Wendy McMahon is a veteran media executive and transformational leader who most recently served as President and CEO of CBS News, CBS Stations and CBS Media Ventures. Previously, she led ABC Owned Television Stations, building and scaling new businesses, brands and platforms across broadcast, streaming and digital media.

Today, McMahon advises companies including beehiiv and Merzigo on growth, content and brand strategy, bringing an operator’s perspective to a media industry undergoing profound change. Her work now focuses on the rapidly evolving intersection of traditional and creator-led media—and the opportunity to bring the best of both together. She is particularly interested in new models for sustainable journalism, how trust is built with audiences, and how technology, data and emerging platforms are changing the way stories are told, distributed and monetized.

A Senior Fellow at USC Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, Wendy is a 2026 NATPE Cause + Action Honoree and recipient of the 2024 Giant of Broadcasting Award and NAB Digital Leader of the Year distinction. She has also been included in the Variety 500 and Women’s Impact Report, received the WICT LEA Award, and been named Wonder Woman of Los Angeles by Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable.