Creating a comprehensive employment engagement program—including leadership assessments, cultural health checkups and focus groups—is among McClendon’s most notable recent accomplishments. She also implemented all-hands meetings to educate the staff on business successes and challenges while recognizing employee achievements, and with her team created a cohort program to develop the region’s frontline into leaders while continuing to evolve internal talent management. McClendon says one way to promote diversity and inclusion is to make sure programming is “reflective of our society, which consists of a multitude of ethnicities and identities.”

A February 2018 UCLA study revealed that of the 45 new scripted shows approved for 2017-18 across broadcast, cable and digital platforms, only four were from creators of color, all of whom were black. What is your reaction to this report?
We obviously still have a long way to go in terms of making progress in the areas of diversity and inclusion and understanding that our programming should be reflective of our society, which consists of a multitude of ethnicities and identities.

What’s a recent example of a step forward for diversity in the industry?
The recent appointment of Dana Strong as president of consumer services for Comcast. It’s wonderful to see a woman reach that level within our company. She also brings a very diverse background of professional and personal experiences.

If there were a reality show based on your office, what would it be called?
“The Determined, the Driven & the Drowsy”