cfx_december-2024 - 13

I was working at CBS News and the network had broadcast rights to the Olympics.
I expected to be sent as part of the team covering the Games since I typically
covered big events but didn't make the list. When I asked my boss, he said
" you have young kids so I assumed you wouldn't want to go on a long, foreign
assignment. " I reminded him he also had young kids, as did the other men assigned
to go. He seemed surprised I called him out but said I was right and apologized.
Kathleen Finch
Chairman and CEO, U.S. Networks
Warner Bros. Discovery
The phrase " end of an era " is overused, but it's absolutely on point to describe Finch's
retirement from her post at the end of the year. A celebrated network brand builder with
keen creative instincts and a knack for understanding how to tap into the zeitgeist of popular
culture and deliver what audiences want, Finch drove the success of countless series
and brands across Discovery's lifestyle networks, and then for all combined nets after the
merger, with her characteristic unflappable resolve. All along, the mother of three grown
daughters has been a steadfast advocate, champion and mentor for women across the
television industry.
Deborah Kish
VP, Research & Workforce
Development
Fiber Broadband Association
Kish is a cornerstone of
FBA, ensuring it is constantly
working to recruit and
train individuals to build out
networks of the future. She
continues to expand the OpTIC
Path fiber optic technician certification program
and has been responsible for adding 17 states and
18 training locations in the past year. She developed
a Workforce Development Guidebook to help states
best utilize their BEAD funding, and she's active in
FBA's Women in Fiber Committee as well as the Telecommunications
Industry Registered Apprenticeship
Program Advisory Committee and N.C. Broadband
Workforce Plan Advisory Committee.
Unfortunately, I have firsthand
experience with the challenges
women face in the telecom industry.
After a presentation at a conference,
a male attendee asked me how
difficult it must be to be a woman in
this field. When I inquired about the
reason for his question, he essentially
implied that my appearance was
more important than my content. I will
never forget that.
CablefaxWomen.com
Field day; 50-yard dash in the
second grade, which was all genders
at the time. I won, beating the
fastest boys in the class! I remember
the shock by my classmates
and their parents, but it didn't
register to me that a girl wasn't
expected to win. I just thought " I
am fast, and I can win. " I was at
an age with a joyful ignorance of
social expectations and athletic
differences. I don't know what
happened to my
speed because I am
really slow now.
Vicki Williams
Chief Human Resources Officer
NBCUniversal
Williams and her team
launched and led the Here She Can Program that
creates mentoring, learning and networking opportunities
for women across the company. She also
partnered on the Women's Leadership Masterclass
focused on connecting and developing female leaders
at NBCU. Williams champions impactful employee
programs including a more inclusive intern program,
employee assistance program and expanded benefits,
including 16-week parental leave and transgender
health services.
December 2024
13

http://www.CablefaxWomen.com

cfx_december-2024

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