Sena Fitzmaurice

VP, Government Communications, Comcast Corp.

Fitzmaurice is responsible for Comcast’s communication with national audiences on all federal, regulatory and legislative issues. She’s led the strategy and execution of the company’s communications with audiences through mergers and acquisitions, including the Comcast NBCUniversal transition as well as major legislative actions and regulatory events. An advocate for the advancement of women not only at Comcast but across the industry, Fitzmaurice values leadership skills and is constantly working to develop female leaders through mentoring. She believes women made big strides in this year’s political coverage on TV. “It’s not ‘The Boys on the Bus’ anymore,” Fitzmaurice says.

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?

Study computer science. And you’ll always remember the personal stuff you missed for a work event, but you won’t remember what the work event was.

Which current programming best reflects the kind of women’s roles you like to see and why?

Coming from Washington, I have a different take on this – most of what I’ve been watching lately is the news, and it has been so great to see so much of the political coverage (especially at NBC News and MSNBC) led by amazing women reporters who have been indefatigable on the trail.  It’s not “The Boys on the Bus” anymore – and it’s not just at NBC News, CNN is also notable for how many of the reporters on the trail this year are women.

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

Regulation, regulation, regulation. Unfortunately, the biggest story is the FCC and actions they are taking that will likely harm innovation and investment in the industry, and hurt the new Golden Age of television we are experiencing.