Frances Berwick

One of the busiest execs in cable, Berwick oversees the daily operations for NBCU nets Bravo, Oxygen, E! and Esquire. In 2015, she unveiled a diversified slate of new programming, including 10 new and four returning series. “Cable has always been fairly gender-agnostic relative to other industries and even other parts of the entertainment business, and many of us have had the benefit of strong, smart female leaders and role models” Berwick says. “However, we’re still under-represented in certain areas.”

Where are the biggest growth areas for women in cable?

Cable has always been fairly gender-agnostic relative to other industries and even other parts of the entertainment business, and many of us have had the benefit of strong, smart female leaders and role models. However we’re still under-represented in certain areas. I feel good about the number of senior female managers in digital at the NBCU Lifestyle Networks, but there’s still more we can do here and in the tech side of cable, and frankly improving diversity across the board.

What’s the most important aspect of mentoring? 

Mentoring is a two-way communication – you are both learning as much about each other’s POV, experience, life stage, background or world, and both growing from that process of sharing.

Your favorite trick for unwinding?

The quickest way for me to unwind is watching “Impractical Jokers” with my son and seeing him ROFL.