP, Strategy & Programming,
ABC Family
In July 2014, Coleman Smith
moved to ABC Family, and since
then the network has been well
served by her years of experience,
including her previous roles at E!
Entertainment & Style Network. She now directs long-term
growth strategies and heads up business alliances at ABC
Family, with a special focus on program planning and
acquisitions across platforms. With hit series and social
media successes from “Pretty Little Liars” and “Switched
at Birth,” Coleman Smith continues to bat for the winning
team.
19. THE LEADERS
Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015 cablefaxmag.com 19
47. Enrique R. Martinez
President/GM, Discovery
Networks Latin America/US
Hispanic, Discovery
A part of Discovery Latin American
since its launch in 1994, Martinez
has helped grow DLA/USH into
a juggernaut that distributes 13
networks that reach more than 354 million cumulative
subscribers in 48 countries and territories. He launched Dis-
covery Turbo as a basic network on more than 100 affiliates
across the region, which represents growth of 55% over
last year. Martinez also has overseen more than 200 hours
of original productions, many which achieved record ratings
and numerous awards. Fluent in three languages (English,
Spanish and Portuguese), he is a strong supporter of the
employee inclusive program Discovery Your Impact Day.
48. Brenda Freeman
Chief Marketing Officer, Nat Geo
Channel & Nat Geo Wild
Freeman is both right- and left-
brained, having started as an engi-
neer and later transitioning to the
creative space. That unique balance
gives her a keen appreciation of the
art and science of effective marketing. Despite her strong
analytical background, she is sticking to this business advice:
Trust your gut. “If you always wait for the data crunched evi-
dence, you will be a follower that makes decisions based on
past results. Leaders innovate in the white space,” she says.
49. Mark Garner
SVP, Distribution, Business
Development, Analytics and
Marketing, A+E Networks
A leading TV Everywhere expert,
this year Garner took on the added
responsibilities of digital content
distribution and strategy within A+E
Nets’ digital media group. He’s the man who ensures that
the company is on the forefront of new opportunities and
experiences for TVE, OTT and VOD in the realms of distribu-
tion, marketing, product development and analytics. No small
task, mind you. He’s particularly proud of his recent foray into
digital media, as it’s afforded him “the opportunity to get a
broader view of where growth and innovation in our industry
are taking hold.”
50. Rubén Mendiola
President, NBC Universo
The New England Patriots team
wasn’t the only winner on Super
Bowl Sunday this year. That Febru-
ary 1 game also marked the day
that NBC Universo launched under
Mendiola’s leadership. The modern
sports and entertainment cable channel for Latinos delivers
some of the best sports franchises in the world including
FIFA World Cup, NASCAR Mexico Series and the 2016 Rio
Olympics. Mendiola continues to oversee his team’s efforts
to acquire, develop and launch edgy entertainment program-
ming that will resonate with a broad Latino audience.
51. Kay Madati
EVP and Chief Digital Officer,
BET Networks
Madati leads cutting-edge partner-
ships and initiatives at BET Digital,
the interactive arm of BET Networks,
one of the most influential platforms
for black consumers across the
globe. “As consumer behavior shifts to a multi-screen ap-
proach, BET Digital is reinventing the way it creates content
at the speed of culture,” Madati says. #BETAWARDS was a
worldwide trending topic on Twitter during this year’s awards,
and trended in the United States for more than 8 hours.
52. Maria Martinez
Chief Human Resources Officer,
HSNi
Upped to Chief Human Resources
Officer in June of 2014, Martinez
has since hired key executives
and launched a new career site for
HSNi that streamlined the hiring
and recruiting of new talent—to name just two of her many
accomplishments. In the coming year, Martinez will focus
on succession planning, talent development and revamping
the company’s performance management system. Outside
of work, she is active with the community organizations
Girls Inc. of Pinellas and Metropolitan Ministries, which offer
after-school programs for girls and care for the homeless.
“Girls who are deciding who they want to be when they grow
up need mentors and teachers who can open doors they
otherwise wouldn’t know are available,” she says.
20. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine20
THE LEADERS
53. Matthew Hong
EVP & General Manager,
Turner Sports
Hong runs the day-to-day business,
technical and remote operations
for Turner Sports, which airs events
ranging from Major League Baseball
to the NBA, NASCAR, the PGA of
America and the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tourna-
ment on TNT, TBS, and truTV. Part of Turner’s team since
2008, Hong also oversees various sports digital businesses
including PGA.com, March Madness Live/NCAA.com and
the Turner Sports alliance with Yahoo! Sports, as well as the
company’s recent acquisition of Bleacher Report. “The main
job of any manager, and in the long run their greatest value to
an enterprise, is to manage people,” he says.
54. David Porter
Executive Director,
The Walter Kaitz Foundation
Because of what he does on a
daily basis, Porter plays a key
role in improving the industry’s
diversity. He oversees day-to-day
management of the foundation,
including the allocation of Foundation funds in support
of cable industry diversity efforts and development of an
industry-wide supplier diversity initiative. Through funds,
grants and scholarships, the foundation serves as a cata-
lyst for increasing diversity in cable’s workforce, supplier
base and programming.
55. Elizabeth Asencio
SVP, Client Relations & Marketing
Operations, Content Distribution,
NBCUniversal
Thanks to Asencio, NBCUniversal
was able to broaden high-profile
Hispanic content with targeted
promotion for new brand visibility
through MVPDs. She works tirelessly and creatively with her
team on promotional efforts for high-profile Spanish language
programming for NASCAR and FIFA for Telemundo and NBC
Universo. With a large extended Hispanic family, Asencio is in
the perfect position to make intelligent suggestions on how
to enhance content. “Diversity,” she says, “involves bringing
together people with a variety of different interests, back-
grounds, perspectives and experiences to create an open and
inclusive environment where individuals can collaboratively
learn and grow from others.”
