Christina Norman
Title: CEO, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network
Education: BA, Boston U

Why Her? One word: Oprah. When the queen of all media lured Norman away from MTV to run OWN, those of us who witnessed Norman’s intelligence and grace over the years collectively nodded our heads in agreement. She’s right for the job. Of course, OWN faces challenges — including personnel and strategy shifts — but it helps that the net set a solid launch date of Jan ’11. And with Oprah leaving her syndicated show behind, she’ll likely be working more closely with Norman as OWN prepares for the next year.

Worth Watching: Will the network mirror the spiritual and self-help bent of Oprah’s Sirius XM satellite radio channel — or go a different direction?

Year Ahead:

Norman must move quickly to solidify strategy and work with the Discovery brass in 2010. It won’t be easy.

Prediction for Cable in 2010: We will see more powerful partnerships that will continue to transform the business. Cable is the best place for creative freedom and for taking risks.

Trait I Most Admire in People: Perseverance

3 Things I’d Take to a Deserted Island: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill and sunblock.

Favorite Show Not on OWN: Rescue Me (It makes me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time).