Leslie Ellis

Ellis, the mastermind behind the weekly “Translation Please” column, has been a cable mainstay for more than two decades. She is the expert in demystifying commonly used cable and broadband technology terms. Ellis started in the cable industry in 1987, writing hardware and software manuals for an advertising insertion company. Outside of cable, she’s a beekeeper, co-founder of the Women Who Bee beekeeping club, and the executive producer of the documentary film “Bee People,” released in 2012, which encourages everyday people to become backyard beekeepers to help pollination with “a beehive every two miles.”

What’s been the biggest story in cable this year?

…The merger. Which one, you ask? Yes. 😉

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

Five words: “That doesn’t work for me.” We women tend to over-explain why we can’t do this or that. “I can’t because I have to take the dogs to the vet/my car just stopped working/I’m on multiple deadlines.” Bonus points for saying the five words without a preceding “Sorry, but.” Works best with an alternative: “That doesn’t work for me, but next Tuesday at 2 does.”

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

Out walking the dogs, attempting to stay standing on a surfboard for more than 15 seconds, or nurturing the beehives and “Women Who Bee” beekeeping club.