Liz Dolan
Dolan oversees all brand development, consumer communications, and trade marketing for Fox International Channels’ more than 300 channels in 181 countries. She has been a notable player attached to several key projects including spearheading the international launch of “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” and the launch of the Nat Geo People brand. Dolan feels that women need to credit their success to hard work—not luck. “Men never say that [they] are successful because they got lucky,” she says.
How can cable do better job at supporting the industry’s women?
Right now in Los Angeles, I have the female VP of Marketing from FIC Brazil filling in for a US-based VP who is out on maternity leave. In order for our Brazilian employee to take advantage of this three-month long training opportunity outside of her own country, she needed to bring her two-year-old daughter with her. That means my costs are higher because I am providing health insurance coverage for both of them, plus travel and housing for two. I want to invest in this employee and keep her in the company which means understanding that her life outside of work needs to be accommodated. I have no doubt that this will pay off for the company in the end and that a promising female executive is being given the kind of training that would previously have only gone to a man.
How do you define a successful career?
A successful career is the result of making many choices that put you in an environment where you get satisfaction from the work you do, have a measure of autonomy, work around people that you really like and work for someone who respects the contribution you make. You may have one or two lucky breaks along the way that help this, but many women are too quick to ascribe their success to luck. Men never say that (they) are successful because they got lucky. Women need to stop saying that and own their success more. You chose it!
When not in the office, where are we most likely to find you?
My job requires a huge amount of international travel so when I am at home in Santa Monica, I appreciate everything about it – the beach, the mountains, the ability to live in one of those rare LA neighborhoods that are walkable. Sometimes I go whole weekends never getting in a car. I love that! My dog and I stroll up and down Montana Avenue enjoying every coffee shop and water bowl.