56. Michael Smith
SVP and GM, Cooking Channel,
Scripps Networks Interactive
A veteran of Scripps Networks
for the last 15 years, Smith has
guided the creative, advertising and
brand strategies in marketing and
creative roles, previously holding
multiple marketing titles, including SVP, Marketing for the
Food Network. He received his undergraduate degree from
Stanford University in 1984 and his MBA from the Univer-
sity of California at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business in
1986. Smith says the best advice he ever received was to
keep it “R.E.A.L.” – “R”elationships, constantly “E”quipping
yourself with new knowledge, maintaining a positive
“A”ttitude in the face of failure and constantly improving
your “L”eadership skills.”
57. Ivan Bargueiras
EVP, Advertising, Discovery
Networks Latin America /
US Hispanic
Bargueiras oversees ad sales
for the DLA/USH television and
online businesses and more than
90 employees. His understanding
and respect for cultural differences was a key reason the
company expanded his role to support the International
Ad Sales teams with an eye towards greater collabora-
tion and identification of global business opportunities.
Bargueiras is often tapped as a mentor because of his
business acumen, as well as his forward-thinking ap-
proaches. “Surround yourself with the brightest pro-
fessionals without discarding learning from the most
unexpected places,” he says.
58. Janet Han Vissering
SVP, Development and
Production, Nat Geo Wild
This year marks Nat Geo Wild’s
5th anniversary, and Vissering
has effectively contributed to the
network’s exponential growth
since its launch. 2014 was the
network’s most-watched and highest-rated year ever,
with primetime P2+ delivery up 22% from 2013. Visser-
ing found huge success with last year’s Big Cat Week
event and has been instrumental in making the brand
strong. The ability to lead with command but always with
respect is how she defines success. And when work gets
crazy, it’s “important that you have the escape of your
family to lean on,” she says.
21. THE LEADERS
Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015 cablefaxmag.com 21
59. Jessica Rodriguez
EVP and Chief Marketing Officer,
Univision
Rodriguez oversees all Univi-
sion Communications marketing
functions, including the Univision
Agency, which creates and over-
sees all promotional, creative and
media inventory valued at more than $500 million across
the UCI’s broadcast, cable, radio and digital properties.
She reports directly to the CEO. “Be strong, deliver re-
sults, have an unwavering moral compass, and push your
team always,” says Rodriguez. “Yet always make sure
you never forget to bring your kindness and humanity
every single day.”
60. Tamara Franklin
EVP, Digital,
Scripps Networks Interactive
Franklin oversees the company’s
digital business units to coordinate
overall strategy, focusing on an
integrated company-wide approach
to digital video production and dis-
tribution. Franklin earned her bachelor’s degree in English
from Yale and her MBA from Harvard University. “I hope that
my success is reflected in having raised two responsible,
empathetic and contributing members of society,” Franklin
says of her two children, Miles and Camille. “I hope that
there will be professionally successful men and women who
will want to say that my influence played some role in help-
ing them to achieve.”
61. Stephen Espinoza
EVP & GM, Showtime Sports and
Event Programming
A boxing fan since he was a child
when he viewed the sport with his
grandfather, Espinoza says that
he is especially proud of “help-
ing bring the record-breaking
Mayweather-Pacquiao event to fruition.” The slugfest
shattered all previous pay-per-view records, gross-
ing more than $500 million and was distributed in 175
countries worldwide. A fierce negotiator and passionate
sports enthusiast, Espinoza empowers his employees to
be free-thinking individuals as he manages the day-to-day
activities of Showtime Sports. Outside of the company, he
serves on the board of directors for Heart of Los Angeles, a
community center for young people to engage in enrich-
ment activities in LA’s Rampart District.
22. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine22
THE LEADERS
62. Craig Robinson
EVP & Chief Diversity Officer,
NBCUniversal
Under Robinson’s leadership, OUT@
NBCUniversal, the company’s Les-
bian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender &
Straight Ally Employee Alliance, be-
came the first LGBT group to march
under a banner in the 2015 New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day
Parade. There’s indeed something to march about—for the
third year in a row Comcast and NBCUniversal earned a per-
fect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equal-
ity Index, helping to earn a designation as one of America’s
“Best Places to Work” for LGBTs. “We continue to take pride
in the company’s progress in increasing ethnic diversity in
our workforce and our continued strength in female repre-
sentation,” Robinson says.
63. Marva Johnson
Corporate VP, Technology Policy
and Industry Affairs,
Bright House Networks
Having joined Bright House in 2006,
Johnson evaluates policy implica-
tions associated with the company’s
technological infrastructure, service
delivery and long term strategy. She also works to establish
and drive regulatory strategies for the company’s video, voice
and data services. Prior to taking this role, Johnson served as
acting VP for CLEC Operations for Bright House Networks In-
formation Services (BHNIS). A graduate of Goizuetta Business
School at Emory University and Georgia State University Law
School, she serves as a mentor for Bright House Networks
Women’s Leadership Circle.
64. Carolina Lightcap
Chief Content Officer,
Discovery Networks Latin
America / US Hispanic
Under Lightcap’s leadership, the
DLA/USH portfolio touts its best
ratings ever, with the Latin Ameri-
can portfolio completing its highest
semester ratings (1Q and 2Q) ever, and the US Hispanic
portfolio achieving its best quarter ever. In her new role as
CCO, Lightcap looks to maintain the portfolio’s current lead-
ership position and continue to refine the regionalization
process and strategy. Lightcap will also focus on further
strengthening DLA/USH’s content pipeline and brands, and
expanding her responsibilities to include web and social
media presence.
65. Rodrigo Lopez
Regional SVP, Comcast Oregon &
SW Washington
Lopez cares about the customer
experience. His region has tested a
redesigned statement that makes
it easier for customers to under-
stand their monthly bills. An adept
storyteller, Lopez enjoys telling his employees stories about
customer experiences, leadership and process improve-
ments, noting that these anecdotes help employees re-think,
focus and come together. Lopez is equally devoted to philan-
thropic endeavors, serving on the board of directors for the
United Way of the Columbia-Williamette, Junior Achievement
of Oregon & SW Washington and Oregon Sports Authority. He
provides opportunities for minority awareness and inclusion
with several successful groups including OUT@Comcast.
