Cablefax The Magazine - September 2017 - 24

THE LEADERS
79. Rahsaan Harris
President & CEO
Emma Bowen Foundation
Harris stepped in as head of the
Emma Bowen Foundation in 2015
and has ably guided the nonprofi t
with a keen eye to the future. The
foundation has a long legacy of
diversifying the media industry by giving talented students of
color the opportunity to intern at some of the nation's leading
media and cable companies. Harris has expanded its role and
reach, engaged new partner companies, increased recruitment
efforts and facilitated more conversations on diversity
and inclusion with Emma Bowen Fellows. Diversity is broad
and can include many dimensions, he says. " However, I think
we would benefi t from exploring how colorism affects diversity
outcomes. Colorism is a form of discrimination in which
people are treated differently based on the social meanings
attached to skin color. "
80. Mark Kang
SVP, Worldwide Distribution
INSP
Kang has extensive experience in
the cable industry, and continues to
stretch INSP's boundaries, literally
and fi guratively. Q1 2017 was the
network's highest-rated quarter in
history, and Kang is ensuring an ever-expanding audience is
able to view its programming. Among recent headlines, INSP
renewed its affi liation agreement with NCTC in the spring,
and launched on Verizon FiOS in HD this summer. Kang's
most successful strategy for mentoring industry up-andcomers?
" Calvin Coolidge's philosophy on persistence, " he
says.
81. Sameel Osuri
SVP, Global Operations
Discovery Communications
It's been a big year for Osuri. His
responsibilities recently expanded to
include Global Content Operations for
Discovery, including programming
operations, content fi nancial planning,
and content accounting globally. He continues to lead strategic
fi nancial planning, and budgeting for Global Technology & Operations
as well as Discovery Education, which provides standardsbased
K-12 digital content to 4.5 million educators and more
than 50 million students. An active mentor, Osuri believes in
being realistic, noting that " time is a fi nite resource, and to invest
it optimally in existing relationships sometimes means saying
'not now' to new ones. [The] door never closes; just being honest
about your time is usually appreciated. "
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82. Rosalyn Durant
SVP, College Networks,
Programming
ESPN
At a time in which change is the
norm at ESPN, Durant's leadership
provides the company's college
networks with stability. Durant has
gotten the SEC Network off on the right foot in its early years
and has expanded distribution for ESPNU. She was also at
the table when ESPN acquired the rights for the " College
Football Playoff, " which has been a ratings beast. Durant has
established herself as an advocate for diversity in the industry,
most notably with her work for the T. Howard Foundation.
" Their important work brings more diversity to our industry.
I'm a proud alum of their internship program, " she says.
83. Nina Diaz
EVP, Unscripted & Reality
Programming
MTV & VH1
Diaz has been on the fast track at
Viacom. She was elevated to her
position last fall-her second promotion
in six months-where she's
been stewarding the unscripted business for MTV and VH1 as
the networks cement their core DNA under Viacom chief Bob
Bakish. And she's been busy. MTV is downsizing its scripted
presence and moving even more strongly into unscripted
programming, focusing on series with strong, buzzy reality
characters. VH1, meanwhile, will also continue to air an
amped-up slate of unscripted shows, including music docs
and the recent expansion of its top-rated Love & Hip-Hop
franchise with " Love & Hip-Hop: Miami, " slated to debut in
January.
84. G. Wayne Davis
SVP, Human Resources,
Technology & Product
Comcast Cable
Shortly after joining the T&P business
unit of Comcast Cable in early
2016, Davis led the organization
through a complex restructuring
and implemented an HR team model with a five-year
roadmap to enhance the career experience for all 5,000
T+P employees at every stage of their careers. Davis'
inclusive and collaborative approach has resulted in highperforming
teams reflecting diverse viewpoints. " Our real
opportunity in the industry is focusing on how we can
enhance our work environments to become more inclusive
of individuals with a wide range of lifestyle, culture, and
social perspectives, " he says.
September 2017
Cablefax: The Magazine
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