Kathy Payne

Upon joining Suddenlink in early 2014, Payne immediately became one of the company’s three most senior-ranking women. During the past year, she’s overseen some of the most demanding contract and retransmission negotiations in the company’s history. As the embodiment of tough negotiating skills, likability, and credibility, Payne has earned considerable respect across the cable industry, which has only increased her ability to get things done. “I love mentoring because I learn as much from my mentees as, hopefully, they learn from me,” she says.

What’s the most important aspect of mentoring?

Be engaged and show up fully. I love mentoring because I learn as much from my mentees as, hopefully, they learn from me. It’s a great opportunity to see what is important to a different age group and to learn from someone who has a different area of expertise. I just hope my experience and my lessons learned can help them grow.

What/who inspires you at work?

I am always inspired by our CFO Mary Meduski. She is incredibly smart and has this great gift of always asking the right questions, coming to decisions quickly and then always having your back. She is truly an inspiration.

What/who inspires you outside the office?

My family keeps me grounded and adventurous. My daughters, Kendall and Halle, are both in college now and they help me understand millennials and keep me laughing. My husband, David, keeps me active and always gives me perspective.

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

Stay in the moment and remember that there are always hills and valleys. Nothing is all bad or all good and most things ultimately fall back in balance. Exercise and meditation always help everything.