66. Holly Tang
CFO, Bravo and Oxygen Media
Tang continues to play a vital role
both defining and building the
networks’ strategic initiatives. As a
leader within the content business,
she is the analytical mind among her
creative peers, acting as a mentor
for many who also aspire to be financial leaders within the
industry. This enthusiastic Smith College alumna also encour-
ages new graduates to pursue finance positions and says she
defines success as “building a career where you are learning,
being challenged and at the same time respecting and liking
the people you work with.”
67. Lisa Hsia
EVP, Digital,
Bravo Oxygen and Media
Hsia has built the Digital Media
group into an interactive pow-
erhouse. On the Bravo side, she
oversaw the redesign of BravoTV.
com which allowed fans to take
a deeper dive with the website’s new digital storytell-
ing, “Moments,” which presents fans addictive content
from their favorite shows in one spot. More recently, she
unveiled Oxygen’s new online destination “Very Real,” as
a one-stop shop for millennial women. Bravo Digital re-
cently won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Creative
Achievement in Interactive Media. “Growing our business
and seeing the team’s creative vision recognized was a
double win,” Hsia says.
24. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine24
THE LEADERS
71. Susan Jin Davis
SVP, Strategic Services,
Comcast Cable
An engaged advocate for the
advancement of Asian Americans,
Davis sits on the board of three
nonprofit organizations that serve
the community. A former profes-
sional violinist in high school, she brings great discipline
to her role at Comcast Cable, which includes responsi-
bility to implement product policies, reduce costs and
manage business compliance in close coordination
with Legal, Regulatory and Government Affairs. She’s
also actively involved in Comcast’s diversity efforts. “I
define diversity as that which distinguishes you from the
crowd,” Davis says.
72. Mike Roggero
CFO & COO of Fuse
Roggero has had a busy year. Fresh
off last year’s acquisition of Fuse by
SiTV, he and his team have worked
hard to meld Fuse and NUVO TV
into one network. Then there’s the
launch of brand new TV and digital
channel FM, which will keep music at its core. Diversity
has been top of mind with the changes. “As we re-launch
Fuse to target a diverse, millennial audience of what we are
calling ‘New Young Americans,’ it has been essential for us
to not only reflect this audience in our programming, and
to develop content that is culturally relevant to the most
multicultural generation in U.S. history, but also to ensure
that we hit several notes, not just one,” Roggero says.
73. Sara Clarke
SVP, Corporate Strategy,
Analysis, and Communication,
Showtime Networks
Clarke advises and influences senior
management decisions on issues
critical to the company’s business,
including competition, distribu-
tion, positioning, technology and legislation. Clarke also will
analyze the competitive landscape as the network heads into
its online streaming world. A mentor of students at the Young
Women’s Leadership Network, Clarke says, “Diversity is a
multidimensional imperative for talent recruitment, develop-
ment, and retention in organizations that seek to innovate
and thrive in our dynamic industry.”
74. Maitee Cueva
SVP, Programming and
Development, OWN
Recently promoted Cueva oversees
programming and development for
OWN’s Saturday night program-
ming block, which regularly scores
ratings wins among African Ameri-
can women. It’s important to Cueva that diversity extend to
storytelling on the network, and she sees diversity as going
beyond the standard definition of different races and genders.
“It’s about a variety of life experiences,” she says. “Everyone
has a unique outlook and perspective on life and their own
creative and interesting way to tell a story.”
75. David Espinosa
SVP, Distribution – Strategic
Analysis, Fox Networks
Espinosa strategizes, negotiates,
implements and administers af-
filiate and retransmission consent
agreements between Fox and its
cable, satellite and telco provid-
ers. “I’ve received a lot of guidance from friends, family,
mentors and colleagues over the years,” he says. “One of
the main lessons learned from them is to simplify things
and focus on what’s important.” Espinosa’s keen critical
strategic analysis has been vital to making smart decisions
regarding Fox Networks’ 44 owned-and-operated and joint
venture TV networks.
76. Keith Holmes
SVP, Sales – Retail, Direct, MDU,
Cox Communications
Holmes oversees the impactful
retail program designed to enhance
customer service. Dubbed “The 5
Essential Behaviors,” the program
has greatly increased team morale
and the all-important Net Promoter Score for Cox and has
been so successful that he’s now expanding it to all field
sales channels. Meanwhile, his colleagues are adopting it
across sales call centers. On the topic of success, Holmes is
fond of a quote from Mark Twain: “Let us endeavor so to live
that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
Says Holmes: “If we can do that, we are successful.”
25. THE LEADERS
Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015 cablefaxmag.com 25
77. Cynthia Hudson
SVP & GM, CNN en Español and
Hispanic strategy for CNN/U.S.
Chief among Hudson’s many ac-
complishments is the re-launch of
CNNespañol.com. “This website is
one of the key pillars of our busi-
ness and took years to develop
so that we could focus on the needs of Spanish-speaking
audiences around the world,” she says. Under her leader-
ship, CNNE won its first two Emmys and two GLAAD Awards,
as well as an honorable mention at the Shorty Awards for
Best Multi-Platform Campaign for Social Coverage of 2014
Venezuelan Crisis.
78. Linda Pan
SVP, New Digital Business,
AMC Networks
As cable ramps up its OTT op-
tions, execs like Pan could become
increasingly integral to success. In
the past year she led the launch
of two new SVOD services at AMC
Networks: SundanceNow Doc Club and Shudder. These OTT
services offer curated video experiences for fans of the
world’s best documentaries and horror-themed program-
ming from around the globe. She’ll also focus on growing the
libraries in the coming months while cooking up new SVOD
services for the networks.
