Susan Packard

As a co-founder of Home & Garden Television in 1994, Susan Packard is recognized as a media pioneer, innovator and mentor.

Under Susan’s leadership as chief operating officer, HGTV became one of the fastest-growing cable networks ever and is now available in more than 92 million U.S. homes and distributed in 170 countries and nations. Susan has  been instrumental in the development of four additional powerhouse brands – Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living TV Network and Great American Country (GAC) – that join HGTV to comprise Scripps Networks, the leader in lifestyle media and a division of The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks and interactive media.

Susan came to HGTV well established as an industry leader, having spearheaded key initiatives at HBO and helped to found CNBC. She draws praise and recognition as one of the most influential women in the industry, including accolades such as “Woman of the Year in Cable Television.”

Susan is active in national and local business and community affairs and received the E.W. Scripps William R. Burleigh Award for distinguished community service. She is chair of the East Tennessee YMCA board of directors, lectures at universities and is an advisor to Casa de Sara, an organization that fosters the education and healthcare of children and their families in Bolivia. She also participates in job training programs for the homeless.

In 2004 Susan became the first woman elected to serve on the board of directors of Churchill Downs Inc. (the Kentucky Derby).

Notables:

• “Woman of the Year” – Women in Cable & Telecommunications (WICT)
• “One of the 12 to Watch” – Electronic Media
• “12 Most Powerful Women in Cable” – Cablevision Magazine
• “The Most Influential Women in Cable” – CableWorld Magazine
• Inducted into Cable TV Pioneers Hall of Fame
• Member, Board of Directors, Churchill Downs Inc.
• Profiled as media entrepreneur in Contemporary Economics textbook
• Profiled in the book Modern Visionaries

MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:
Now What? Innovating Ideas Into Icons
So you have a great idea – how does that become a great brand and great business worth over $5 billion? Learn how HGTV changed how we envision our homes and, in the process, established a leading multimedia enterprise and a new model for business innovation and success.

Feels Like Home: Nurturing Great Workplace Cultures
A company’s core values are the blueprint for what the company stands for and how its employees do business and treat one another. Learn how the founders of HGTV built and maintain their exceptional culture through core values and work-life programs.

The Leader Within: Best Practices of Women in Charge
Women leaders are often today’s workplace pioneers, forging their way to success. Learn how ordinary women have risen to become extraordinary CEOs of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, establish and apply their leadership principles and define their success.

The Leader Within: Growing Your Leadership Team
Hear from the co-founder of HGTV, CNBC and other leading cable networks how to build a winning and  collaborative team, how to foster innovation and how to instill the right principles that will drive business success.

The Work-Life Balance Conundrum: Keeping the Balls in the Air
Everyone strives for a healthy work-life balance, but women have unique challenges. Learn how some of the busiest women in business reduce stress and discover balance.

Doing Good: Corporate Social Responsibility
Companies realize that doing good pays off for them in multiple ways. Learn about the socially responsible practices of successful companies, why social responsibility is a hot topic in the boardroom and how it impacts the female workforce.