Hestia Lei

Lei leads the LA-based team that sets the marketing development and strategy for AT&T U-verse TV, and she directs AT&T U-verse TV’s transactional sports, linear and premium pay unit strategy, generating in excess of $500 million in 2014. She was one of only 30 leaders across AT&T selected for the 2014 General Managers’ Accelerated Development Program, and delivered the company’s best PPV fight yet with Mayweather vs. Pacquaio fight in May.

Where are the biggest growth areas for women in cable?

I see a few key areas of growth in our industry: Big Data, Internet of Things & Cloud, which will open new doors for both women, millennial & centennials in our workforce as connectivity will play a bigger role in our lives.

What’s the most important aspect of mentoring?

As a strong advocate for informal & formal mentorship programs, the most important aspect is to remember “you get what you put into” the mentorship – it is a reciprocal relationship as I always look to learn from the mentee for their fresh insight.

 What/who inspires you at work? What/who inspires you outside the office?

Over my career, I have been fortunate to be able to “engineer” as well as “optimize” marketing programs adopting best practices such as the launch of AT&T’s U-verse. Outside of work, my 3 year old toddler inspires me because I get to see the world through his new set of lens.

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

It is vital to take 10-15 minutes for yourself each day: even if it is sitting in my backyard quietly or walking in the neighborhood after work.

Your favorite trick for unwinding?

A nice long run always clears my mindset!