79. Julie Yoo
SVP of Corporate Development,
Scripps Networks Interactive
Yoo identifies, values and executes
acquisitions, joint ventures, invest-
ments and partnerships that support
Scripps’ growth objectives. Her goal
is to remain focused on core growth
ideas including digital and international. She will be instru-
mental in finishing the next phase of the TVN deal. An active
member of WICT, Yoo was named by NAMIC as a Luminary
for 2015. She tells us that she works hard to balance work,
family and herself, making sure she schedules time to attend
her two daughters’ various events.
80. Michele Thornton
SVP, Television Sales, Centric
Playing a pivotal role in revamping
the brand, Thornton’s creative vision
to make Centric the first network
designed for black women has been
vital to its success. Thornton believes
firmly in mentorship and is commit-
ted to leading the next generation of executives. At 26, she
began rebuilding her own brand and hired a voice and diction
coach, focused on her education and graduated from college
at the age of 31. Thornton’s proof that you can push your re-
set button at any time.
81. Susette Hsiung
EVP, Network Production
Management and Operations,
Disney Channels Worldwide
Hsiung oversees more than 1000
hours of programming in both
single camera and multi-camera
formats at Disney. She leads a team
managing production companies credited with a long line
of critically acclaimed, award-winning series and movies
for Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior. She also
supports the ABC Family production team. On the diver-
sity front, Hsiung is an executive leader for Disney ABC TV
Group’s Global Workplace and Women’s initiative. “The more
we can showcase characters and stories with diversity in
mind, the better we can find common ground,” says Hsiung,
who champions diverse players behind the scenes to tell
those stories.
82. Sunil Chadda
SVP, Finance,
NBCU Cable Entertainment
In his current role, Chadda over-
sees finance planning, analysis and
controllership for the cable entertain-
ment group. He also leads many
cross-cable entertainment operating
initiatives. A champion of mentoring, Chadda believes that
potential executives sometimes just need a push in the right
direction in order to shine. When advising a mentee who
lacked the confidence to pitch ideas, “I explained that people
respect individuals who are willing to put themselves out
there. After some coaching they decided to pitch a big idea,
and the results were great.”
26. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine26
THE LEADERS
83. J.D. Myers II
Market VP, Northern Virginia;
interim Region Manager, Virginia,
Cox Communications
Given his more than 30 years of
industry experience, it’s no surprise
that Myers was asked to take on the
role of interim Regional Manager for
all of Virginia this year while his predecessor was on personal
leave. Prior to that, he led the fastest growing market for
Cox Business in Northern Virginia. Myers is proud of being
awarded the Mae Douglas Leadership Award by NAMIC-
Atlanta a few months ago. “Receiving an award in Mae’s
name was an incredible honor for me,” he says. “Throughout
her career at Cox, Mae dedicated herself to driving talent and
developing leaders while emphasizing diversity across all
levels of our company.”
84. Paul Richardson
SVP, Human Resources, ESPN
and Chief Diversity Officer,
The Walt Disney Company
Richardson’s natural patience and
empathy for his team stems from his
caring deeply about the company’s
diversity goals. In fact, he champions
minority advancement across the industry. He oversees ES-
PN’s human resource efforts involving 50 different business
units and nearly 7000 employees worldwide. “A diversity and
inclusion definition embraces the perspective that everyone
matters,” he says. “Everyone’s voice and participation is
welcome and is required to drive employee engagement,
productivity and marketplace success.”
85. Tina Simmons
SVP of Human Resources,
Comcast Cable Central Division
Simmons focuses on making the
customer experience the best
product Comcast offers by building
a culture of employee commitment.
And she says the key is optimizing
the work environment and empowering employees to get
the job done right the first time. Simmons’ uncanny ability
to inspire and empower people in order to achieve great
things is part of what makes her such a stand-out leader.
“It’s critical that our employees are along for the ride,”
Simmons says. “The Employee Engagement scores tell us the
employees are with us as we make the changes necessary to
deliver a superior experience.”
86. Lisa Williams-Fauntroy
SVP, Business and Legal Affairs,
Discovery Communications
Williams-Fauntroy negotiates and
drafts crucial programming and
development deals for the world’s
#1 pay-TV programmer. Her complex
deal negotiations and transactional
work play a critical role in programming strategy for the
company. Over the next year, Williams-Fauntroy will continue
to collaborate with network leadership to manage business
strategies and legal processes that ensure viewers worldwide
can access Discovery’s high-quality content. On the topic of
diversity, the Discovery 18-year veteran says “cable can con-
tinue to support diverse organizations that groom emerging
leaders within corporations.”
87. John Giraldo
Chief Accounting Officer,
AMC Networks
Giraldo oversees AMC Networks’ in-
ternal accounting and transactions
as well as acquisition analysis and
integration of new strategic initia-
tives. That puts him squarely in the
center of the joint-venture agreement with BBC America,
in which AMC Nets took operational control. The work done
to integrate the deal’s complex accounting elements and
ensure diligence is a source of pride for Giraldo. “It was a
technically complicated arrangement that required signifi-
cant input from a technical accounting perspective with
many governance issues.”
88. Michelle Strong
SVP, Distribution, A+E Networks
Strong’s mission is to lock in long-
term distribution deals and revenue
growth for A+E Networks. New to
her plate this year is oversight of
digital media and business devel-
opment for negotiating VOD, TV
Everywhere, mobile and other digital media products across
platforms. We’ll see more of this complex wheeling and
dealing next year as she looks for new ways to monetize the
company’s content. Strong believes that diversity in cable can
be achieved with “less talk and more action” and “by having
a willingness to include and an openness to varying experi-
ences, perspectives and cultures.”
27. THE LEADERS
Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015 cablefaxmag.com 27
89. Eglon Simons
President & CEO, NAMIC
The retired Captain of the New York
Army National Guard is a forward-
thinking and highly supportive leader.
