Tanya Lopez

With Lopez at the helm of Lifetime’s movie strategy, the network has attracted big talent – and strong ratings performances to match. Like the film “Five,” an award-winning anthology of shorts directed by Jennifer Aniston, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore, Patty Jenkins and Penelope Spheeris. And this year, the TV adaptation of “Steel Magnolias” was the third-most-watched telecast in network history. Lopez was drawn to cable by the woman who hired her at Lifetime: Susanne Daniels. “At the time, she was trying something different for herself and it inspired me to take a risk,” she says. “Being a part of creating meaningful programming by and for women is both scary and exciting all at the same time. That’s what makes each day an adventure.”