Susie Fogelson

Fogelson leads marketing and messaging for Food Network and Cooking Channel and is credited with the evolution of the Food Network brand and emergence of Cooking Channel across platforms. As if that wasn’t enough to fill her plate, Fogelson is also a longtime judge on “Food Network Star.” She carries the food theme beyond work. “Cooking dinner for my family or friends is my favorite way to unwind, especially with a glass of wine and some tunes.”

What’s the most important aspect of mentoring?

You should make the time spent with your mentee meaningful and not just half-listen or participate by rote. It helps to be as specific, focused and reasonable about setting goals for them to accomplish.

What/who inspires you at work? What/who inspires you outside the office?

My team inspires me. I marvel at how they’re able to operate at such a high level of expertise and still be flexible enough to build off of one another seamlessly. Outside of the office it’s my daughters who inspire me most. I can’t be self-absorbed, stressed out or pessimistic with them around because they demand my attention and draw me into their quirky, imaginative, free-spirited world.

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance? \

Take a real vacation and travel–see the world if you can! You will come back a wiser, more multi-dimensional, more life-affirming person and you’ll be that much more valuable at work.

Your favorite trick for unwinding?  

Cooking dinner for my family or friends is my favorite way to unwind, especially with a glass of wine and some tunes.