The Why: Barney played a key role in expanding the reach of discovery+ in the U.S. through launches on Sling TV, DISH TV and DirecTV, and she drove new business opportunities overseeing WBD’s distribution strategy in Canada. Internally, she’s focused on building teams with rich, cultural, ethnic, age and geographical diversity represented in management, sales and support levels. She also sets a strong example for DEI evolution as a mentor and volunteer.
She Says… “When I first started, the focus was really just on diversity (i.e., the number of diverse individuals). Over the years, the focus has shifted to include the “E” and the “I.”
Place I would love to retire to: Spain! I just spent two weeks there on vacation and loved it!
How have attitudes about DEI changed since you began your career? When I first started, the focus was really just on diversity (i.e., the number of diverse individuals). Over the years, the focus has shifted to include the “E” and the “I”—the equity and inclusion pieces. Among other things, the shift is allowing and encouraging individuals to bring their authentic selves to work, which is so great!
First job in the industry: My first job in the industry was as a content acquisition lawyer at DirecTV. I did not have any experience in the business but DirecTV was taking equity interests in channels at the time (during the dot com boom), so I was hired for my corporate legal experience. I learned the business on the fly and then moved over from the legal side to the business side about ten years into my career.
