Warner Bros. Discovery: Empowered Women, Empower Women

In today's rapidly evolving world, one of the most essential leadership skills is learning to embrace the unknown. Take it from Erica Banks, VP of Software Engineering at CNN — who doesn't shy away from uncertainty but finds opportunity in the unexpected. In this episode, we explore how leaders can lead with confidence in the face of ambiguity and navigate the dynamic media technology environment. If you're looking to step up your leadership game, this conversation is a must-listen. 

Machine learning and AI remain hot topics when it comes to shaping the future of tech and content streaming. To kick off a new season of Warner Bros. Discovery's Empowered Women Podcast, we sat down with Deepa Paranjpe, Senior Director of Engineering to talk all things AI/ML. From applications to improved workflows, to the role AI/ML plays in content streaming to the future of tech — we cover it all! If you're a technologist interested in getting into the field of content streaming, this is an episode you won't want to miss.  

When it comes to crafting stories that outlive generations and shape culture, look no further than HBO's drama programming. Creating these narratives, though, is no easy feat — join HBO's VP of Drama Programming, Cela Sutton, on this episode of the Empowered Women Podcast for insights into character development, changes in the industry and the creative process — all while keeping representation and authenticity in mind. Transcript: https://pp-cdn.phenompeople.com/CareerConnectResources/prod/WAMEGLOBAL/documents/Empowered_Women_Episode_18_Transcript-1732724935281.pdf

Every dream job begins with an interview process. In our first-ever video episode of the #EmpoweredWomenPodcast, Jhneall Gardner, podcast host and VP of Talent, deconstructs the art of effective interviewing with Antoinette Miller, Director of Diversity Outreach. From skillfully packaging your experience and navigating tough questions, to demonstrating your impact and successful salary negotiations, this episode is one that's sure to help you ace your next interview!

You know what it takes to make your favorite Food Network recipes, but have you ever wondered what it takes to produce and develop some of your most beloved Food Network shows? Join WBD's VP of Production & Development for Food Content, Patty Suh, on this episode of the Empowered Women Podcast. We break down exactly what it takes to get the best shows to air—fleshing out the concept, finding the right talent, getting to the heart of the story, and bringing it to life.

Executive, technologist, coach, sponsor, and leader. In this installment of "The Women Behind the Launch of Max" series, Sowmya Subramanian (EVP, Engineering) gives us a glimpse into her multi-dimensional role and some of the tools and thinking that have enabled her success. Join us as we explore storytelling and influence, growing yourself as an executive, and the role of machine learning and economics in driving inclusion.

House of the Dragon, Shark Week, March Madness, Chopped, even the nightly news – all on one platform, used by a hundred million globally. How was Max built into the seamless, immersive streaming platform it is today? The WBD Empowered Women podcast is launching a brand new series, “The Women Behind the Launch of Max,” where we take you through the journey to its launch. This episode kicks it off, featuring Deepna Devkar, (GVP Engineering) who takes listeners through her team's role of building the content exploration journey on Max, the importance of unifying teams, empathy in leadership and more.

On this month's edition of the Empowered Women podcast, we're answering all of your burning questions about building your career and leveling up as a leader! Join Jhneall Gardner (VP, Talent) Antoinette Miller (Director, Diversity Outreach) and Dwayne Cash (Director, Talent Acquisition) as they demystify everything from navigating feedback and building your personal brand to connecting with your team and the intersection of influence and authenticity. It's an episode chock-full of brilliant nuggets from three top leaders at WBD.

From Barbie to Batman, Max to Mortal Kombat, CNN to Shark Week and MotorTrend to March Madness, it's a brand new episode featuring the people powering it all. Marcus Mabry (SVP, Digital Editorial and Programming, CNN), Sarah-Mikal Dalusma (Product Manager, Data & Insights) and Steven Flenory (VP, Platform Technology, WB Games) take you behind-the-scenes of creating the world's most successful, beloved products and content at scale. They also dive into their career journeys; the innovation, efforts and accomplishments that ultimately led them to the best team in media and entertainment. From building powerhouse products to powerhouse careers, this installment of Empowered Women unpacks it all.