As NAMIC celebrates its 35th anni-
versary this year, Simons is focused
on building upon the legacy and
success of NAMIC’s current slate of initiatives by exploring
opportunities to expand the associations reach and enhancing
collaborative practices between NAMIC National, the associa-
tion’s 16 chapters and constituents representing the industry
at-large. In keeping with this mission, Simons successfully
guided his staff in executing strategic partnerships with an-
nual corporate sponsors, allied organizations, media partners
and other key stakeholders.
90. Mark Kang
SVP, Worldwide Distribution, INSP
Diversity to Kang is much like the
Stone Soup story. “When working
together with different ingredi-
ents, a greater good is achieved,
especially during scarcity,” he said.
Under his leadership, INSP has
expanded its distribution with major operators including
Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox, as well as with
small and mid-sized operators through NCTC. Born in
South Korea and raised in New York City, Kang began his
career in finance before he became a talent agent for In-
ternational Artist Agency. His entry into cable started with
Court TV (now known as truTV).
91. Rich Jennings
SVP, Mountain West Region,
Comcast Cable
Earlier this year, Jennings was
named to his current position
where he oversees operations
in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New
Mexico and Utah, with more than
1.5 million customers and 3500 employees. A strong
advocate for minorities, Jennings laments that diversity is
not a natural state. “We have to proactively and purpose-
fully create it,” he says. In addition, Jennings was named
Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association,
Colorado Chapter.
92. Greg Regis
SVP, Advertising Sales,
Travel Channel and
Great American Country
Overseeing ad sales strategy and
revenue, Regis negotiates con-
tracts that account for more than
60 percent of the networks’ annual
ad sales revenue. A graduate of St. John’s University with a
Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, Regis says his
biggest professional accomplishment over the last year has
been “working with the U.S. Travel Association, MasterCard
and Travel Channel to launch a consumer facing campaign
promoting ‘Project Time Off’” so that people can use more of
their paid time off to enjoy family and friends.
93. Alan Lui
SVP, Human Resources,
Time Warner Cable
In a workplace where potential
mergers have danced on the hori-
zon for years, Lui’s efforts to ensure
50,000+ employees remain focused
and engaged in their jobs is vital,
especially with TWC poised to soon become part of Charter
Communications. “When I see the recent news coverage
about technology companies that have not been attentive
to diversity, I’m proud to be in a tech company that is out in
front, realizing the benefits of a diverse workforce,” he says.
94. Hestia Lei
AVP, U-verse TV Content
Marketing and Programmer
Marketing,
AT&T Entertainment & Internet
Services
Lei focuses on enhancing the cus-
tomer experience for AT&T U-verse
subs and offering member perks by leveraging TV content
partnerships and creating campaigns surrounding TVE, kids
and holiday programming and other tentpole events. In
2014, she was one of only 30 AT&T leaders selected for the
year-long intensive General Managers’ Accelerated Devel-
opment Program, which advances execs’ business acumen
and strategic vision. “I was able to expand my internal net-
work with my peers and gain new insight into the world of
capital funding outside of my day-to-day world of consumer
marketing,” she says. “It was an invaluable and humbling
learning experience.”
28. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine28
THE LEADERS
95. Sameel Osuri
SVP-CFO, Finance, US Networks,
Discovery Communications
Osuri manages financial planning
and analysis, budgeting and strate-
gic planning for some of Discovery’s
most high-profile business units.
Over the last year, he has played an
instrumental role as a financial adviser for Discovery’s affili-
ate renewal negotiations. Osuri is also an avid supporter of
Discovery’s global MentorNet program, which lets employees
connect with and learn from professional colleagues at the
company through one-on-one structured mentorships each
year. Diversity, he says, “isn’t about checking a box. It’s about
understanding where the world (our marketplace) is going in
such a connected day and age.”
96. Janice Roberts
SVP, Field Services,
Cox Communications
Roberts trains technicians for
installations and support of Cox’s
product portfolio, including its home
security service Cox Homelife and
the addition of Gigabit Internet. She’s
charged with integrating technology tools so that the field
service process is as efficient and customer-friendly as pos-
sible. She’ll soon implement tech like real-time tech tracking
and rating apps, personalized appointment setting and self-
installation. Some sound advice from Roberts: “People are
the most important asset of any business… Be sure to invest
the time and energy into building strong, empowered and
motivated teams.”
97. Stephen (Steve) Paulus
SVP, News & Local Programming,
Time Warner Cable
With an understanding of how
critical the journalistic reputation
of TWC’s local news outlets and its
flagship NY1 News is to the busi-
ness, Paulus works hard to ensure
all news programming is relevant to viewers. “Diversity is
the essence of our business,” he says. “It is not just limited
to ethnic diversity, but includes diversity of political beliefs,
religion, geography and lifestyle. We are in communications,
and we must recognize that diversity and provide content
that is relevant to all of our viewers/customers [which is] an
amazingly diverse group.”
98. Rosalyn Durant
SVP, College Networks
Programming, ESPN
In her new role at ESPN, Durant
sets the strategic direction for
the network’s college-focused
properties, guiding SEC Network
through its crucial second year
while keeping an eye to the ongoing development of the
maturing Longhorn Network and ESPNU. Beyond her many
contributions at ESPN, Durant serves on the Board of Di-
rectors of the T. Howard Foundation, which is dedicated to
increasing diversity in the multimedia and entertainment
industries. She is, in fact, an alumna of the Foundation’s
internship program. “Never let fear of failure stop you
from trying,” she says.
99. Judi Lopez
SVP, Affiliate Distribution and
Marketing, Fuse
As NUVOtv morphs into Fuse and
the programmer prepares to launch
new network FM, Lopez is lead-
ing the distribution push. With
more than 23 years of experience
in content distribution, affiliate marketing and advocacy,
Lopez also contributes to the National Council of La Raza,
Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other Hispanic groups
to advance the voice of Latinos in the media. “The industry
can better support diversity by hiring, training, mentor-
ing, supporting, championing and promoting employees of
diverse backgrounds,” she says.
