Cablefax The Magazine - September 2016 - 39

THE INFLUENTIALS
Marcela Tabares
SVP Research &
Strategic Insights,
A+E Networks
Inspired by fresh,
inventive and " unreal "
(pun intended) ways
of mining insights and
telling stories, Tabares leads her team
in integrating traditional and emerging
research methods. She leans in to help
defi ne brands and knows when to lean
out to help grow loyalty. Tabares has received
a Gold Effi e for ad effectiveness.
The exec lends her support to NY-based
charity Fiver. " Its mission is to empower
children to become engaged citizens,
to succeed in school and to develop a
career vision, " she says.
Crissy Thomas-Taylor
VP, Business Affairs,
NBCU Cable
Entertainment
Well, isn't that special!
Among her recent
accomplishments,
Thomas-Taylor negotiated
Dana Carvey's agreement for USA's
unscripted series " First Impressions. " A
14-year-veteran of NBCU, she handles
high-level business affairs for several
shows including USA's " Mr. Robot. "
Taylor-Thomas is also the lead business
affairs exec for Syfy's " Face Off. " She
cites ABC's " Scandal, " " American Crime "
and " Black-ish " as examples of broadcast
shows that best embrace diversity.
Lawrence Tuckett
VP, Design Services,
AMC
Tuckett is a creative
communicator,
marketer and project
leader with more than
15 years of experience
in corporate communications,
marketing, and strategic business
development. He plays an integral role
in ensuring and maintaining a consistent
look for AMC's brand in everything
from upfront and consumer marketing
materials to ad campaigns and social
media. He's a member of the Promax
Cablefax: The Magazine
Diversity Counsel as well as NAMIC and
CTAM. Tuckett's motto? " Work hard and
be nice to people. "
Kavita Vazirani
SVP, Media Strategy &
Sciences,
Comcast Cable
Vazirani remains
focused on channeling
the needs and
behaviors of the millennial
and post-millennial generations.
Her role is to understand the shifts
in how these generations consume
content, and leverage the convergence
of segmentation, data, and tech. She is
also responsible for driving the strategy
for paid and owned media assets for
Comcast. Of course, results at work are
vital, but Vazirani maintains that true
" success is not just about achieving
your goals, acquiring wealth, or having
a good career... It's about the way you
impact people's lives and the legacy
you leave behind to inspire them. "
Crystal Washington
SVP, External
Relations & Vendor
Management, Scripps
Networks Interactive
Washington enhances
and manages Scripps'
vital relationships with
key constituents and community partners
to strengthen marketplace position
as well as ensure a diverse pool of vendors.
She gives cable a mediocre grade
on diversity. " With the current infl ux
in America, I'd give the cable industry
and America as a whole a C, " she says.
" We've made some inroads, but there
is still so much work to be done in all
aspects of diversity.
Donna Rattley Washington
VP, Government &
Community Affairs,
Comcast Beltway
Region
Washington plays
a signifi cant role in
Comcast's legislative
and regulatory goals. As part of the
September 2016
company's 15th annual day of service
in April, her team coordinated 59 Comcast
Cares Day projects throughout the
region with more than 6,200 volunteers
serving 37,000 volunteer hours.
Washington mentors those seeking to
join the cable business. " I believe our
industry is keenly aware that product
innovation and customer and audience
loyalty only occur if the workforce
that develops, markets, and delivers
its products and services refl ects the
diversity of our communities, " she says.
Alaka Williams
SVP, Network Human
Resources, Scripps
Networks Interactive
Williams is celebrating
her fi rst anniversary
in her role, where
she leads HR efforts
across all of Scripps Networks' brands
in the U.S. Her biggest career successes
are directly attributable to the
creation and leadership of teams that
develop key talent to achieve organizational
growth while navigating industry
trends. Away from work, she donates
her time to the Boys and Girls Club of
America. " I fi nd great benefi t in working
with diverse youth who perhaps may
not have the best access to coaches,
leaders and mentors due to circumstances
or situations, " Williams says.
Theresa Vargas Wyatt
VP, Corporate & Brand
Development,
El Rey Network
Wyatt is the leading
force behind the El
Rey Network Diversity
Council, which contributes
to the idea that diversity within
the entertainment industry should be
the rule, not the exception. She helps
spearhead the organization's efforts
to not only promote diversity but also
monitor progress and identify changes
that help forward the conversation.
Count Wyatt among the execs who applaud
Shonda Rhimes' lineup of shows.
She adds, " America is beautiful in its
diversity. "
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