Under Gellert’s guidance, WE tv’s second season of “Love After Lockup” was expanded by an additional 10 episodes and ended as the No. 1 cable program in Friday night primetime in W18-49 and W25-54. It was the fastest-growing new cable unscripted docuseries this year, followed by the net’s “Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition” in the No. 2 spot. She’s served as a mentor in WICT NY’s Prime Access program and is a founding member of the New York board for Step Up Women’s Network. “To truly increase the number of women represented across linear networks, digital networks, and OTT emerging networks and platforms, the decision-making roles need adjusting,” she says.
What specifically does your company do to support and elevate the women who work there?
I am the executive advisor for our employee resource group supporting parents and caregivers. These active and engaged groups serve as a strong network of support within our organization for women and others as well as a platform for all levels of employees to affect positive change to culture at AMCN.
How can the industry do a better job of recruiting women and ensuring they have a path to senior positions?
Recruiting women and securing their positions as senior executives can only be done with more women in positions of decision making. There are many incredible female leaders throughout the creative community and many of us support each other in our career journeys; but to truly increase the number of women represented across linear networks, digital networks, and OTT emerging networks and platforms, the decision-making roles need adjusting.
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
I would like to say I can look back at my choices since I was 13 and identify all the things I wish I knew then, but that is not the case. You can only be present, accept the various choices you made, and learn from today forward. But, I think I would have at least said, “Be nicer to your parents.”
