Sara Clarke

Clarke’s instinct when it comes to analyzing and strategizing Showtime’s operating and financial objectives has helped the company to sustain subscriber growth and exceed performance targets. As Showtime continues to expand this year, she will lead her team in applying technology-driven solutions to increase the flow of information and ideas throughout the organization even further. Among questions the industry should be asking to better its diversity efforts, Clarke cites, “how effectively are we measuring and magnifying our achievements to date as a diverse and inclusive industry?” and “what specific managerial, operational and employee engagement practices will ensure we not only attract but retain a more inclusive workforce?”

What does your company/organization do to ensure all employees feel included?
Showtime offers a wide and expanding range of initiatives to ensure employees feel included. In June, we enjoyed a “SHO Your Pride” Leadership panel with colleagues from the LGBTQ community, and an educational forum with GLAAD regarding transgender representation in storytelling. A cross-functional group of employees felt empowered to create a new multicultural marketing unit to improve our engagement with diverse audiences.

How can diversity be better incorporated into the recruiting process?
Those responsible for recruiting at all levels would be wise to cultivate wider, deeper networks that span a broad range of universities, inclusion-driven industry affiliations (such as NAMIC, WICT and T. Howard, for example), and not limit their search to who knows whom within a tight, homogenous circle of friends and business associates (and/or the relatives of that tight circle).

What questions is the industry not yet asking in its efforts to be more diverse and inclusive that it should be?
How effectively are we measuring and magnifying our achievements to date as a diverse and inclusive industry? What specific managerial, operational and employee engagement practices will ensure we not only attract but retain a more inclusive workforce? How can we hold ourselves more accountable when diverse talent leaves the organization, particularly those among the middle layer who may have been discouraged by the lack of diversity across the senior leadership ranks?

Which current television show/s best embrace diversity?
Showtime has sustained a commitment to diverse programming showcasing a wide range of perspectives. I am proud of and personally enjoy such original series as “The Chi,” “Black Monday,” “Billions” and “The L Word” (original cast and eager for forthcoming “Generation Q”!). “Desus & Mero” have brought a fresh take to late night with illustrious and diverse guests, and our unscripted docu-series such as “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men” and “Shut Up and Dribble” are excellent.

Honored For: