Hellman continues to raise the bar at Spectrum News, challenging everyone to go the extra mile to ensure communities are served with in-depth local coverage. She’s done so while Spectrum News has continued to grow, recently becoming available to Comcast customers in Connecticut, northern New Jersey, Orlando and Tampa. 2025 also saw the launch of channels in Georgia, Michigan and Alabama as well as the debut of Spanish-language network Spectrum Noticias. Hellman continues to sponsor partnerships with universities to allow journalism students to receive feedback from Spectrum News team members.
If you could bring one female historical figure into today’s corporate world, who do you think would thrive and why? I think Katherine Johnson would brilliantly meet this moment. I believe we make the best decisions when we start with understanding the data. Katherine’s extraordinary analytical mind and passion for a similarly data-informed approach would help her run a smart, agile business. Her boundless curiosity and relentless persistence in the face of obstacles would also position her as an innovative leader who could nimbly navigate an ever-evolving corporate landscape.
What’s a piece of advice you ignored that you’re glad you did in hindsight? Earlier in my career, I had a manager who didn’t mince words and, bluntly, told me to care about people less, as if caring for colleagues was antithetical to successful business. I’ve found that the opposite is true: Leaders are more effective, and run better businesses, when they authentically connect with their colleagues—not just as employees, but as human beings. Understanding your team and the people who work alongside and above you is vital, because businesses thrive when everyone feels heard, understood, and aligned with the company’s mission.
What is the one piece of advice you would give young women entering the business world today? Stay curious and never stop learning. The business world is constantly changing, and if you’re not staying ahead of the curve, you’re falling behind. Be an avid student of your industry and other fields that may spark inspiration (even if they don’t seem directly related to your current role). Learn from your colleagues and peers at other companies, expand your worldview, and remain open to innovative ideas and points of view.