It’s thanks to O’Brian’s leadership that Al Jazeera America has rapidly achieved a unique brand definition, crucial distribution deals and a highly committed and tireless editorial team. Devoted to spreading values with a deep social consciousness, O’Brian fears no challenge. “Making choices that force you to grow is the key for me,” she says. “If you are not challenging yourself you are not growing. Real success isn’t about money or recognition as much as it is about learning and growth.”

How do you define a successful career?

A successful career is one that is constantly evolving. Making choices that force you to grow is the key for me. If you are not challenging yourself you are not growing. Real success isn’t about money or recognition as much as it is about learning and growth.

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

Listening to your family and friends; they will let you know when you are off balance. A regular date night with your partner helps, too.

When not in the office, where are we most likely to find you?

Traveling with my family, at the movies, or with my nose in a novel.

The Daily

Subscribe

Next Frontier: CableLabs Explores More than Speed Connectivity Era

Internet speed records are all the rage these days, with two separate breakthroughs making the headlines recently. One is more in the distant future, but the other hits closer to home.

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Sep 11
2025 Faxies Awards Faxies Nominations Open! Final deadline: 4/4/25
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB or hiring for one?
VIEW JOBS

In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors. The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact Carley Ashley, [email protected], for more information about posting a job on the website and our Jobs newsletter, sent twice weekly to 85,000 media professionals.