WBD Director of Engineering Nalini Sankaranarayanan joins us from our Bangalore Tech hub for a deep dive into the world of the media supply chain. Nalini and her team work incredibly closely with WBD content, and she delves into how her work supports what ultimately ends up on our screens. Everything from the initial greenlighting stage, to distribution and reversioning content for multiple languages and geographies. She and VP of Talent Jhneall Gardner also explore best practices for global teams, determining priorities and much more.

How do you design technology that delivers something as world-shaping as the news? That challenge is one Senior Product Manager Upasna Gautam and Senior Staff Product Designer Vanessa Terrell faced head-on as their teams partnered to rebuild CNN's content management platform. On this episode, they unpack their experience and efforts to empower journalists and product teams with tech that drives the future of essential, sustainable and facts-first storytelling.

You've heard the saying – the only constant in life is change. That's why no matter who you are, this episode is for you! Listen as WBD executives Liesel Kipp (SVP, Global Product Management), Asif Sadiq (Chief Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer) and Jhneall Gardner (VP, Talent) unpack transitions in business, product and careers as a whole, and explore the best ways to navigate them both personally and professionally.

One year ago WBD launched the Empowered Women series to showcase and celebrate the many contributions of women in tech, and to nurture our community of female tech talent. For our anniversary episode, Sowmya Subramanian and Jhneall Gardner are joined by Anjum Afshan, Director, Technical Management of WBD and Maya Perkins, Former Stakeholder Engagement Manager of Meta to explore the theme of “Dream It & Own It” – what that principle means to them and how it has influenced their careers and life journeys.

For this very special episode, Sowmya Subramanian and Jhneall Gardner sit down with the one and only Tuma Basa! Tuma – currently Director of Black Music & Culture at YouTube – is the creator of the renowned Spotify RapCaviar playlist and helped to revolutionize the role of curation for music consumption. Sowmya, Jhneall and Tuma unpack content curation, allyship, career transitions, and much more in this exciting Black History Month edition of the Empowered Women podcast.

In celebration of WBD's partnership with AfroTech, this installment features a conversation with WBD executives Lisa Garnett-Willis (GVP, Global Technical Program Management & Partner Integration), Renard Jenkins (SVP, Production Integration & Creative Technology Services), and Adib Kadir (Head of Product & Design, MotorTrend Group). They delve into their worlds as technologists in streaming, as well as culture and community and what it means to them at WBD and beyond. 

Julie Ann Crommett, contributor to films like COCO, SOUL, and BLACK PANTHER, joins us to discuss all things content, inclusion, and tech- and how her Latinidad has influenced her career. Julie is accompanied by WBD EVP of Engineering, Sowmya Subramanian, for this very special conversation commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month!

Identity, security, and privacy: these are the buzzy (and touchy!) topics that have been around since the dawn of the Internet - and yet the conversation around them just keeps getting more complex. Join us as we discuss what it means to scale all three by design.

Being trusted to lead others is exciting and hugely rewarding. It is also one of the most challenging and complex experiences we will face in our careers. At each level, whether promoted or hired into our new leadership role, we're presented with more complex and unpredictable challenges that require us to unlock a different set of skills within ourselves and others. Join our panel of leaders from across WBD as they unpack the experiences and lessons that have helped them evolve into the leaders they are today.

As an industry, user engagement and subscriber growth are primary measures of success, and creating captivating content is only one-half of the equation. Let's talk about the other half: The Product Experience. Building user-intuitive and intelligent products are fundamental to growth, promoting retention, and preventing churn. Join Warner Bros. Discovery's Product and Engineering Leaders as they unpack Product Led Growth – what it is, its fundamentals, and why it matters.

What is Machine Learning in the world of content streaming? At Warner Bros. Discovery ML is a cross-functional effort where Al meets human ingenuity. Starting with a business problem and collaborating across data, engineering, and applied science, improving all facets of the customer journey and experience. Join our team, as we dive into various career paths and how we're using ML to solve complex problems.