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.”
Nicole Gallagher Photo by Steevens E. Noel
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—a book originally gifted to her as a wedding present for her daughter. “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.”
Her closing advice? Ask thoughtful questions in every meeting. “It’s the people who ask the smart questions I remember. That’s how you stand out.” And finally: don’t doubt yourself. “If you wait until you know 80% of a job to apply, that opportunity has already passed.”
Francisca Villegas: Principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP – Presence, Boundaries, and Living Fully
Francisca Villegas 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 her phone out, one side of my brain always on work. One day I realized I was missing everything.” Her solution? She got two phones—one for work, one for life—and began committing fully to being present in whatever space she was in.
“When I’m with my family, I’m with them. When I’m in a meeting, my camera’s on and I’m fully there. Being present has changed everything—I enjoy both my work and my personal life more.”
She challenged the notion that boundaries mean disengagement. Instead, she framed them as a form of leading from the front—setting an example for others about how to maintain balance without sacrificing excellence.
Key Takeaways:
- Growth happens when you’re slightly underqualified. Apply anyway.
- Great mentorship helps others find their own path, not just follow yours.
- Leadership requires adapting your style to the people you manage.
- Crisis reveals character—stay calm, stay focused, drop the ego.
- You don’t need to sacrifice personal milestones for professional success.
- Presence is power. Show up—fully—for your team, your family, and yourself.
These women aren’t just leading companies—they’re reshaping what it means to lead with purpose in the modern world.