100. Veronica Cajigas
SVP, Global Business Operations,
Discovery Communications
Cajigas continues to play a key role
as she helps to consolidate Discov-
ery’s rapidly growing international
businesses. Her ability to attentively
listen to diverse points of view—
coupled with her bilingual skillset—helps her to commu-
nicate in an objective manner that is hugely beneficial in
creating a collaborative, effective team. She refers to this
skill as “translator ability.” “In our industry specifically, I
think recognizing that our clients and audiences are diverse
should translate into having a great level of diversity in our
workforces,” she says.
29.
30. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine30
THE INFLUENTIALS
David Arroyo
SVP, Legal Affairs and
Internal Audit, Scripps
Networks Interactive
Arroyo implements
operational and
financial compliance
audits. He also directs
the company’s adherence to policies,
procedures and regulations to increase
the efficiency and effectiveness of
Scripps Networks’ assurance systems.
Arroyo says cable can better support
diversity by creating “an environment
that rewards contrarian thought, which
starts with hiring people of varying
backgrounds, life experiences and
modes of thinking.”
Tara August
VP, Talent Relations,
Turner Sports
August, an all-star
when it comes to
dealing with players
in the sports world,
oversees all aspect of
the talent department across the divi-
sion’s television and digital platforms.
She has a special emphasis on serv-
ing as the primary liaison to all sports
teams, leagues, agents and celebri-
ties to facilitate contract negotiations
and special guest bookings. During
the 2015 NCAA Tournament, August
scored by securing Georgia State
Head Coach Ron Hunter to serve as
a studio analyst for CBS and Turner’s
coverage of the Sweet 16. “Diversity
is a patchwork of varying qualities,”
she says.
Alix Baudin
SVP/GM, Digital
Operations, Scripps
Networks Interactive
Responsible for
delivering a next gen-
eration multi-platform
lifestyle media ex-
perience for fans of Scripps Networks’
lifestyle media brands, Baudin has
tirelessly built out the company’s digital
strategy and remains a guiding force
in its progression. He has expanded
content on to new platforms, including
Android TV and Chromecast. Scripps has
held a #1 comScore slot for 15 months
with Food Network sites while Food.com
has seen more than 100 percent growth
year over year.
Makesha Benson
VP, Retention
Marketing,
Comcast Corporation
Benson identifies and
executes strategic
market opportunities
to drive improvement
in loyalty with multicultural subscribers.
She also supports mentoring and is a
passionate advocate for diversity and
inclusion. Benson has served on the
board of WICT’s Chicago-area chapter
and is an active member of NAMIC. She
says she defines success the same way
her 5-year-old daughter does: by asking
“Am I doing what makes me happy?”
Paul Biava
VP, Technical
Operations,
Comcast Florida
In one of the most
competitive market-
places in the country,
employees under
Biava’s leadership have developed a
heightened sense of urgency when it
comes to serving customers. Fluent in
Spanish, he brings years of executive-
level business experience—both
domestic and international—to his
role.“Staying focused on the custom-
ers and delivering excellent service to
them, and the business will take care of
itself,” Biava advises.
Charlie Jordan Brookins
SVP of Original
Programming,
BET Networks
Jordan Brookins
oversees BET pro-
gramming including
“Being Mary Jane,”
and “Nellyville.” Next up is “According
to Alex,” which follows the daily life
of Alex Martin Dean, the daughter of
Whoopi Goldberg. To foster promotions
from within BET, Jordan Brookins has
developed BRIDGE (Building Re-
sources Internally to Develop Game-
Changing Executives), which allows
assistants to step up and shine. The
exec crossed her own “bridge” when
she completed WICT’s Betsy Magness
Leadership Institute. “The program
built my leadership toolkit tremen-
dously,” she says.
Cindy Brown
VP, Program Planning
and Strategy, Scripps
Networks Interactive
With Brown’s smart
scheduling strate-
gies, she’s been able
to impact the ratings
records and growth at HGTV, DIY Net-
work and Great American Country. HGTV
recently celebrated its 14th consecutive
month of year-on-year ratings growth,
and finished the first three months of
2015 with the highest quarterly adults
25-54 rating in history. Meanwhile, DIY
Network is breaking records as well,
and ratings at Great American Country
are at a six-year high.
Brie Bryant
VP, Development and
Production, Original
Programming
Oxygen Media
In her role, Bryant is
always looking for
diverse and extraor-
dinary stories. Enter Oxygen’s “The
Prancing Elites,” which follows an
all-male competitive dance team in
Mobile, Ala. “There is something to be
celebrated about an authentic group
of folks who never stop celebrating
who they are despite the rejection
and the hurdles that they have faced,”
Bryant tells us. Her gut was right, with
it marking the network’s highest-rated
series premiere among all key demos
since its rebrand. Bryant shared Oxy-
gen’s development meeting mantra,
which sounds like it could also be The
Prancing Elites’ theme song: “Feel the
fear and do it anyway.”
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THE INFLUENTIALS
Adrienne Byrd
SVP Legal, Sprout
Byrd brings 20 years
of experience in
corporate and media
law to her role at
Sprout. She ensures
that the network is in
compliance with FCC and FTC regula-
tions and provides legal guidance to
all departments across the network.
Away from work, Byrd sits on the
board of directors for the Settlement
Music School, the largest community
school of the arts in the United States.
Diversity, she says, “is starting to
include any group of people that dif-
fers significantly from another group
of people (whether it is appearance,
sexual orientation, veteran status of
level in your organization).”
Eric Claytor
SVP, Affiliate
Distribution and
Marketing,
Entertainment Studios
Network
Under Claytor’s guid-
ance, ESN experi-
enced double-digit growth in 2014,
with the addition of nearly 50 new
affiliate partnerships. Currently, ESN
can be seen in more than 75 markets
nationwide. The biggest story in cable
this year, he says, has been “‘Skinny
packages’—fewer channels for less.”
