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WICT Announces Betsy Magness Leadership Institute Classes 30 and 31
[June 25, 2014]

WICT Announces Betsy Magness Leadership Institute Classes 30 and 31


WASHINGTON --(Business Wire)--

Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) today announced the members of Classes 30 and 31 of the 2014-2015 Betsy Magness Leadership Institute (BMLI).

BMLI is recognized by the industry as the premier leadership development program for executive women in cable and telecommunications. This year represents the 20th anniversary of BMLI. Since its launch in 1994, nearly 750 women have graduated from the program.

WICT is pleased to announce Time Warner (News - Alert) Cable returning as the exclusive BMLI Premier Sponsor. Suddenlink Communications also returns as the Supporting Sponsor of the upcoming classes.

"BMLI participants represent remarkable women executives from across the cable industry, and our newest classes are no exception," said Maria E. Brennan, CAE, WICT President & CEO. "This year, the BMLI program celebrates its 20th year of developing women leaders. We look forward to celebrating their achievement and BMLI's landmark anniversary at the 2014 WICT Leadership Conference during Diversity Week in New York this fall."

Members of Class 30 of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute are:

  • Darci Bailey, VP & Associate General Counsel, A+E Television Networks
  • Karen Blackburn, VP, Human Resources, Bright House Networks
  • Melissa Buscher, VP, Integrated Communications Management, Time Warner Cable
  • Jana Cheatham, Senior Account Director, Juniper Networks (News - Alert)
  • Meredith Cooper, VP, Creative Director On Air, IFC
  • Nancy Davoust, Distinguished Engineer, Systems & Security Architect, Comcast
  • Cindy Finke, VP, Program Publicity & Communications, CMT
  • Diana Fusco, Group Vice President, Time Warner Cable Media
  • Susan Gibbs, VP, Finance & Accounting, Comcast
  • Cheryl Goettsche, General Manager, Cable One
  • Theresa Hennesy, SVP, Group Technical Advisor, Comcast
  • Linette Hwu, VP, Business & Legal Affairs, Scripps Networks Interactive
  • Allison Joyce, VP, Talent Operations & Management, Comcast
  • Tracey Kopper-Hourin, Executive Director, Human Resources, Comcast
  • Elana Mandelup, VP, Corporate Communications, AMC Networks
  • Cynthia Pekrul, VP & Deputy Controller, Turner Broadcasting, Inc.
  • Keri Reisbeck, VP, Human Resources, Comcast Spotlight
  • Michelle Rogers, VP & Associate General Counsel, BET Networks
  • Colette Rubio, SVP, Technology Program Management, HBO
  • Marci Saaijenga, VP, Technology, Cox (News - Alert) Communications
  • Rosaria Sasso, VP, Employee Benefits Planning, Viacom Inc.
  • Joanne Sibony, VP, Program Delivery, Comcast Cable
  • Julie Sobieski, VP, League Sports Programming, ESPN
  • Carol Stiff, VP, Digital Media, ESPN
  • Julie Taylor, SVP, Program Planning & Strategy HGTV/DIY Network/ Great American Country, Scripps Networks Interactive
  • Tessie Topol, VP, Corporate Social Responsibility, Time Warner Cable
  • Julie Unruh, VP, Revenue Assurance, Charter Communications



Members of Class 31 of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute are:

  • Jill Arbet, VP, Marketing, Suddenlink Communications
  • Karen Baker, VP, Compensation, NED, Comcast
  • Michelle Bella, VP, Sales & Consumer Marketing, ESPN Deportes
  • Alix Cottrell, Group Vice President, Video, Time Warner Cable Inc.
  • Claire Curley, VP, Content Development, Viacom
  • Kelley Drukker, VP, Rights & Clearances and Standards & Practices, A+E Networks
  • Jennifer Dunn, VP, Human Resources, AMC Networks
  • Michelle Frank, VP, Platforms & UX Comcast.com, Comcast
  • Julya Fridman, VP, Business Development & Distribution Analytics, A+E Networks
  • Janis Hurt, Director, Advertising Sales, Cable One
  • Charlie Jordan Brookins, SVP, Original Programming, BET Networks
  • Jill King, SVP, Strategic Marketing & Partnerships, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
  • Jennifer Labs, VP, Customer Service Strategy & Operations, Customer Experience, Comcast
  • Michelle Levasseur, VP, Human Resources, Comcast
  • Aimee Metrick, VP, Public Relations, Comcast
  • Crystal Morales, VP, Business Affairs, Turner Entertainment Networks
  • Helene Pandal, VP, Market Research Strategy, Cablevision Systems Corporation
  • Michelle Ray, Deputy Executive Director, Walter Kaitz Foundation
  • Julia Reese, VP, Partner Marketing, Viacom Media Networks
  • Pamela Reilly, Director, Sales Operations, Cisco (News - Alert) Systems, Inc.
  • Christine Rodocker, VP, Affiliate Marketing, INSP
  • Mary Rooney, VP, Strategic Planning & Communications, Comcast Spotlight
  • Marcia Sauzek, VP, Finance, Cox Communications
  • Nancy Spears, VP, Digital Media Distribution & Monetization, Comcast
  • Lynne Taylor, VP, Specials & Music Production/Executive Producer, BET Networks
  • Cheryl Von Sprecken, VP, Programming, Charter Communications
  • Joella Wind, VP, Video & Voice Product Management, Time Warner Cable Business Class

The women selected for BMLI Classes 30 and 31 will participate in a yearlong educational program which incorporates direct feedback on their leadership styles, as well as guidance in developing a strategic vision for their teams and companies. WICT's content partner for BMLI, the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), is a top-ranked, global provider of executive education, recognized for its exclusive focus on leadership education and research.


Additional details about BMLI and Classes 30 and 31 can be found here (www.wictbmli.org).

The Institute's Founding

Established by WICT in 1994 with a generous grant from TCI's Bob Magness and J.C. Sparkman, the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute is named in honor of one of the industry's most charismatic leaders, a cable pioneer who combined business acumen with compassion. Betsy Magness was instrumental in transforming TCI, later AT&T Broadband and Internet Services, and now Comcast, into one of the nation's most prominent and influential cable and telecommunication companies.

About WICT

For thirty-five years, Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) has partnered with cable and telecommunications leaders to provide professional development programs, research and services that help advance women in cable media. With nearly 10,000 members, WICT is the oldest and largest professional association serving women in the cable and telecommunications industry. Comcast|NBCUniversal, Time Warner Cable, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and Suddenlink Communications are WICT's Strategic Touchstone Partners. Please visit www.wict.org or follow @WICT on Twitter (News - Alert) for more information.


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