Leading with Purpose: Insights from Women Shaping the Future of Media

At the NAB "Leaders in Media" session, seasoned executives shared their hard-won lessons on leadership, career growth, mentorship, and personal balance. Moderated by Nicole Gallagher, the conversation offered a compelling look at how today's media leaders are navigating change, empowering teams, and building meaningful careers.

The 25% Rule: Growth Over Comfort

"You only need to know 25% of the new job you're applying for," one speaker advised. "If you know more than 50%, you're too late. You should've had that job 2-3 years ago." It was a powerful reminder that true career growth happens outside of our comfort zones. The panel emphasized that no career decision is final — each move is just the next step, not the last.

Lucy Rutishauser: Mentorship, Crisis, and Leadership Style

Lucy Rutishauser, CFO at Sinclair Broadcast Group, shared a nuanced view on mentorship and leadership development. She launched Sinclair's first official mentorship program, a selective initiative where both mentees and mentors must be nominated and vetted. Her advice? "Mentorship isn't about giving answers — it's about helping someone discover them for themselves."

Though she never had a formal mentor herself, Rutishauser credited a variety of people for influencing her leadership style, even those she initially clashed with. "Early in my career, I worked for women who were tough and demanding. I didn't enjoy it, but looking back, they taught me the importance of quality work. That lesson stayed with me."

She also drew an unexpected parallel between leadership and The 5 Love Languages. "To lead effectively, you need to communicate in the way your team needs — not the way you prefer. Some people thrive on words of affirmation, others just want the next challenge. It's your job to figure that out."

One of her most defining leadership moments came on a birthday morning in October 2021, when Sinclair was hit by a cyberattack. "My phone was pinging with messages from our CEO and CIO — we were locked out of our systems. In crisis, you don't panic. You set everything aside and focus. Silos disappear. Grudges are forgotten. You're there to lead, not to be right."

Francisca Villegas: Presence, Boundaries, and Living Fully

Francisca Villegas, Principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP, offered a deeply personal reflection on balancing ambition with life beyond work. "In my 30s, I was on the partner track in consulting and also wanted to start a family. I was terrified that stepping away would set me back permanently," she admitted. "But the best advice I got was: Don't forget to live."

She had her son, Lucas, and soon after returning to work, found out she was expecting again. "It took longer to reach some goals, but I have both — a family and a fulfilling career. The job will always be there. Don't put your life on hold."

Francisca also spoke candidly about boundaries. "I was the executive who always had the door open. But I learned that being accessible doesn't mean being available to everyone at every moment. Protect the time that lets you do your best work."

The writing has been enhanced using AI tools but the content and subject topic is 100% human and the work of credited individual.