Claytor is also a co-founder and
board member of Renewing Smiles, a
non-profit organization that focuses
on reducing the costs associated with
congeniality missing teeth.
Sean Coar
GVP, Strategy and
Business Decisions,
Time Warner Cable
Media
When it comes to
managing new prod-
uct development and
strategy for Time Warner Cable Media’s
$1 billion advertising arm, Coar’s not-
so-secret secret is his ability to build
and nurture strong, diverse teams that
work well together. In the past year, “we
reorganized a team of a hundred-plus
employees under two new leaders. They
have performed beyond my wildest
expectations and I am so proud of their
success,” he says.
Michael Cooper
VP, Distribution
Marketing & Ad Sales,
Fox Networks
Cooper develops
marketing strategies
for Fox Networks’ dis-
tribution efforts, and
this year he oversaw numerous partner-
ship marketing implementations with
Fox Networks’ largest pay-TV partners.
With customers becoming more diverse,
“it’s imperative that the cable industry
knows how to reach and communicate
with them, as well as understand their
likes and dislikes. That means incorpo-
rating a different, less traditional way of
viewing things.”
Tonya Cornileus
VP, Learning &
Organization
Development, ESPN
In addition to her
primary duties,
Cornileus also serves
as an adviser to
senior management. She has spoken
at the Society for Human Resources
Management and acted as a volunteer
for Hands-On Atlanta and My Sister’s
House. Diversity, she says, “is the
awareness, understanding, apprecia-
tion, and inclusion of those differences
that make diversity within organiza-
tions a competitive advantage.”
Wayne Davis
SVP, Human Resources,
West Division, Comcast
When Davis launched
a new internal
employee brand for
Comcast Cable’s West
Division earlier this
year, it underscored his commitment to
continuously making the division better
for customers, shareholders and one
another. The creation of a Center of
Excellence for employee communica-
tions allows 21,000 employees in 11
states to engage more fully. “As we
look to serve a broader, more diverse
customer base, we will be forced to
better understand the impact of culture
on how we operate and run our busi-
ness,” he says.
Maria Laino DeLuca
SVP, Consumer and
Trade Marketing,
Bravo Media
DeLuca was a key
driver in the suc-
cessful launch of
Bravo’s first scripted
series, “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,”
overseeing the marketing team as it
executed a series of traditional and
non-traditional initiatives timed to the
launch. Highlights included a buzzy ad
campaign featuring series star Lisa
Edelstein and that was banned by the
MTA for being too risqué. A role model
for Latinas and working mothers, De-
Luca says that she supports “cultivat-
ing talent in front of and behind the
camera.”
Monica Diaz
VP, Diversity, Inclusion
and Wellness, ESPN
Diaz brought more
than two decades
of experience in
the HR field when
she joined ESPN in
2012. She now coaches franchise
leaders and business executives in
areas of organizational development,
inclusion and sponsorship. When it
comes to mentoring, Diaz believes
in starting with minority students
in middle schools, colleges, and
universities throughout the U.S. and
Latin America. And while diversity
and inclusion often get referenced to-
gether, Diaz sees a distinct difference
between the two: “Diversity is about
who’s on the team. Inclusion is about
who gets to play.”
32. cablefaxmag.com September 2015 Cablefax: The Magazine32
THE INFLUENTIALS
Oliver Dizon
SVP, Strategic Sales
Planning and Revenue
Enhancement, ESPN
Dizon leads the
day-to-day business
planning and pricing
activities, overall
marketplace evaluation, and develop-
ment of long-term and short-term ad
sales strategy at ESPN. Together with
the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and
ESPN Technology group, he over-
sees revenue management and price
optimization tools designed to maxi-
mize inventory across all the company
assets. “I don’t know if there is one big
story in cable this year,” says Dizon.
“But consolidation and cord cutting are
two of the topics that have certainly
dominated the news.”
Marty Dominguez
VP Marketing, C-SPAN
Thanks to
Dominguez’s market-
ing chops, C-SPAN’s
outreach efforts have
increased despite
a small staff and a
nonprofit budget. Milestones include
executing 269 events with C-SPAN
marketing reps in various communities,
developing MSO co-branded bus tours
to universities, increasing local media
hits by 15% and exceeding the social
media campaign goal of one million
Twitter followers and 500K Facebook
likes by 206K followers and 140K likes,
respectively. She’ll soon tackle C-
SPAN’s signature election coverage with
“Campaign 2016: Road to the White
House.”
Jessica Fang
SVP, Distribution,
National Accounts,
Fox Networks
Fang works on some of
Fox Networks’ biggest
and most complex ac-
counts, so she always
seeks out new distribution models, in-
cluding VOD, online branded content and
any other viable emerging platforms she
identifies. Ever modest, she shares her
success with her teammates, but says,“I
celebrated my 13th year anniversary this
past spring and I am proud to say I have
the privilege of working alongside the
best in the business.”
Leslie Farrell
VP, Current
Production,
Bravo Media
Blind dates sometimes
do work out.That’s
what Farrell discovered
when unseen matches
were added to the 8th season of Bravo’s
“The Millionaire Matchmaker.” Other
additions to the show included celebrity
bachelors and bachelorettes along with
the introduction of a more dynamic re-
cruiting process, making it one of seven
series in 2015 to date to post season
over season growth in 18-49. Never one
to play it safe, she says “it’s okay to take
the unbeaten path.” Good advice, consid-
ering she’s also an active mentor.
Gregg Fujimoto
President, Oceanic
Time Warner Cable
Fujimoto’s vast mar-
keting skills—honed at
various agencies while
working with top-tier
clients like Major
League Baseball and brands including
Dell, Chrysler, and Nabisco—are now
helping to take TWC’s Hawaii operations
to the next level.As one of the nation’s
most diverse markets, diversity is a
matter of course.“It’s respecting and ac-
knowledging disparate beliefs, thoughts
and backgrounds in everyday actions,”
Fujimoto says.
Javier Garcia
VP and GM,
Multicultural Services,
Comcast Cable
At Comcast since No-
vember 2014, Garcia
has helped grow the
company’s multi-
cultural customer base, making Xfinity
products more accessible. He has also
spearheaded development of the indus-
try’s first-ever Spanish User Interface for
the X1 Entertainment Operation System.
“At its core, diversity is about variety and
representation of multiple points of view,”
he says.“We see diversity not only as a
necessity but also as a strength and a
competitive advantage.”
Tonie Garcia
VP of SMB Direct
Sales, Northeast
Division,
Comcast Cable
Garcia focuses on
driving direct sales
strategy and transfor-
mation efforts for the Northeast Division’s
small and medium-sized business clients
in 14 northeastern states—a footprint
consisting of nearly 500K SMB clients
and almost eight million residential
customers.This WICT member has also
completed the Partnership Fellows and
Corporate Emerging Leaders programs.
Glenn Goldsmith
VP, Programming,
Mediacom
Communications
Goldsmith has
participated in every
major programing
deal Mediacom has
done in the last 15 years, and he was the
lead negotiator for all its retransmission
consent deals in 2014. It’s no secret that
impressed colleagues often seek out
Goldsmith’s counsel.And just last year he
imparted some of that same counsel as
a guest lecturer at St. John’s Law school:
“I focused on interest-based negotiation
and the techniques of resolving impasses
and responding to difficult negotiators
and difficult negotiating situations.”
Lisa Ray Griffin
VP of Finance,
Turner Entertainment
Networks
Griffin oversees
budgeting/long-range
planning, forecasting,
and financial report-
ing for Turner Entertainment Networks.
33. Cablefax: The Magazine September 2015 cablefaxmag.com 33
THE INFLUENTIALS
She also provides strategic support for
network executives to assist them in
achieving business goals along with her
team of finance professionals. In addition
to her work at Turner, Griffin undertakes
various volunteer efforts.And just this
year, NAMIC named her one of the indus-
try’s Emerging Business Leaders.
Maureen Guthman
SVP, Programming &
Acquisitions,
BET Networks
As an expert negotia-
tor, Guthman credits
her time working as
an airlines customer
service rep for honing that particular
skill. “Don’t eat lunch at your desk,”
she recommends. “A walk can stimu-
late thinking and can ultimately make
you more productive.” A devoted aunt
to 15 nieces and nephews, Guthman
continues to bolster career opportunities
for women, the LGBT community and
African Americans.
David Harleston
General Counsel and
EVP, Business and
Legal Affairs, Al
Jazeera America
Harleston was behind
the acquisition of Cur-
rent TV by Al Jazeera
Media Network when he was the net’s
General Counsel. He then helped trans-
form Al Jazeera America into a national,
24/7 news channel. The biggest story
in cable for Harleston is consolidation.
“The outcome of the FCC’s pending
inquiry into OTT opportunities will speak
volumes about the future of program
access and the preservation of indepen-
dent programmer diversity.”
Eric Hawkins
EVP, Human Resources,
Discovery
Communications
Hawkins oversees
Human Resources
Management for all
of Discovery’s U.S.
networks and joint ventures, includ-
ing talent management, leadership
development, recruitment, inclusion
and more. He’s been instrumental in
several high profile executive ap-
pointments for the company this year,
including welcoming Rich Ross as
President of the Discovery Channel,
and he plays an integral role as the
leader of Discovery’s strategic “HR
2020” initiative. “At Discovery,” he
says, “employees are the heart and
soul of our business. They are as var-
ied and vast as the brands we offer.”
Darrel Hegar
RVP, Operations —
Carolinas,
Time Warner Cable
Hegar’s well-rounded
background serves
him well in oversee-
ing field operations
and service delivery to more than
two million residential customers in
the Carolinas. His team of more than
4,000 employees serves accounts
totaling $2 billion plus in annual
revenue, indicating he took this busi-
ness advice to heart: “Take great care
of your employees, and they will take
great care of your customers,” he
says. “A customer experience deliv-
ered by a passionate and empowered
employee becomes a unique competi-
tive advantage.”
Zenita Henderson
Senior Marketing
Manager, Global
Marketing, ARRIS
Henderson excels at
managing business
relationships both
within the global
sales team and with outside industry
associations. She also connects the
cable industry with local commu-
nity groups and is passionate about
empowering the next generation of
cablers. Take last year’s Tech It Out
“Wi-Fi Everywhere” event that she
planned with a group of WICT profes-
sionals. “The event was designed to
help non-technical people understand
the ‘how’ and ‘whys’ of cable tech-
nology and Wi-Fi,” she says. “I was
responsible for helping to craft the
agenda, attract speakers, and retain
some of the industry’s most influential
sponsors. It was a lot of work, but well
worth the effort.”
Dawn Holliday-Mack
VP of Audience
Strategy & Insights,
El Rey Network
Over the last year,
Holliday-Mack has
propelled El Rey
Network’s commit-
ment to diversity by spearheading
the creation of The El Rey Diversity
Council, an advisory group comprised
of leading national Latino advocacy
organizations. It’s all about sharing
best practices that promote diver-
sity, actively monitor the industry’s
progress, and publish detailed annual
reports. And this October, Holliday-
Mack will work with NALIP (National
Association of Latino Independent
Producers) to launch the inaugural
Latino Lens Filmmaker Showcase.
John Hsu
SVP, Treasurer &
Financial Strategy,
AMC Networks
Hsu oversees
corporate busi-
ness development,
evaluates business
opportunities and has a hand in risk
management, forecasting and M&A.
As such, he led the valuation team in
negotiating the acquisition of AMC’s
49.9% interest in BBC America and
advised on the acquisition of Chel-
lomedia, now AMC Networks Inter-
national, as well as AMC Ventures’
digital investments in DramaFever
Corporation. When it comes to the
BBCA acquisition, Hsu says it “rep-
resented the best of AMC Networks
with executives from all departments
pitching in and solving what seemed
like daily challenges.”
